After the longest wait in series history between mainline games, the launch of Pokemon Legends: Z-A is now less than a week away. For those who want to start playing as soon as possible, you can already preload the game on your Nintendo Switch or Switch 2. It's the file size reveal that has come with the chance to preload that has left some Pokemon fans a little concerned, though.
In a world where video game file sizes have ballooned to the point that sometimes, a single title can take up half your console storage, you'd think news that a game you want to play doesn't take up all that much room at all would be welcomed. However, Game Freak might have gone a little too small with it, as the original Switch version of Legends: Z-A clocks in at just 4GB.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Pre-Order Guide - Editions, Platforms, And Bonuses
Everything you need to know about placing a pre-order for Pokemon Legends: Z-A on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
You Won't Need To Clear Much Room On Your Switch For Pokemon Legends: Z-A
The initial reveal implied that the Switch 2 version of the game will only be 4GB, too, but that's not the case. The Switch 2 version of Pokemon Legends: Z-A will get a day-one patch that adds all the current-gen textures and framerates for the enhanced version of the game, bringing its file size up to 7.7GB.
That's a little reassuring, but it's still a very small game, not only when compared to other Switch 2 releases, but also to the two most recent mainline Pokemon games. Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are a little over 10GB each, while Pokemon Legends: Arceus is 6.1GB. Then again, both of those games take place across vast open worlds, so perhaps that explains why Game Freak has been able to keep Legends: Z-A so compact.
It has already been confirmed that the entirety of Legends: Z-A will take place within the confines of Lumiose City, but its small file size implies the destination might not be all that detailed, hence the concerns among Pokemon fans with six days to go until release day.
We've also entered an era where even Nintendo file sizes are getting bigger. Shortly after the launch of Legends: Z-A, Switch 2 exclusive Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment arrives, and it will be the biggest game Nintendo has ever published in terms of file size, clocking in at more than 44GB.
A game's file size is not the be-all and end-all, of course. Far from it. Pokemon Legends: Arceus was only a little more than 6GB, and it was well-received and remains one of my favorite Switch games. The concern is that, after being given longer to develop a mainline game than it has ever been given before, coupled with this being the first Pokemon game on Switch 2, this might not be the groundbreaking game that kicks off a new era for the series Pokemon fans are hoping for.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79/100 Critics Rec: 64%
- Released
- October 16, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Proprietary
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Adventure
