Recommended Free Tools
If you own Pokémon Legends: Z-A for Nintendo Switch and want its Switch 2 Edition features, keep the full game and buy the separate Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack. You also need a Nintendo Switch 2. The pack is not a standalone copy of the game.
How to upgrade your Switch copy
- Make sure you own the full game. The Upgrade Pack requires Pokémon Legends: Z-A. A physical Switch cartridge counts as the base game, but it is not the upgrade itself. Nintendo’s Switch game listing identifies the base game, while the Upgrade Pack listing describes the separate add-on.
- Use a Nintendo Switch 2. The Upgrade Pack is for Switch 2; the Switch 2 Edition features are not available on the original Switch.
- Open the Nintendo eShop on Switch 2 and find the Upgrade Pack. Check that the listing is specifically for Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack, rather than the complete Switch 2 Edition or the separate Mega Dimension DLC.
- Buy and download the pack. Follow the eShop prompts, then launch the game on Switch 2. Keep access to your base game: the pack adds the Switch 2 Edition features, not the full game.
Nintendo says the Upgrade Pack was released on October 16, 2025. Its official listing describes improved performance, enhanced resolution, and smoother frame rates, but does not specify numerical resolution or frame-rate targets. See Nintendo’s Upgrade Pack listing.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![Pokémon Legends: Z-A Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IOdpg0EfL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51r8yUj+syL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Pokemon Legends: Z-A (Nintendo Switch) | $57.10 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Do you need to buy the game again?
No, if you already own the Switch game: Nintendo says existing owners can purchase the Upgrade Pack to play the Switch 2 Edition. If you do not own the base game, you need to buy a full copy as well as the upgrade pack, or purchase the complete Switch 2 Edition instead.
Upgrade Pack or complete Switch 2 Edition?
The right route depends on whether you already own the base game. The following regular prices are from Nintendo’s US Store listings observed October 3, 2026; prices and availability may differ by region or change over time.
#1 Best Overall
- Your journey will take you to all manner of sights in the streets arrayed around Prism Tower, including shops, restaurants, and places called wild zones—where Pokémon roam free.
- As you catch, train, and battle Pokémon, there will be plenty of people to meet too—like AZ, the enigmatic owner of Hotel Z.
| Route | What you need | US regular price observed October 3, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Upgrade an existing Switch copy | Full Switch game and Nintendo Switch 2; buy the separate Upgrade Pack | $9.99 for the Upgrade Pack |
| Buy the base game and upgrade | Full Switch game plus the separate Upgrade Pack; Nintendo Switch 2 to use the added features | $59.99 for the Switch game plus $9.99 for the pack |
| Buy the complete Switch 2 Edition | Complete edition for Nintendo Switch 2 | $69.99 |
These are Nintendo US listing prices, not a guarantee of the price in another country or on a later date. Check your local eShop before buying. Nintendo lists the complete Switch 2 Edition separately from the base game and Upgrade Pack.
Can you play the Switch 2 Edition on an original Switch?
No. Nintendo UK says the Switch 2 Edition is playable only on Nintendo Switch 2. On an original Switch, a physical or virtual game card plays the Switch version without the additional Switch 2 Edition features. The upgrade does not turn original Switch hardware into a Switch 2 Edition device. Nintendo UK’s edition page explains the platform distinction.
Rank #2
- Venture into Hyperspace Lumiose in this additional story content that can be accessed after completing the main game
- Work with the mysterious baker, Ansha, to make donuts that awaken the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa’s power and grant you and your Pokémon a variety of useful effects
- Join Team MZ and the Mega Evolution Successor, Korrina, to investigate Hyperspace Lumiose, the otherworldly home to rare and hyper-strong Pokémon
- Discover new Mega Evolutions such as Mega Raichu X, Mega Raichu Y, Mega Chimecho and Mega Baxcalibur
- Claim Holo-X and Holo-Y in-game apparel items, which you can wear as soon as you are able to customize your character’s look and outfit in the main game
What does the upgrade improve?
Nintendo describes the Switch 2 Edition as offering improved performance, enhanced resolution, and smoother frame rates. Its product pages do not provide specific resolution figures, frame-rate targets, or loading-time comparisons, so those should not be assumed. The Upgrade Pack changes the edition’s feature set; it is not the separately sold Mega Dimension DLC, which Nintendo lists as additional content requiring the full game. Nintendo’s US announcement lists the DLC separately.
Check storage before downloading
Nintendo’s US product listing gives file sizes of 6 GB for the Switch version and 11.3 GB for the Switch 2 version, and cautions that additional storage may be needed. These are listing figures, not a promise of the exact free space a particular download will require. Check your console’s available storage and your local Nintendo Store listing before starting the download. Nintendo’s Switch 2 Edition listing provides the published sizes.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Live the life of a Pokémon Trainer in the streets of Lumiose City!
- Lumiose City a home for people and Pokémon alike. Here, thanks to an urban redevelopment plan driven by Quasartico Inc., the lush greenery of verdant parks and natural vistas intermingles with facilities made using the latest cutting-edge technology. A lot has changed here since the days of the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games!
- Choose Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile as your first partner Pokémon, and then set off on a grand adventure! Your journey will take you to all manner of sights in the streets arrayed around Prism Tower, including shops, restaurants, and places called wild zones where Pokémon roam free. As you catch, train, and battle Pokémon, there will be plenty of people to meet too like AZ, the enigmatic owner of Hotel Z.
- Catch, battle, and Mega Evolve all in real time!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
