Pokemon Legends: Z-A marks a series of huge milestones for the franchise, including the return of Mega Evolutions and being set in Kalos for the first time since Gen 6. However, even more notable is the fact that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be the first mainline title to release on the Nintendo Switch 2. With the game also releasing on the Switch 1, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is at an interesting cross-gen crossroads where the game will have different features depending on whether players are playing the Switch 1 or Switch 2 Edition of the game.
Initially, Pokemon Legends: Z-A was announced as a Switch 1 exclusive title, but this was back in 2024, before the Switch 2 was officially announced. Although there were rumors that Legends: Z-A would not be optimized for the new Switch 2 hardware, April’s Nintendo Switch 2 Direct revealed that the game would receive a native Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. With the game slated to release on October 16 for both Switch 1 and Switch 2, understanding the differences between versions and finding the ideal purchase path is becoming increasingly crucial.
Features Exclusive to Pokemon Legends: Z-A on the Switch 2
- Improved Resolution
- Better Frame Rate
- Steeper Price: $69.99
One of the biggest criticisms of the past few Pokemon games on the Switch was their lackluster technical performance. An underpowered Switch console made games like Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet feel limited visually due to the subpar resolution and low frame rates. Legends: Arceus seemed to be able to maintain a fairly consistent 30 FPS, but Scarlet and Violet could dip as low as 15-20 FPS in some parts of the open world. With the Switch 2 update for Scarlet and Violet allowing the game to run at a smooth 60 FPS with denser spawn rates for critters, it’s clear that the new console has the hardware to solve the series’ major performance problems of last gen.
The kicker with the Switch 2 Edition of Pokemon Legends: Z-A is the increased price. It will cost $10 more to purchase the base Switch 2 Edition over the Switch 1 edition of the game, which may make the Switch 1 Edition the better value for players who don’t care as much about technical performance to save a little money.
The Switch 1 Edition of Pokemon Legends: Z-A will still run on the Switch 2 console, just without the performance improvements.
Gameplay Between the Switch 1 and Switch 2 Versions Will Be the Same
For players concerned that they may be missing out on content by sticking with the Switch 1 Edition of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, there will not be any gameplay differences between the two versions. While Pokemon is notorious for locking exclusive content behind multiple versions of a game, such as the Legendary Koraidon being exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet and the Legendary Miraidon being exclusive to Pokemon Violet, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is considered a single version with a cross-gen release to support the Switch 2’s hardware.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Switch 1 Edition and Switch 2 Upgrade Path
- Nintendo Switch 1 Edition: $59.99
- Upgrade from Nintendo Switch 1 to Switch 2 Edition: $9.99
- Nintendo Switch 2 Edition: $69.99
Luckily, the upgrade path offered for players with the Switch 1 version looking to get the Switch 2 improvements is pretty clear-cut. There is a $10 price difference between the two versions, and players who purchase the Switch 1 Edition and later decide they want the Switch 2 Edition only need to pay that price difference to get the enhanced performance features. This way, Nintendo Switch 1 owners can upgrade to the Switch 2 Edition if they get the new console, and Switch 2 owners who don’t mind a lesser technical performance can purchase the Switch 1 Edition and upgrade later if they change their mind and want a smoother performance.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
- Released
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October 16, 2025
- Franchise
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Pokemon
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
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October 16, 2025
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
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October 16, 2025
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