Summary

Pokemon Legends Z-Asneaked up on a lot of fans expecting to hear Johto and Unova news on Pokemon Day rather than a new Kalos title, but the game may very well turn out to be even more successful thanPokemon Legends: Arceus. One of the main reasons why the game can be a huge hit is thatPokemon Legends Z-Aincludes Mega Evolutions, which is arguably the most beloved gimmick in the franchise and one that fans have asked multiple times to be brought back into new titles. Another reason why some fans are excited aboutPokemon Legends Z-Ais that its release window may align with that of the Switch 2, with rumors surfacing online pushing for this theory.

There are pros and cons ofPokemon Legends Z-Alaunching on the Switch 2, with the pros far outweighing any cons - especially if thinking about the possibility of next-genPokemongames after the problematic launch of Gen 9. The situation is much more complex than that, though, as the Nintendo Switch 2 (or whatever its final name may be) has yet to be officially announced as a new console, let alone its release window or even release date, and everything about it must be taken with a pinch of salt.

pokemon legends za vertical

The Nintendo Switch 2’s Release Rumors Explained

For starters, the Nintendo Switch 2 was supposed to be revealed in March 2024 according to recent rumors, and possibly released in the Fall of this year. More recently, the narrative changed, and it seems that theNintendo Switch 2 will launch sometime in Q1 of 2025, according to credible sources. The console could be revealed as early as June 2024, but its release window is up in the air considering how it could be released between January and April, possibly even May of next year.

How Pokemon Legends Z-A’s Release Window Compares to The Switch 2’s

That’s all if the rumors are actually true. At the same time, all that fans currently know aboutPokemon Legends Z-A’s releaseis that it will come at some point in 2025. This may or may not align with the alleged release of the Switch 2, which based on current rumors would make for a great launch in March of next year due to the eighth anniversary of the original console. Aside from a few exceptions,Pokemongames tend to launch in November, a tradition that has been going on for a long time.Pokemon Legends: Arceuscame in January of 2022, after Gen 4 remakes in November 2021, and before Gen 9 in November 2022, which doesn’t guaranteePokemon Legends Z-Awill do the same.

Why The Pokemon Legends Z-A and Switch 2 Rumors Don’t Hold Up

Pokemon Legends Z-A and The Switch 2’s Release Date Rumors Explained

In fact, the end of 2021 and 2022 were packed withPokemonreleases, so whilePokemon Legends: Arceusdoes set a precedent for new titles to release outside of November, it may have been the byproduct of other titles taking that spot. IfPokemonGen 10 games are moved to 2026 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the franchise, for example, then it seems likely thatPokemon Legends Z-Awill be released in November 2025. This is all speculation, and it’s also not counting the important fact that typically Nintendo hardware doesn’t launch withPokemongames.

As such, while it theoretically makes sense to associate the two based on the 2025 window, it’s most likely that theNintendo Switch 2 andPokemon Legends Z-Awill not come in pairs. This doesn’t mean that ifPokemon Legends Z-Acomes first it won’t be optimized for the Switch 2, for example, as that seems a very plausible scenario regardless. Right now, there is not much going on about these rumors, though, and fans will have to wait and see in the coming months.

Pokemon Legends Z-A

The sequel to Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Legends: Z-A takes Pokemon trainers back to the Kalos region’s Lumiose City.