Pokémon Legends: Z-A free download quietly confirmed

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is getting a free download that will be available to all, eventually.

Later this year, we’ll be treated to the next entry in the long-running and forever popular Pokémon series on Nintendo Switch consoles with Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

After we were treated to a recent gameplay trailer for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, fans were instantly pleased to see that its visuals have vastly improved over the last mainline entry, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. However, the upcoming game has more than just a visual makeover.

For the first time in the mainline series, Pokémon Legends: Z-A will introduce real-time combat against other trainers and Pokémon, rather than the traditional turn-based. It will be interesting to see if the non-optional combat mechanics will please purest fans.

For most new releases, it’s common to have pre-order bonuses to incentivise players to commit to the game before its big launch. Retail-specific incentives can be a pain in the backside because some are exclusive, meaning not everyone can get all that a game has to offer.

One such pre-order incentive is the Trench Coat for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which is exclusive to some retailers.

As brought to our attention by Nintendo Life (via SerebiiNet), the Trench Coat in question can be instantly obtained in-game via a code provided when you pre-order Pokémon Legends: Z-A at Amazon Japan, EB Games in Australia and GameStop in the US.

“The Trench Coat, Scarf, and Pants included in this set are Beige, Green, and Brown, respectively,” the description of the free download reads.

The Twitter account, PLDH, updated that the Trench Coat and its accompanying accessories can also be obtained through game progression.

So if you don't get hold of the pre-order code, you will still get this content at some point; you’ll just have to be a little patient.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be released on the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2 on 18 October 2025.