A recent technical comparison of Pokémon Legends Z-A between the Nintendo Switch and the Switch 2 highlights that the latest Pokémon title remains fundamentally a cross-generation game at its core. While players can expect smoother performance and minor visual enhancements on the new console, the game’s foundation clearly reflects its design for the original Switch hardware.
According to the analysis, the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon Legends Z-A reaches a maximum resolution of 1080p, with a common in-game rendering resolution of around 800p. Meanwhile, the Switch 2 version scales up to 2160p, with a consistent output closer to 1080p. However, the most significant difference lies in frame rate performance: the Switch 2 maintains a steady 60 frames per second, doubling the 30fps cap found on the standard Switch.
The upgraded hardware of the Switch 2 provides improved texture quality, enhanced contact shadows on vegetation and various environmental details, and a noticeably greater draw distance. Despite these visual improvements, they are described as modest in scope. The overall graphical leap does not suggest a full generational shift, which reinforces the perception that the game was primarily designed for the first-generation console.
This limited range of improvements suggests that Pokémon Legends Z-A serves as a transitional title bridging two console generations, rather than a native next-generation experience. Fans speculating about future Pokémon releases may have to wait until Generation 10 for a title that fully utilizes the technical potential of Nintendo’s newer hardware.
Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Legends Z-A is set in Lumiose City, the heart of the Kalos region. The title continues the Legends sub-series, following the success of Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022). Announced in February 2024, it acts as a spiritual sequel to Pokémon X and Y (2013), offering a modern reimagining of the familiar city setting.
Pokémon Legends Z-A will release on October 16, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
