Pokémon Legends: Z‑A Demo Hits Pokémon World Championships 2025

Overview
Nintendo is offering a rare early glimpse of Pokémon Legends: Z‑A through a hands‑on demo at this year’s Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim. Registration opens mid‑August, giving fans an exciting opportunity to experience the game on the new Switch 2 ahead of its October release.

Demo Details at Pokémon World Championships

- Event: Pokémon World Championships 2025, Anaheim Convention Center — August 15–17, 2025 (game8.co, nintendosoup.com, nintendolife.com)
- Registration window: August 11–14, 2025 — must sign up via Nintendo’s event site with a Nintendo Account (nintendolife.com, facebook.com)
- Warp Pipe Pass: Required for access; distributed on a first‑come, first‑served basis (nintendosoup.com, game8.co)
- What to expect in the demo:
- Real‑time combat against a series of trainers in the nocturnal “Z‑A Royale” battle zones
- Chase sequence with Zygarde through nighttime Lumiose City
- Co‑op battle teaming up with Lucario to take on a Rogue Mega Absol (nintendosoup.com, comicbook.com)

Game Highlights

- Release Date: October 16, 2025 for both Nintendo Switch and the enhanced Nintendo Switch 2 (en.wikipedia.org, nintendolife.com)
- Setting: Entirely based in Lumiose City in the Kalos region, inspired by Paris (en.wikipedia.org)
- Gameplay innovations:
- Real‑time battling, including pre‑emptive strikes and spatial positioning (en.wikipedia.org, gamesradar.com)
- Epic nighttime competition mechanic, the Z‑A Royale, where trainers rank from Z to A (en.wikipedia.org, gamesradar.com)
- Mega Evolution returns, including new forms like Mega Dragonite (techradar.com, houstonchronicle.com)
- Deep customization, including grooming, trainer outfits, and exploration of “Wild Zones” (gamesradar.com, techradar.com)

Summary Table

| Feature | Details |
|----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| Demo Location | Pokémon World Championships — Anaheim (Aug 15–17, 2025) |
| How to Access Demo | Register for Warp Pipe Pass (Aug 11–14) |
| Demo Content | Real‑time battles, Zygarde chase, Lucario vs Mega Absol |
| Game Launch | October 16, 2025 — Switch & Switch 2 |
| Key Game Features | Real‑time combat, Z‑A Royale, Mega Evolutions, customization |

SEO Tags

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Navigation Links

- Pokémon Presents July 2025 coverage: new features, bundles, trailers
- GamesRadar: Everything we know so far about Pokémon Legends: Z‑A
- Official game overview and setting summary (Wikipedia)
- Detailed breakdown of the Worlds demo experience