Pokémon Legends: Z-A launches on October 16th; Pokémon Presents announced for July

With the Nintendo Switch 2 releasing in just a week, The Pokémon Company has made a couple of major announcements regarding the Pokémon series. First up: the release date for Pokémon Legends: Z-A! The very first Pokémon game on Nintendo Switch 2 will launch on October 16th worldwide (alongside the Nintendo Switch version).

Pre-orders for both versions of the game will launch on June 5th on the Nintendo eShop, with retail version following on July 23rd (at least, in Japan). If you’re planning to get the Nintendo Switch version first, don’t worry: you will be able to buy an upgrade pack for the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, regardless of the format you chose (physical or digital).

Players who purchase either the physical or digital version of Pokémon Legends: Z-A for Nintendo Switch will have the option to upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition by purchasing an upgrade pack. Upgrade packs will be available on Nintendo eShop and My Nintendo Store.

Here’s the boxart for both versions:

The Pokémon Company also shared the full version of the key art, which is used on the box:

The cover art has also been unveiled, featuring the game’s main characters and their partner Pokémon battling a Mega-Evolved Pokémon at night in Lumiose City.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a new frontier for the Pokémon video game series, blending an RPG story unfolding in a single city with action elements and a real-time battle system unlike anything seen before in the franchise. Trainers can look forward to the beginning of a new adventure in Lumiose City—one woven by people and Pokémon together!​

Finally, The Pokémon Company announced that the latest Pokémon Presents will be livestreamed on July 22nd. It’s where we should get the latest news about Pokémon Legends: Z-A, but also other Pokémon games (like those on mobile), the TCG, and multimedia projects.

It will be livestreamed on YouTube and other platforms at the following time:

• Europe: 3PM
• UK: 2PM
• North America (ET): 9AM
• North America (PT): 6AM
• Japan: 10PM

Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Switch, Switch 2) comes out on October 16th worldwide.

Source: The Pokémon Company PR (28/05/2025)