To get Pokémon Legends ZA early, you have a few main options:
- Preload the Game Digitally: If you pre-ordered the game digitally from the Nintendo eShop, you can preload it ahead of the official release date (October 16, 2025). This lets you download the game data in advance so you can start playing instantly at launch without waiting for a download.
- Use the "New Zealand Trick": The game releases worldwide at midnight local time on October 16, but New Zealand is the earliest time zone to get the game. By creating a new Nintendo account set to the New Zealand region and purchasing the game there (paying in NZ dollars), you can play it earlier in your own time zone. This requires buying the game again on the new account and may limit access to some online features.
- Physical Early Copies (Unofficial): Some users report getting early access by purchasing physical copies ahead of time from retailers or eBay. This is not guaranteed and not official, but some players have found ways to play before the release date by obtaining physical copies early.
- Potential Console Reset Exploit (Unverified): There is a YouTube video describing a method involving initializing the console to access the game early, but such methods are not officially supported or reliable.
Summary:
Method| Requirements| Notes
---|---|---
Digital Preload| Pre-order on Nintendo eShop| Official, safe, available before
release 1
New Zealand Trick| New NZ Nintendo account + payment| Buy again, region lock,
can play earlier 2
Physical Early Purchase| Find early retail or eBay copies| Not official,
risky, possible early access 10
Console Reset Exploit| Reset console as described| Unguaranteed, unofficial,
likely unsupported 3
Preloading digitally or using the New Zealand region method are the best official ways to get early access to Pokémon Legends ZA.
