New Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Legends: Z-A Edition Launches This Fall

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Switch 2 bundle unveiled.

Nintendo of America has officially announced a new hardware and software bundle set to arrive for players this fall. The Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition bundle launches October 16, 2025, the same day as the highly anticipated game’s release.

This special edition bundle includes the next-generation Nintendo Switch 2 system and a full game download of Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, all for a suggested retail price of $499.99. Pre-orders are now live on the My Nintendo Store and at select retailers nationwide.

A New Kind of Pokémon Adventure in Lumiose City

Set in the iconic Lumiose City, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings players back to a region made famous in Pokémon X and Y, but with major changes. Urban redevelopment led by the mysterious Quasartico Inc. has transformed the city into a mix of nature and innovation—complete with wild zones, shops, restaurants, and hidden battle arenas.

Trainers will choose one of three starter Pokémon—Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile—before setting out on a grand new journey filled with familiar faces and fresh challenges. Among the new characters is AZ, the enigmatic owner of Hotel Z, who plays a central role in the city’s transformation.

Real-Time Battles and Mega Evolutions

For the first time in a mainline Pokémon RPG, battles will unfold in real time. Trainers and their Pokémon can move freely in the battlefield, giving players full control of move timing and positioning. This new system replaces traditional turn-based combat, offering a more dynamic experience that rewards strategic swaps and well-timed attacks.

Also returning in a big way is Mega Evolution. Once you acquire a Mega Ring and a Pokémon’s corresponding Mega Stone, you can temporarily power up your Pokémon, altering their stats—and sometimes their type—in the heat of battle.

Rise Through the Ranks in the Z-A Royale

In addition to the main storyline, players can compete nightly in the Z-A Royale—a competition designed to find Lumiose City’s strongest Pokémon Trainer. Battle zones open up each evening, allowing Trainers to show off the skills they’ve sharpened throughout the day in wild zones.

Completing “bonus card” challenges during these battles can help accelerate your progress through the ranks, from Rank Z to the elite Rank A. The top prize? A wish granted—though exactly what that entails remains to be seen.

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