Pokemon Legends Z-A is proving that physical games still have plenty of life left. According to Circana’s retail tracking data, the latest Pokemon adventure achieved the biggest physical game launch in the United States since The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom dropped in May 2023. That’s an impressive feat considering how many major releases have come and gone in the past two and a half years.
Mat Piscatella from Circana confirmed that launch week physical unit and dollar sales for Pokemon Legends Z-A exceeded every other new game since Nintendo’s Zelda sequel. The game moved 5.8 million copies globally in its first week, marking the fifth-best launch in Pokemon series history. While that falls short of Pokemon Legends Arceus’s 6.5 million opening week in 2022, it’s still a massive commercial success by any reasonable standard.
A New Take on Pokemon Combat
Pokemon Legends Z-A takes the franchise in a bold new direction by ditching turn-based combat entirely. For the first time in a mainline Pokemon RPG, battles happen in real-time. You and your Pokemon move around the battlefield simultaneously, executing attacks when you command them rather than waiting for turns to resolve. Strategic timing, positioning, and knowing when to swap Pokemon becomes crucial.
The game is set entirely within Lumiose City from Pokemon X and Y, reimagined with an urban redevelopment plan that blends cutting-edge technology with verdant parks. You choose between Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile as your starter Pokemon and explore every corner of the city built around the iconic Prism Tower. Wild zones scattered throughout let Pokemon roam freely, while shops, restaurants, and other facilities create a living, breathing urban environment.
Mega Evolution Returns as the Star
The centerpiece of Pokemon Legends Z-A is Mega Evolution, the fan-favorite mechanic that disappeared from mainline games after Sword and Shield. During battles, a Mega Evolution gauge fills in the bottom right corner of your screen. Once full, you can press the right stick to temporarily transform your Pokemon into a more powerful form with boosted stats, new appearances, and sometimes even different typing.
The story revolves around investigating Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokemon rampaging across Lumiose City. These dangerous incidents serve as boss battles where you’ll need to master the new combat system. Defeating rogue bosses rewards you with Mega Evolution stones for that species, letting you unlock those transformations for your own team. Over 50 Mega Evolutions appear in the game, including brand new forms never seen before.
Day and Night Structure
Pokemon Legends Z-A establishes a unique rhythm that sets it apart from previous entries. During the day, you catch Pokemon in wild zones, battle rogue Mega-Evolved creatures, complete side quests for city residents, shop, and explore vertical environments by climbing walls and scaling buildings. The city design rewards thorough exploration, with rare Pokemon hiding in unexpected places like rooftops and hidden cafes.
At night, you visit battle zones to take on trainers and complete challenges. These raise your score in the Z-A Royale competition, eventually earning you a Challenger’s Ticket for a promotion match. There are 26 ranks total, one for each letter of the alphabet. Trainers from Rank E onward bring Mega-Evolved Pokemon as their final team member, raising the stakes considerably.
Critical Reception and Review Bombing
Critics have been fairly positive about Pokemon Legends Z-A, with the game earning scores between 78 and 82 on Metacritic depending on the platform. That places it as the second-highest rated Pokemon game on Nintendo Switch, just behind Pokemon Legends Arceus’s 83 score. Reviews praised the real-time combat system, the return of Mega Evolution, and how densely packed Lumiose City feels with activities.
However, critics also pointed out weaknesses. The single-city setting can feel visually restrictive and samey after extended play. Graphics remain a sore spot, with performance issues on the original Switch and lackluster visuals compared to other modern games. The pacing occasionally drags, and some felt the Z-A Royale ranking system could have been more fleshed out as a proper competitive mode.
User Scores Tell a Different Story
While critics gave mostly positive reviews, players have been far more divided. The game is currently being review bombed on Metacritic, with user scores sitting between 4.1 and 4.7 out of 10. Roughly 55 to 61 percent of user reviews are negative, with many giving the game 0 or 1 out of 10 scores that seem disproportionate to the actual quality.
Some negative reviews cite legitimate concerns about graphics, the laziness of reusing Lumiose City rather than creating a new region, and frustrations with the pacing. But many others appear to be protest votes against The Pokemon Company’s business practices, the controversial Palworld lawsuit, and general dissatisfaction with how the franchise has been handled in recent years. The review bombing seems less about Z-A specifically and more about accumulated frustrations with Pokemon as a whole.
