Pokémon Legends Z-A release countdown – Exact start time and date

It’s finally time for another entry to the Pokémon franchise. The Pokémon Company first revealed Pokémon Legends: Z-A back in February 2024, with an official release date now available. It won’t be long after until you can get your hands on this title.

What’s the release date for Pokémon Legends: Z-A?

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is set to hit digital shelves Oct. 16. Although it isn’t launching on the same day as the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo and Game Freak have officially confirmed that it will launch in October, giving you only a few months’ wait until you can purchase a Switch 1 or Switch 2 copy.

This announcement originally came from the official Pokémon Twitter (X) page, announcing that Pokémon Legends: Z-A would arrive on Oct. 16, 2025, on both consoles. While Legends: Z-A will be available on the Switch 1, the Switch 2’s version will have improved graphics and frame rates alongside a slightly higher price tag.

A follow-up post on the official Pokémon Company website highlights that Pokémon Legends: Z-A‘s preorders will also go live on Thursday, June 5, through the Nintendo eShop to ensure you get your copy on day one. Anyone who buys the game’s Switch 1 version can upgrade to the Switch 2 version by purchasing a separate upgrade pack through the Nintendo eShop or the My Nintendo Store.

Before we get Pokémon Legends: Z-A‘s October release, Nintendo and Game Freak are running a Pokémon Presents livestream on July 22, letting you get extra sneak peeks at Z-A‘s gameplay and potentially some new Pokémon arriving with the title. You’ll be able to watch the presentation through the official Pokémon Company YouTube channel. There’s no confirmed start time for the stream yet, so keep your eyes peeled for more details.

At the time of writing, Nintendo hasn’t posted any follow-up details on Z-A‘s gameplay or new characters that’ll arrive in this entry aside from what’s been featured in previous trailers. Nonetheless, we now have a release date, so it’s only a matter of time before more details surface as we approach October.