The Pokémon Company has announced the official release date for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, as well as differences between the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions of the game.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A will release on October 16, which is a safe time to release a Pokémon game, and an area of the year that The Pokémon Company and Nintendo have happily released Pokémon games over the past years.

For those who will already own a Nintendo Switch 2, or will be picking up a Nintendo Switch 2 after the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the game will get some upgrades from the NS1 version. On Nintendo Switch 2, trainers will experience “improved graphics and frame rates.” However, Nintendo or The Pokémon Company have yet to share the extent of those upgrades.

If you plan on picking up Pokémon Legends: Z-A for the Nintendo Switch and upgrading to the Nintendo Switch 2 sometime early in 2026, or hoping Santa will bring you one, you’ll be able to upgrade for $20 to the Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game.

Nintendo has also announced a July 2025 Pokémon Direct today, which will be sure to feature some more Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Are you excited for Pokémon Legends: Z-A? Let me know in the comments section below.