Pokemon Legends: Z-A runs great on Nintendo Switch 2, but what about Nintendo Switch 1?

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Pokemon Legends: Z-A is out now in most places and will be available everywhere by tomorrow. I pre-ordered the digital version so I could test it on both the original Switch and the new Switch 2. I also have an upgrade code to experience the fully enhanced version on Switch 2. Since most reviews, including ours, were for the Switch 2 version, I was eager to see how the game played on the original Switch, especially after the issues with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. I’ve only been able to play the first few hours so far, as the game just became available to me less than six hours ago.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Nintendo Switch 1 impressions

Pokemon Legends: Z-A runs much smoother and is more stable than Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, even on the original Switch. I used to get motion sickness playing the previous games, but Z-A has been a comfortable experience so far. While loading times are a little slower than on the newer Switch model, the game maintains a consistent 30 frames per second. The biggest visual drawbacks are limited draw distance, flickering shadows, and some blurry textures. However, these issues aren’t game-breaking, and the game performs better than I anticipated, especially considering the launch problems with Pokemon Sword and Violet.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Nintendo Switch 1 Screenshots






Pokemon Legends: Z-A Nintendo Switch 1 impressions played on Switch 2 via backward compatibility 

I tested Pokemon Legends: Z-A on both the original Switch and the new Switch 2 before activating my upgrade. I immediately noticed faster loading and smoother gameplay on the Switch 2. When played docked with a 1440p monitor, the original Switch version looked decent, but objects appeared less detailed further away, and animations of distant characters and Pokemon were noticeably slower. Both versions still had some visual issues like jagged edges and flickering shadows, but these were more pronounced on the original Switch due to its lower resolution. Even on the Switch 2, some loading times weren’t as fast as they are in the upgraded version.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade impressions

Pokemon Legends: Z-A on the new Nintendo Switch 2 offers a noticeably smoother experience, targeting 60 frames per second and with improved graphics. Load times are also significantly faster than on the original Switch. The game feels more refined overall, though some minor visual issues remain. I tested it both in handheld mode and docked on a 1440p monitor. While shimmering and jagged edges are reduced, they’re still occasionally visible. I did encounter a few visual glitches, like flickering pixels, during specific cutscenes. Additionally, characters sometimes appear suddenly in crowded areas, like the opening station, even in this updated version.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition





The game now loads details from further away, which is a welcome improvement, and I saw fewer blurry textures, even during cut-scenes and while exploring the city. While not a massive change, it’s definitely better than the original Switch version – things like the hotel doors look noticeably sharper. I experienced something similar with the recent Pokemon Violet patch on the Switch 2, and aiming for 60 frames per second with clearer graphics really enhances the overall experience of Pokemon Legends: Z-A on the new hardware.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Switch 1 vs Switch 2 visuals and performance

Okay, so I’ve been playing Pokémon Legends: Z-A on both my original Switch and I’m excited about the Switch 2 version! The biggest difference? It aims for a smooth 60 frames per second, which is a huge improvement, as I’ve already talked about. Honestly, the changes to how textures look and how far you can see in the game feel even *more* noticeable than just the overall sharper picture. If you already have the game on the original Switch and you’re planning on getting a Switch 2, trust me, the upgrade pack is totally worth it!

This isn’t a dramatic visual overhaul like you’ve seen in remakes like Romancing SaGa 2 or Dragon Quest III HD-2D. However, the game now aims for a smooth 60 frames per second and features improved visuals in the distance, which significantly enhances the gameplay. I’m eager to spend more time with it and see how well these improvements hold up over the long run.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Switch 1 vs Switch 2 load times compared

I tested how long it took to load Pokemon Legends: Z-A in a few different ways. I measured the time from the game’s dashboard to the title screen, and how long it took to load a saved game while outside in the city. Loading a saved game indoors was faster. I tested three setups: the game on an SD card in the Switch OLED, the game on the internal storage of the original Switch, and the upgraded version of the game on the internal storage of the new Switch 2.

Platform / Test Dashboard to title Loading a save
Switch 1 9-10 11
Switch 1 on Switch 2 6 5-6
Switch 2 Edition 6 4

Just so you know, all the times listed for how long things take to load are in seconds. If you see a range of times instead of a single number, that’s because I ran the test three times and the results varied slightly.

I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly even the original Switch loaded games, but the new Switch version is noticeably faster, even with smaller in-game loads like moving between areas. While a few seconds might not sound like much, it really adds up over time.

If you were wondering how Pokémon Legends: Z-A performs on the original Switch or how it compares on a newer Switch model, I hope this video was helpful. I’ll continue playing on both consoles over the next few weeks and will share any further observations in updates to this post.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is out now on both Nintendo Switch and the new Nintendo Switch 2! You can read our review of the game here and find helpful guides here.

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2025-10-15 23:57