GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.
Pokemon fans can return to the Kalos region on October 16 when Pokemon Legends: Z-A launches on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. The Pokemon Company officially revealed the Switch 2 edition of the highly anticipated sequel last week. Rather fittingly, Pokemon Legends: Z-A preorders opened the same day Nintendo’s new console launched (June 5). Preorders are available for both editions at Walmart and Best Buy.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A retails for $60 on Nintendo Switch and $70 for Switch 2. Interestingly, the URLs for Walmart’s new store pages for both editions mentions an exclusive gift; at the moment, the store page doesn’t mention the freebie, so it’s possible the URL is wrong about this. We’ll update with more details as we learn more.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Preorder Bonuses
Though Pokemon games have received in-game preorder bonuses in the past, the majority of Nintendo’s first-party games don’t come with official bonuses. Instead, retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop sometimes compete with each other by offering exclusive trinkets. It remains to be seen if any other major retailers will offer a unique bonus.
If you preorder at the Pokemon Center in the US, Canada, or UK, you’ll be eligible for a random Pokemon Sitting Cuties plush. Options include Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A for Switch 2
$70 | Releases October 16
The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Pokemon Legends: Z-A costs $70 and is up for preorder at Walmart and Best Buy. Preorders should be available at Target and GameStop in the coming days. Since this is a first-party Nintendo game, it’s not surprising that the full game will be on the game card.
Walmart’s URL for the Switch 2 edition also includes a mention to the currently unknown exclusive gift.
Like other games with separate versions for the old and new Switch consoles, Pokemon Legends: Z-A will take advantage of the Switch 2’s superior tech to offer improved overall performance, including higher frame rates and resolution.
If you purchase the Switch edition and decide you want to upgrade down the road when you buy the Switch 2, you can purchase a $10 upgrade pack from the eShop or a major retailer.
The digital version of Z-A is also available to preorder from Best Buy.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus had some slowdown, general choppiness, and pop-in on Switch, so it will be interesting to see how Z-A runs on original hardware compared to Switch 2. Hopefully the gap between the two isn’t as wide as what we’re seeing with Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. The latest mainline Pokemon games had rather extreme performance issues on Switch, but the free Switch 2 update has the open-world Pokemon adventure running at 1080p at 60fps.
The sequel to Pokemon Legends: Arceus takes players back to Kalos, the setting of Gen 6’s Pokemon X and Y for 3DS. The bustling metropolitan setting of Lumiose City will offer a significant change of pace from rolling hills and wilderness in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Your first partner Pokemon will be either Chikorita, Totodile, or Tepig. The streamlined catching system from Arceus will return, so you won’t have to battle every wild Pokemon you encounter before lobbing a Poke Ball at them.
Z-A will also be a major departure in another way: the battle system. The traditional turn-based combat from Arceus and the mainline series will be replaced by a strategic real-time system. You and your partner Pokemon can move during combat encounters–though you’ll still be confined to a specific area. Positioning and timing will impact your success on the battlefield, both when attacking and defending incoming attacks by executing dodges.
Several features return from Arecus, including the ability to throw Poke Balls without needing to enter a battle–streamlining your quest to catch them all.
Along with the new and reworked elements, a familiar system will make its return after a long absence. Mega Evolutions, which last appeared in Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee in 2018, will temporarily turn your partner Pokemon into a super powerful version of itself. Mega Evolutions also alter the appearance of your Pokemon, but only certain species have Mega Evolutions, and you’ll need a Mega Ring and a Pokemon-specific Mega Stone to activate it.
We’ve seen several Mega Evolution Pokemon in trailers so far, including Lucario, Ampharos, and Kangaskhan. Mega Evolutions were originally introduced in Pokemon X and Y, so it’s cool that the return trip to Kalos will also have them.
The Pokemon Company’s next Pokemon Presents is scheduled for July 22, so we’ll likely see more of Z-A during the stream.
Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com
