The Pokémon Company has revealed the release date for the next big Pokémon game, as well as the game’s official cover art. Pokémon Legends: Z-A will release on October 16, for Nintendo Switch as well as Switch 2.
Pre-orders begin June 5 on the Nintendo eShop.
The new cover art goes hard on showcasing Mega Evolutions, along with the urban setting. Mega Evolution, first introduced in Pokemon X and Y, remains the most popular of the new gimmicks across the last several generations. Mega Evolution allows players to transform their favorite Pokemon into powerful super-forms during battle.
Z-A is set in Lumiose City, the hub city of Pokémon X and Y. As a follow-up to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Z-A blends real-time action with classic Pokémon catching and battling.
In case you haven’t nabbed a Switch 2 by October, you can still get the Switch version of Z-A, and purchase an upgrade pack for Switch 2. The upgrade pack will update the game to the Switch 2 version, and will be available on the Nintendo eShop and My Nintendo Store.
There’s no set price for upgrade packs, as it depends on how much new content is added in the Switch 2 version. According to the official Nintendo website, the Switch 2 version of Pokémon Legends: Z-A only brings “improved performance with higher frame rate and resolution.” Safe to say the Switch 2 upgrade pack will be priced similar to Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, at $9.99.
The Pokémon Company also announced the date for the next Pokémon Presents: July 22. Expect a new trailer, new story details, and more.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A will release on October 16.
