Pokémon Legends: Z-A Release Date Announced for Nintendo Switch in 2025
Pokémon fans rejoice! The highly anticipated release date for Pokémon Legends: Z-A has finally been announced, and it’s set to launch for the Nintendo Switch in 2025. This exciting news was revealed during the annual Pokémon Day showcase, where the brand lays out its plans for the series in the coming year.
Speculation immediately began swirling about whether this game could be an early title for the rumored sequel to Nintendo’s popular console. While there hasn’t been an official announcement about the new machine, a reference to a “simultaneous” release in the game’s trailer and mentions of multiple “Switch systems” in a tweet from the Pokémon Company have convinced many that the secret is out. However, it remains unclear whether simultaneous release refers to multiple countries or multiple systems, and BBC Newsbeat has reached out to Nintendo for clarification.
The most recent entries in the Pokémon series, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, faced criticism for performance issues after their launch in 2022. Additionally, the release of Palworld earlier this year, described as “Pokémon with guns,” led some fans to suggest that the original series had become stale. However, the response to Pokémon Legends: Z-A has been largely positive so far.
A brief teaser trailer for the game gives fans a glimpse of what’s to come. It opens with a computer-generated Pikachu running through a wireframe version of a city, creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. The camera then cuts to reveal silhouettes of other Pokémon frolicking in various locations, including cafes, plazas, and a river. As the camera pulls back to a bird’s eye-view of the circular city, with a structure resembling the Eiffel Tower at its center, viewers learn that the game is set in Lumiose City. The trailer ends with a rainbow-colored S-shape, a symbol that Pokémon fans instantly recognize as representing mega evolutions. The prospect of this popular feature returning has left many fans thrilled.
In addition to the announcement of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the Pokémon Day showcase also revealed other exciting news for Pokémon enthusiasts. A new app version of the popular Pokémon Trading Card Game was announced, along with updates to Pokémon Go and other spin-offs. These announcements further solidify the brand’s commitment to providing fans with new and engaging experiences across various platforms.
However, the 2025 release date for Pokémon Legends: Z-A means that the Nintendo Switch’s release calendar is looking relatively quiet. While the console recently released Mario Vs. Donkey Kong to generally favorable reviews and has Princess Peach: Showtime! set to arrive in March, Nintendo has yet to announce further in-house titles. Nevertheless, the company has already sold an impressive 140 million Switch consoles since its release in 2017, surpassing the reported 117 million PlayStation 4s sold worldwide.
As fans eagerly await the arrival of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, they can rest assured that the Pokémon franchise continues to evolve and captivate audiences across various platforms. With its rich history and dedicated fanbase, Pokémon remains a beloved and enduring series that shows no signs of slowing down. So mark your calendars for 2025 and get ready to embark on a new Pokémon adventure like never before!