Today’s surprise reveal of Pokemon Legends Z-A has ignited many conversations among fans online, including speculations that it may be a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2.
A driving force of the speculation is the description of its trailer, which reads “Pokemon Legends: Z-A, an ambitious new entry to the Pokemon video game series, will launch on Nintendo Switch systems in 2025!”
The keyword being pointed out is “Nintendo Switch systems”, with an emphasis on the plural, which sparked discussions on social media with fans being convinced that Pokemon Legends Z-A could be a launch or early title for the as-yet announced and heavily rumored Nintendo Switch 2.
It is worth being reminded that the Switch does have multiple versions, including the standard version, as well as the Lite and OLED iterations, and the plural in the announcement might just mean that.
Stealth, an X/Twitter user known for tweeting Nintendo news, posted a tweet saying “What if Switch 2 has 3D Mario and Pokemon Legends Year 1? It was rumored that Nintendo moved Switch 2 to 2025 to further strengthen the 1st Party lineup.”
“If Pokemon Legends Z-A was one of the reasons, I get it.”
What if Switch 2 has 3D Mario and Pokémon legends Year 1? 👀👀👀
It was rumored that Nintendo moved Switch 2 to 2025 to further strengthen the 1st Party lineup.
If Pokémon Legends Z-A was one of the reasons, I get it. pic.twitter.com/BaZbfrdI36
— Stealth (@Stealth40k) February 27, 2024
Many other fans, including content creators and even news outlets, have chimed in with the rumors, with some speculating other games to be also joining Pokemon Legends Z-A, including a new open-world Mario title and the delayed Metroid Prime 4.
Switch 2 launching with:
• New open-world 3D Mario
• Mario Kart 9
• Pokémon Legends Z-A
• Metroid Prime 4
• 2D Zelda (new or remake)
• …and whatever else they’re cooking up https://t.co/fOT73M4Nhx pic.twitter.com/GwoPfmiC90— 𝗗𝗶𝗲𝗻 (@DienCL) February 27, 2024
Pokémon Legends Z-A gotta be a dual release, right?
Nintendo Switch OG and 2.
Also, I’m so happy they’re continuing the Legends brand.
Everyone slept on this game. pic.twitter.com/HQg8Px1tDL
— LittlePuffyBall (@KirPinkFury) February 27, 2024
God, I’m gonna need a lot of money for a Switch 2 AND Pokemon Legends Z-A whenever they come out pic.twitter.com/iIb6k1xn2N
— Lunie! 💗🌕 (@LunalaFan777) February 27, 2024
These speculations do line up with recent rumors of the Nintendo Switch 2 potentially launching in 2025 and the console has been in frequent discussions in the industry, with rumors circulating as early as 2023.
Interestingly, Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be the first major instance of the series breaking from its annual release pattern since 2016 with Pokemon Sun and Moon.
For now, everything so far is just harmless speculations from hopeful fans, and Nintendo or The Pokemon Company has yet to comment on the rumors.