Key Highlights:
- A copy of Pokemon Z-A has been leaked online.
- This is the Nintendo Switch 1 version of the game, and not the Switch 2 port.
- Initial impressions appear to be very positive.
Nintendo’s Pokemon Legends: Z-A is the newest, flagship title from the game publisher, being developed by none other than Game Freak. Interestingly enough, Z-A has made its way online by means of a leaked early copy, which is a rather unprecedented development.
Now, as per these lucky few players, Pokemon Z-A is shaping up to be quite the treat, with many hailing it as one of the best Pokemon games to have ever been released, and to an extent, quite unlike anything that has been released prior.
Pokemon Z-A Leaks Online Ahead of Official Launch
Users scouring the internet for Pokemon related news might already be familiar with the fact that Pokemon Legends: Z-A has been leaked in its entirety online. This leak takes place 4 days ahead of the game’s official launch, and has caused quite a stir.
Obviously, given the fact that we don’t really have a way to emulate or even dump the game files of the Nintendo Switch 2 system just yet, this particular ROM is from the Nintendo Switch 1 version of the game, which is about par for the course, bringing with it all the quirks of a last-gen port.
This Isn’t the First Time a Major Nintendo Switch Title Has Leaked Early
Dumping of Nintendo Switch 1 cartridges and their game files has become a rather trivial process now, so the release of ROM files this early really shouldn’t surprise anyone in the slightest.
After all, this has kind of become the norm for Nintendo releases in recent years, as noted when the hotly anticipated Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom made its way to piracy sites nearly a week before its actual release.
The Switch 1’s security measures are practically non-existent anyway, and this is something that Nintendo appears to have fixed in the successor, the Nintendo Switch 2. There have been no user reproducible exploits since the launch of the console, and it’s clear that Nintendo did its homework this time around, making it impenetrable (for now).
Also Read: Steam Reaches a Record High, but This Could Be Troubling for the Future of PC Gaming
That being said, breaking through a console’s security is only a matter of time, and of course, a huge undertaking from a group of passionate hackers.
Still, it does make you wonder how much longer Nintendo actually aims to support its last gen handheld for, given the recent security lapses. If anything, we could potentially see Nintendo drop support a lot sooner than expected, as a means to combat piracy on their platform.
Initial Impressions Appear to Be Very Positive
Early Impressions from someone who beat the game:
— Centro LEAKS (@CentroLeaks) October 13, 2025
"the best Pokémon game I have played"
"fresh, dynamic, and doesn't feel like Pokémon" https://t.co/V5ZnjAIXjC
Players who have managed to get the ROM up and running have already hailed it as the best Pokemon game to have ever been released – some rather high praise, especially when we take into account that most players consider the franchise to have stagnated quite terribly.
Other reviews also mention that the game is ‘fresh’ and ‘dynamic’, making it quite unlike any other Pokemon game to date. One could even say that Z-A isn’t a ‘true’ Pokemon game, since it deviates from the core formula by a significant margin.
That’s not exactly a bad thing, given how plain and uninteresting the franchise has grown to become after years of stagnation, brought about by the lack of any mainstream competitors.
With all that in mind though, Z-A could turn out to be a game changer for fans of the franchise, and even draw in potential new players to the series as well.
