Look, everyone knew the original Switch was starting to show its age. When Pokémon Scarlet and Violet dropped, we all saw the memes—the sinking textures, the frame rates that felt like a slideshow, and the general jank that came with trying to squeeze a massive open world into hardware from 2017. So when Game Freak announced Legends ZA Switch 2 support alongside the standard version, the collective sigh of relief from the community was basically audible from space.
Honestly, there’s been a ton of confusion about whether you actually need the new console to enjoy this game. Some people think it’s a completely different experience, while others claim the "Switch 2 Edition" is just a marketing gimmick to sell more $449 handhelds.
It’s neither.
The Reality of Legends ZA Switch 2 Performance
If you’ve been hanging out on Reddit or Discord lately, you've probably seen the "11 fps" jokes. But here is the actual breakdown. Legends ZA Switch 2 runs at a native 60 FPS in 1080p when you’re playing handheld. Stick it in the dock, and you’re looking at a scaled 4K resolution that actually holds its own.
The original Switch? It’s locked at 30 FPS.
Now, 30 FPS isn't the end of the world for a turn-based RPG, but Pokémon Legends: Z-A isn't exactly a standard RPG. It uses a real-time, positioning-based combat system that feels way more like Xenoblade Chronicles than Pokémon Red. When you’re dodging a rogue Mega Evolved Gyarados in the middle of a Lumiose City "Wild Zone," those extra frames aren't just for show. They are the difference between a perfect dodge and a "fainted" screen.
Why Lumiose City Changes Everything
A lot of fans were kind of bummed when they heard the game takes place entirely within Lumiose City. We’re used to crossing oceans and climbing mountains. But the scale here is different. Instead of wide-open empty fields, you’ve got a dense, vertical urban environment managed by the fictional Quasartico Inc.
It's basically Paris on steroids.
The city is split into sectors undergoing "urban redevelopment." During the day, you’re helping with side missions—like finding a lost Klefki in a hotel—but at night, the "Battle Zones" open up. This is where the Z-A Royale happens. It’s a nightly free-for-all where trainers can jump you at any time.
On the Legends ZA Switch 2 version, the "pop-in" (you know, when trees and people suddenly blink into existence ten feet in front of you) is almost gone. On the old hardware, you still see some of that classic Pokémon stutter when the city lights turn on at dusk. It’s playable, sure. But once you see the Switch 2 version’s lighting effects on the Prism Tower, it’s really hard to go back.
The Z-A Royale and Technical Hurdles
The Z-A Royale is the core loop of the game. You're trying to move from Rank Z to Rank A. To do that, you have to collect Challenger Tickets by beating random NPCs in the streets.
- Loading Times: This is where the Switch 2’s UFS 3.1 storage kicks in. Moving between the "Wild Zones" and your home base at Hotel Z is nearly instantaneous.
- Mega Evolution: There’s a new mechanic where wild Pokémon spontaneously Mega Evolve and go "Rogue." These are essentially boss fights.
- Textures: The Switch 2 edition uses actual high-res textures. The cobblestones in Lumiose look like stones, not a blurry gray soup.
Is the "Upgrade Pack" a Scam?
Nintendo did something slightly different this time. If you bought the physical or digital version for the original Switch back in October 2025, you don't have to buy a whole new $70 game when you finally get a Switch 2. There’s an "Upgrade Pack" available on the eShop.
It's essentially a massive patch that swaps out the assets and unlocks the higher frame rates. Some people are annoyed it isn't a free "Smart Delivery" style update like you see on Xbox, but at least it saves you from double-dipping at full price.
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The game currently sits at #5 on the eShop charts for the Switch 2, right behind Animal Crossing and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade. People are clearly buying into the ecosystem.
What About the Pokedex?
Don't expect 1,000 monsters. The game features a condensed Pokedex of about 230 Pokémon. Since everything is set in one city, it makes sense—you wouldn't expect to find a Primal Groudon wandering a Parisian alleyway.
The focus is heavily on the Kalos region (Generation 6) and the return of Mega Evolution. We’re finally getting new Megas that we were robbed of back in 2013. There are even rumors floating around about a "Mega Dimension" DLC for the 30th anniversary in 2026, but let’s stick to what’s actually in the game for now.
Actionable Steps for Players
If you’re sitting on the fence about which version to play, here is how you should actually approach it:
- Check your TV first. If you don’t own a 4K TV or monitor, the docked resolution boost of the Switch 2 version is going to be wasted on you. The handheld 1080p screen on the new console is the real star here.
- Prioritize the "Upgrade Pack." If you already own the game on the original Switch, do not buy the "Switch 2 Edition" as a standalone. Look for the upgrade in the eShop to save about $50.
- Focus on Nighttime Battles. The Z-A Royale is the fastest way to level up. If you're struggling with the real-time combat on the old Switch, try sticking to "Point Blank" moves that have a wider area of effect to compensate for the lower frame rate.
- Link your Pokémon HOME. Connectivity for Z-A is scheduled to go live later in 2026. Start prepping your Gen 6 favorites in HOME now so you can move them into Lumiose City as soon as the bridge opens.
The gap between the two versions is real, but it’s not like the game is broken on the old hardware. It’s just that Legends ZA Switch 2 is clearly the way the developers wanted the game to look before they had to optimize it for a nine-year-old tablet. If you value stability and want to see what a "modern" Pokémon game actually looks like without the technical excuses, the upgrade is probably worth the hit to your wallet.