Happy Pokémon Day! The Pokémon Company offered lots of news and updates today, ending with additional footage for Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Curiously, we only received a release window of “Late 2025”, and with an April Nintendo Direct on the Switch 2, it does make me wonder if the stars are aligning for Pokémon Legends: Z-A to be a Switch 2 release.
I am doubtful that Pokémon Legends: Z-A would be a Switch 2 exclusive due to precedent. For example, Pokémon Yellow released on the Game Boy in October 1999 after the Game Boy Color had released in November 1998. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon released for the DS family of systems in November 2017, even though the Nintendo Switch launched in March of that year.
Nintendo could easily continue tradition and release Pokémon Legends: Z-A for the original Switch for the holidays, whereas the Switch 2 could release in the summer or fall. With backwards compatibility, people who purchase the Switch 2 could still access the game.
However, I’d love to extend the argument that Nintendo ought to switch up their tactic (no pun intended). The Switch was lightning in a bottle, and it is unlikely that its successor will find such swift and steep sales since it is more or less the same system, albeit with tweaks and improvements. Because there is no drastic change in “gimmick”, people may be slower to transition to the Switch 2, and therefore, we need a widely popular franchise to help move units. Other than Mario and Zelda, what other exclusive IP is as popular as Pokémon?
It is the fact we got a release window versus a specific date that does make me believe a Switch 2 release is a possibility; however, history would suggest otherwise.
What do you think? Please share your thoughts with us on our Boss Rush Facebook Group or our Boss Rush Discord.
Pow Block Podcast – A Nintendo Podcast by Boss Rush
Nintendo Pow Block is the weekly Nintendo Podcast for Boss Rush Media and The Boss Rush Network. Each week, Edward Varnell and Corey Dirrig, as well as their friends from around the internet dive into the week that was in the world of Nintendo, including news, rumors, new games, discuss weekly pickups, and fan favorite segments like Question Block where they answer community questions, what they’ve been playing in Playing with Power, and their latest food quests in Snacktendo! New episodes every Monday on YouTube and podcast services.
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