Ahead of Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s launch this Thursday, Target has revealed an exclusive purchase bonus for customers who buy the game online or in stores before Sunday, October 19. Target is giving away a Pokemon-themed decal set while supplies last. GameStop has an exclusive tote bag, but it’s only for customers who preorder and pick up the game at midnight. Amazon doesn’t have an exclusive preorder bonus, but you will still get the in-game item pack that’s included with physical and digital preorders regardless of where you buy it from.
Unfortunately, the exclusive Z-A preorder bonuses at Best Buy and Walmart are sold out as of October 14. Best Buy was giving away an oversized desk mat, while Walmart was bundling a mystery pin of the game’s logo or starter Pokemon with preorders. Both retailers revealed their bonuses during the summer, so it’s not too surprising all of the freebies have been claimed.
Pokemon fans who are considering upgrading to the Switch 2 to play Z-A can get a console bundle with a digital copy of the game for $500. Preorders for the bundle are currently in stock at Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. The Switch 2 bundle launches October 16 alongside the game.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Preorder Bonuses
All preorders come with the following in-game items:
- 20x Super Potion
- 5x Revive
- 3x Full Heal
- 1 Rare Candy
$70 | Releases October 16
The Nintendo Switch 2 version features the full game on the card. It’s available to preorder at the following retailers for $70:
The digital edition is available to preorder on the eShop or at select major retailers, including Amazon.
Like other games with separate versions for the old and new Switch consoles, Pokemon Legends: Z-A will take advantage of the Switch 2’s superior tech to offer improved overall performance, including higher frame rates and resolution.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus had some slowdown, general choppiness, and pop-in on Switch, so it will be interesting to see how Z-A runs on original hardware compared to Switch 2. Hopefully the gap between the two isn’t as wide as it is in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. The latest mainline Pokemon games had rather extreme performance issues on Switch, but the free Switch 2 update has the open-world Pokemon adventure running at 1080p at 60fps.
$60 | Releases October 16
The $60 physical edition for Nintendo Switch OLED, Switch Lite, and the regular Switch is available at the following retailers:
The digital edition also costs $60 and is up for preorder on the Switch eShop and major retailers such as Amazon.
If you purchase the Switch edition and decide you want to upgrade down the road when you buy the Switch 2, you can purchase a $10 Upgrade Pack from the eShop or a major retailer.
$500 | Releases October 16
The Nintendo Switch 2 console bundle with Pokemon Legends: Z-A saves you $20 versus buying the console and game separately. It comes with a voucher to redeem on the Nintendo eShop for the digital edition of Z-A.
Preorders are available at Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. The bundle is currently sold out at Best Buy and GameStop.
Z-A is the second game in the Pokemon Legends series. If you haven’t played Pokemon Legends: Arceus, which launched back in 2022 and earned rave reviews, you can grab a physical copy for $52 at Amazon or Walmart.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Key Features
The sequel to Pokemon Legends: Arceus takes players back to Kalos, the setting of Gen 6’s Pokemon X and Y for 3DS. The bustling metropolitan setting of Lumiose City will offer a significant change of pace from rolling hills and wilderness in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Your first partner Pokemon will be either Chikorita, Totodile, or Tepig. The streamlined catching system from Arceus will return, so you won’t have to battle every wild Pokemon you encounter before lobbing a Poke Ball at them.
Z-A will also be a major departure in another way: the battle system. The traditional turn-based combat from Arceus and the mainline series will be replaced by a strategic real-time system. You and your partner Pokemon can move during combat encounters–though you’ll still be confined to a specific area. Positioning and timing will impact your success on the battlefield, both when attacking and defending incoming attacks by executing dodges.
Along with the new and reworked elements, a familiar system will make its return after a long absence. Mega Evolutions, which last appeared in Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee in 2018, will temporarily turn your partner Pokemon into a super powerful version of itself. Mega Evolutions also alter the appearance of your Pokemon, but only certain species have Mega Evolutions, and you’ll need a Mega Ring and a Pokemon-specific Mega Stone to activate it.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC
As part of the September Nintendo Direct, Nintendo revealed a paid DLC for Pokemon Legends: Z-A called Mega Dimension. The DLC is available to preorder for $30 and is expected to launch February 28, 2026. The storyline centers on Mega Evolutions and prominently features Raichu, who has not one, but two Mega Evolutions. Along with the story expansion, the Mega Dimensions DLC comes with Raichu-themed Holo-X and Holo-Y Mega Evolution apparel items, which can be worn when the game launches October 16.
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