Pokémon Legends: Z-A Sells 5.8 Million in First Week, Dominates Switch 2 Launch

Pokémon Legends: Z-A has proven once again that the Pokémon franchise remains a cultural powerhouse, selling an impressive 5.8 million copies in its launch week. What makes this even more remarkable is that nearly half of those sales came from the newly launched Nintendo Switch 2, giving the console an early showcase hit.

The game, which debuted on October 16, isn’t just another entry in the series – it represents a significant evolution for the franchise, introducing real-time Pokémon battles for the first time in mainline history.

Set in Lumiose City, Pokémon Legends: Z-A blends nostalgia with modern storytelling. The city’s ongoing redevelopment project – an effort to create harmony between humans and Pokémon – forms the emotional and thematic core of the adventure. Critics have praised Game Freak for finally finding its rhythm in the 3D era of Pokémon, with IGN awarding it an 8/10 and calling the combat overhaul “a surprisingly smooth reinvention.”

While the sales make it the fifth best launch week in franchise history, the conversation online has been anything but uniform. Some players complain that the visuals look “like HD PS2 graphics,” arguing that fans continue to reward mediocrity simply because of the brand name. Others counter that Pokémon is a series designed primarily for children and families, and that fun gameplay outweighs technical shortcomings. As one fan aptly put it, “It’s not about hyperrealism, it’s about charm and playability.”

Still, even supporters admit there are quirks – like empty city streets, static cars, and the absence of moving traffic that makes Lumiose feel oddly lifeless. Yet others defend the design choice as intentional, emphasizing performance stability over world clutter. Despite criticisms, players continue exploring, catching, and battling, noting that the Switch 2’s smoother performance makes Z-A feel more polished than its predecessors.

Whether you love or loathe it, one thing is undeniable: Pokémon Legends: Z-A has reignited passionate debate within the gaming community. Its commercial success contrasts sharply with online negativity, revealing that millions still find joy in the simple magic of becoming a Pokémon Trainer. And in a gaming landscape obsessed with graphics and controversy, that nostalgic joy might be exactly what keeps Pokémon unstoppable.