Brace yourself, folks. The Pokémon Legends Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 bundle is officially happening, and it’s set to drop on October 16. Packaged neatly with a copy of Pokémon Legends Z-A, this bundle has instantly become the Holy Grail for Pokémon fans and Nintendo enthusiasts (and, predictably, scalpers). If you’re already mentally prepping your wallet, you’re not alone. But before you panic about missing out and hit the buy button in a frenzy, here’s what you need to know to actually secure this bundle without losing your sanity.
Spoiler alert for anyone expecting flames on the console or Pikachu-etched Joy-Cons… the bundle isn’t a limited edition. I know, major “womp womp.” This means you’re not getting any gimmicky hardware designs here. What you are getting is a standard Switch 2 console paired with a digital copy of Pokémon Legends Z-A. Practical? Sure. Exciting? Debatable.
This also explains the (barely) favorable pricing. At $499.99, the bundle gives you the Switch 2 and the game for slightly less than grabbing them separately. If you’re new to Nintendo or have somehow managed to steer clear of Pokémon fever until now, this is your sign to succumb. However, if you’re someone who only buys hardware with a custom skin, then you’ll probably find yourself disappointed, clutching your Mario Kart bundle while muttering, “They could’ve at least slapped a Pokéball sticker on it.”
Now that we’ve set your expectations, here’s the tea on snagging one.
Your safest bet is to sign up for notifications on Nintendo’s official site. A lot of people don’t know this, but Nintendo often gives priority access to folks who register beforehand.
Major retailers will also carry this bundle, but you’d better be ready to hit “refresh” faster than Ash sending Pikachu into battle. Pro tip? Set alerts for live restocks because you’re not the only one trying to hunt these down.
Don’t overlook the charm of local brick-and-mortar stores. Some smaller shops fly under the scalper radar, and you just might snag a preorder while everyone else is refreshing Amazon.
And by that, I mean be patient. Nintendo’s restock notifications don’t arrive like a speeding Bullet Bill, so don’t lose hope even if you’re late to the first round of preorders. Eventually, more stock will appear. Spoiler: the holiday season will be your big redemption arc.
This isn’t your average “catch ‘em all” run. Early footage suggests that Pokémon Legends Z-A could be what Legends Arceus aspired to be but fell slightly short of. It’s still too early to say if this game will become the crown jewel of the Pokémon franchise, but the mix of sprawling open-world exploration and next-gen visuals already looks dangerously addictive. Whether you’re here for nostalgia or because you’re a bona-fide Poké-addict, this is a title bound to dominate gamer conversations for the rest of the year. Plus, pairing it with the more powerful Switch 2 guarantees you’re not suffering through lag. Looking at you, Pokémon Scarlet/Violet on the OG Switch.
Just remember, you’re not the only one thinking this. While technically not a limited edition, demand is still sky-high. Be prepared to flex every ounce of your online shopping skills or risk waiting until post-holiday restocks. Oh, and if you’re one of the lucky few who score this bad boy early, just know we’re all side-eyeing you out of pure jealousy.
Happy hunting!
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