Should you upgrade to a Nintendo Switch 2 to play Pokémon Legends: ZA?
Blog Andrew Joseph 20 Oct , 2025 0

i have been playing Pokémon Legends: ZA I've been using the Switch 2 since it was first released and loving every minute of it. The game takes place entirely in Lumiose City, and I found that it runs very well on the new console. Whether you're catching Pokémon in the wild or getting into the heat of battle, everything looks crisp and the gameplay is incredibly smooth.
However, you don't actually need to own a Switch 2 to play Pokémon Legends: ZA. The standard Switch version is now $10 cheaper than the Switch 2 version. So if you're a Pokémon fan but haven't tried out and bought the latest console yet, you don't have to miss out on the latest Pokémon adventure. The real question is: How does the Switch 1 version actually work? IGN had the chance to play the game side-by-side on both consoles, and it looks like the older console is fully capable of running the game – aside from some framerate losses. You can check out the comparison below to see for yourself how the two versions of the game compare to each other.
Should you upgrade?
As we pointed out in our comparison video, the differences between the two versions of the game are noticeable, but not so huge that you really need Upgrade to play the game. If you want the best gaming experience possible and the clearest visuals, then I think it's definitely worth upgrading to a Switch 2. However, if you don't want to spend $450 on a new console, the Switch 1 version of the game will work just fine. Environments will be slightly less detailed, and some Pokémon's movements may look a little stilted, but overall the experience is still fun.
As someone who upgraded to a Switch 2, I'd say the value of this upgrade has more to do with future games than the current in-between period. Nintendo will continue to launch Upcoming Switch Games on both consoles, but eventually the older hardware won't be able to handle the latest version. This is the case with Switch 2 exclusive games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Banana. And at the same time this The Pokémon games are playable on both consoles, and I can almost guarantee that the next mainline game in the series won't run on the original Switch.
This brings some added value to the latest stuff switch 2 bundle Because when you buy the bundle, you get the Switch 2 version of the game at a slight discount. So while Pokémon Legends: ZA doesn't necessarily require an upgrade, it's still a potential reason to buy a next-gen console. When you consider that Nintendo has Already raising the price of the original Switch And warned that the price of Switch 2 may also rise.
You can always buy a Switch 2 upgrade later
If you plan to play Pokémon Legends: ZA on the original Switch, it's worth noting that you have the option of purchasing a Switch 2 upgrade to play the game. If you start playing the Switch 1 version and end up buying a Switch 2, you can just buy a $10 upgrade to get better graphics and performance. Considering the Switch 2 version only costs $10 more than the Switch 1 version, you're not paying more by going this route.