Dual Platform Launch Strategy
Pokemon Legends Z-A launched simultaneously on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, making it one of the first major cross-generation releases for Nintendo’s new hardware. The Switch version costs 59.99 dollars while the Switch 2 edition runs 69.99 dollars. If you buy the original Switch version, you can upgrade to the Switch 2 edition for 9.99 dollars later.
The Switch 2 version features improved performance, enhanced resolution, and smoother frame rates. Lumiose City reportedly looks significantly better on the newer hardware, addressing some of the graphical complaints directed at the original Switch version. Early adopters who purchased physical copies can claim pre-order bonuses including pins, playmats, and in-game outfits depending on their retailer.
Sales Performance by Region
Beyond the massive US physical launch, Pokemon Legends Z-A showed strong but not record-breaking performance in other markets. In Spain, the game sold 89,000 physical units during its first week, split between 53,000 copies on Switch and 36,000 on Switch 2. That placed it sixth among Pokemon launches in Spain, behind titles like Scarlet and Violet, Sun and Moon, and even the original Legends Arceus.
The game’s first-week sales of 5.8 million copies globally make it the fifth-best Pokemon launch ever, but it’s the smallest opening for a mainline Pokemon RPG in Europe since Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee in 2018. These numbers suggest that while Pokemon Legends Z-A is undeniably successful, it hasn’t reached the stratospheric heights of recent generation starters like Scarlet and Violet.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Pokemon Legends Z-A release?
Pokemon Legends Z-A launched on October 16, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The game is available digitally through the Nintendo eShop and physically at retailers worldwide.
How much does Pokemon Legends Z-A cost?
The Nintendo Switch version costs 59.99 dollars while the Switch 2 edition is priced at 69.99 dollars. Players who buy the Switch version can purchase a 9.99 dollar upgrade pack to access the enhanced Switch 2 edition later.
How many copies did Pokemon Legends Z-A sell?
The game sold 5.8 million copies globally in its first week, making it the fifth-best launch in Pokemon series history. It had the biggest physical game launch in the United States since Zelda Tears of the Kingdom in May 2023.
Is Pokemon Legends Z-A turn-based?
No, Pokemon Legends Z-A features real-time combat for the first time in a mainline Pokemon RPG. Trainers and Pokemon move around the battlefield simultaneously, and you execute attacks whenever you command them rather than waiting for turns.
What is Mega Evolution in Pokemon Legends Z-A?
Mega Evolution temporarily transforms Pokemon into more powerful forms with enhanced stats, new appearances, and sometimes different typing. You need to obtain Mega Stones for specific Pokemon and charge a gauge during battle before activating the transformation.
Why is Pokemon Legends Z-A being review bombed?
User scores on Metacritic are significantly lower than critic scores due to review bombing. While some negative reviews cite legitimate concerns about graphics and pacing, many appear to be protest votes against The Pokemon Company’s business practices, the Palworld lawsuit, and general franchise direction.
Can you explore outside Lumiose City?
No, Pokemon Legends Z-A takes place entirely within Lumiose City. The game focuses on vertical exploration and densely packed urban environments rather than sprawling open regions like previous Pokemon titles.
Is there DLC for Pokemon Legends Z-A?
Yes, paid DLC called Pokemon Legends Z-A Mega Dimension was announced before launch and releases on February 28, 2026. It will add two new Mega Evolutions for Raichu and additional story content.
Physical Media Gets a Win
In an era where digital sales dominate and physical media continues its slow decline, Pokemon Legends Z-A represents a small victory for collectors and preservationists. The fact that it achieved the biggest physical game launch in over two years shows there’s still substantial demand for cartridges and discs, at least when it comes to major franchises like Pokemon.
The game’s commercial success is undeniable despite the mixed user reception and some valid criticisms about graphics and scope. Pokemon Legends Z-A proves the franchise can take risks with combat systems and setting while still delivering sales numbers that most game studios can only dream about. Whether the real-time combat and urban setting become the new standard for Pokemon or remain experimental one-offs will depend on how players respond long-term beyond the initial launch controversy.
For now, Pokemon Legends Z-A stands as both a commercial triumph and a divisive entry that has fans debating its merits. The massive physical sales show people are willing to buy the game, but the review bombing suggests not everyone is happy with the direction. Time will tell if this Lumiose City adventure becomes a beloved classic like Legends Arceus or a more polarizing chapter in Pokemon history.