A recent technical comparison of Pokémon Legends Z-A on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 platforms reveals that this latest Pokémon title is still essentially a cross-generational title. While the new console offers smoother performance and slightly improved graphics, the core design of the game remains clearly based on the original Switch hardware.

Analysis shows that the Switch version of Pokémon Legends Z-A supports a maximum resolution of 1080p, but the actual rendering resolution often remains around 800p. The Switch 2 version can be increased to 2160p, with a stable output close to 1080p. However, the most noticeable difference is in frame rate performance: the Switch 2 can run the game at a stable 60 FPS, while the original Switch still only runs at 30 FPS.

The Switch 2's upgraded hardware brings improved texture quality, enhanced contact shadows for vegetation, improved environmental detail, and significantly increased draw distance. Despite these visual improvements, the overall improvement is limited. The graphical leap doesn't reach the level of a true generational shift, confirming the game's focus on the original console.

This limited scope of improvements suggests that Pokémon Legends Z-A is more of a transitional game, bridging two console generations, rather than a native next-generation experience. Players eager for future Pokémon titles may have to wait until the tenth generation to see the full potential of Nintendo's new hardware.

Developed by Game Freak and co-published by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Legends Z-A is set in Miare City, the heart of the Kalos region. Announced in February 2024, this sequel to the successful 2022 Pokémon Legends: Arceus continues the Legends series' arc and serves as a spiritual sequel to 2013's Pokémon X and Y, offering a modern reimagining of the familiar cityscape.

Pokémon Legends Z-A is scheduled to release simultaneously on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on October 16, 2025.