Should They Play?The parents' guide to apps and games

Should I let my child play Pokémon Legends: Z-A?

10+

Yes

From age 10. It's a gentle adventure, and players can't chat with strangers.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a gentle adventure. Children catch Pokémon and battle with them, and defeated Pokémon faint rather than get hurt. ESRB rates it 10+ for fantasy violence and PEGI rates it 7, and we follow the highest. There's no voice or text chat, and players can't publish their own content, so strangers have no way to talk to your child. The thing to watch is money: a paid expansion adds more story, and Nintendo doesn't limit spending until you set it up. The steps below take a few minutes.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A passes all 7 safety checks. See how we decided, and the official age ratings

Last checked . Pokémon Legends: Z-A is made by Game Freak, for Nintendo and The Pokémon Company and runs on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2.

What is Pokémon Legends: Z-A?

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the latest main Pokémon game, set in a city where players catch Pokémon and battle with them. Most of it is played alone, with optional online battles.

Our advice by age

Under 10
NoESRB rates it 10+ for fantasy violence, and we never go below the highest official rating, even though PEGI rates it 7.
10 and over
YesYes. It's safe on the default settings, but take a few minutes to set a spending limit, using the steps below.

What to watch out for

  • SpendingRisk is low by default, low with controls on

    A paid expansion, Mega Dimension, adds more story. Nintendo eShop spending isn't limited until you set it up, so turn on a spending restriction.

  • Online battlesRisk is low by default, low with controls on

    Ranked online battles match players with strangers, but there's no chat. Online play needs a paid Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

  • Fantasy violenceRisk is low by default, low with controls on

    Battles are fast, with impact sounds and bright explosions, which is why ESRB rates it 10+. Pokémon faint rather than get hurt.

What's good about it

  • Exploring, collecting and planning battles
  • Plenty to do alone, with no need to go online
  • No chat with strangers at all
  • Nintendo's parental controls are simple and locked with a PIN

How to set it up safely

Required steps are the conditions of our verdict. If you can't do them, our answer is no. Takes about ten minutes. Do it with your child so they know what's switched on and why.

  1. Set up Nintendo's parental controls with a PINRecommended

    Use the free Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app or the console settings. Only someone with the PIN can change them.

  2. Restrict spendingRecommended

    Set a spending restriction from your Nintendo Account, so the paid expansion and anything else needs you.

  3. Restrict communication with othersRecommended

    The Child and Young Child settings do this for every game on the console, not just Pokémon.

  4. Set a daily time limitRecommended

    The Parental Controls app can pause the game when time's up.

Recent news

  1. Pokémon Legends: Z-A is getting a new Switch 2 physical release next monthNintendo Life

    A bundle with the game and the paid Mega Dimension expansion on one card comes out on 29 October 2026.

  2. Pokémon sued after former exec arrested for filming people with hidden cameras in bathroomsDexerto

    A private lawsuit against The Pokémon Company International over a former employee charged with secretly filming people at its US office. It isn't about the game.

  3. Pokémon Legends: Z-A's Mega Dimension DLC is getting a code-in-a-box releaseNintendo Life

    The paid expansion is sold in shops as well as online, so check what's in the box before buying.

Common questions

What age is Pokémon Legends: Z-A suitable for?

10 and over. ESRB rates it 10+ for fantasy violence and PEGI rates it 7. We follow the highest rating.

Is it OK for a 7-year-old?

Not this one. ESRB rates it 10+, and we never go below the highest official rating. Earlier Pokémon games, such as Scarlet and Violet, are rated for younger children.

Can strangers talk to my child in Pokémon Legends: Z-A?

No. There's no voice or text chat. Online battles match players with strangers, but they can't send messages.

Does it cost money after buying the game?

Only if you buy the Mega Dimension expansion, or pay for Nintendo Switch Online to battle online. Set a spending restriction from your Nintendo Account so nothing is bought without you.

Why is it a yes when your other reviews say no?

Because it passes every one of our safety checks on the default settings: no chat with strangers, no content made by other players, spending you can lock, and no open child-safety cases against the company.

What would change your verdict?

Chat with other players being added, or official action against the company over child safety. We re-check every review at least every three months.