Update #2 []: If you want to check out Pokémon Legends: Z-A early in the US and will be attending the Pokémon World Championships 2025 later this week, here's your reminder that registrations for game demo participation are now officially live.
Once again, you'll need to have a Nintendo Account to apply and it's a "first come, first served" event. This event will get underway on 15th August and runs until 17th August, 2025.
Update #1 []: Nintendo has provided an update about the Pokémon Legends: Z-A demo appearing at the Pokémon World Championships 2025 and what trainers can expect.
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It also confirms you'll be required to reserve a Warp Pipe Pass to participate in this event.
Registration will be open on Nintendo's website from 11th - 14th August, 2025, with the event running at the Anaheim Convention Center from 15th - 17th August, 2025. This is a "first come, first served" event and requires you to have a Nintendo Account.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Demo - "Experience the new real-time battling system in a series of Trainer battles that take place during the after hours of Lumiose City, chase Zygarde through the streets of Lumiose City, and team up with Lucario to take on Rogue Mega Absol in an epic, action-packed showdown! Please note that you MUST reserve a Warp Pipe Pass to participate in this gameplay opportunity. Passes are first-come, first-served!"
Original Story: Pokémon Legends: Z-A is easily one of the most anticipated Switch (and Switch 2) releases of this year, and although trainers will have to wait until October to get their hands on it, it seems there will be a few ways to sample the new entry before then.
In case you missed it, there's apparently going to be a "playable" public demo of the Switch 2 Edition. It will be available next week at the Pokémon World Championships 2025 – taking place in Anaheim, California between 15th - 17th August, 2025.
Additionally, the same demo will be available to play at Gamescom a week later – between 20th - 24th August 2025. We don't know the specifics about this demo just yet, or if there's any chance of a demo being made available on the eShop in the future, but if we hear any updates, we'll let you know.
Again, if there are interesting details or findings within this demo, we'll let you know. And if there are other demo locations announced, we'll give you the heads up. This follows the release of a new trailer for Pokémon Legends Z-A during the July Pokémon Presents, which gave fans a look at Mega Dragonite and much more.
Nintendo has also released kiosks alongside the Switch 2 that feature playable demos of games like Donkey Kong Bananza.