Pokémon Legends: Arceus (Légendes Pokémon : Arceus in French, Pokémon LEGENDS アルセウス in Japan) is an action RPG from GAME FREAK that launched on Nintendo Switch on January 28, 2022, on the same date worldwide. This page brings together the technical specs, the editions and pre-order bonuses, the update history, the connections with other games and the state of compatibility today.
| Title | Pokémon Legends: Arceus |
|---|---|
| Original title | Pokémon LEGENDS アルセウス (Pokémon LEGENDS Arceus) |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch (playable on Nintendo Switch 2) |
| Release in France | January 28, 2022 |
| Release in Japan | January 28, 2022 |
| Release in North America | January 28, 2022 |
| Release in Europe and Australia | January 28, 2022 |
| Developer | GAME FREAK |
| Publishers | The Pokémon Company, Nintendo |
| Genre | Action RPG |
| Players | 1 |
| Series | Pokémon Legends (first entry), eighth generation |
| Languages | Nine languages: French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese |
| Rating | PEGI 7 (CERO A, ESRB E) |
| Size | 6.0 GB (6.1 GB on the official page) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Nintendo Switch Online, Pokémon HOME since version 2.0.0 |
| Sales | 14.83 million copies as of March 31, 2023 |
Release and game versions
Announced during the Pokémon Presents of February 26, 2021 in France (February 27 in Japan), for the franchise’s 25th anniversary, the game came out in January 2022 in a single version, a first for a title that introduces a new region. It is available on cartridge and as a download. It runs in the nine languages listed above with no extra purchase. The release date and cover art were revealed in late May 2021, at the same time as those of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
There is no paid downloadable content: the big update “Daybreak” (version 1.1.0) is free. It is covered in the “Daybreak” update.
Editions and pre-order bonuses
Every pre-order came with a digital bonus: the Growlithe Set (Hisuian Form). Some retailers added gifts: a pre-order on Amazon.co.jp also included the Garchomp Set; on Amazon.co.uk, you could get a steelbook and a game storage box styled after the Hisuian Poké Balls; at Micromania in France, the pre-order came with an Arceus figurine and the Garchomp Set. Our news article from the time on accessories in the game’s colors also covers Switch bags and cases.
As for the online store, Nintendo detailed the eShop page and its download size in January 2022: see its eShop version unveiled by Nintendo.
Update history
The game has received five content updates. The first is a patch delivered before launch; the following versions fix crashes and add content. The dates are Nintendo’s; depending on the time zone, some sources shift them by a day.
| Version | Date | What it brings |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0.1 | January 26, 2022 | Fixes for a smoother play experience. |
| 1.0.2 | February 8, 2022 | Fix for a screen freeze after picking up a lost satchel in offline mode; for a bug that prevented catching Cherrim after a form change; for a mission event that would not trigger; and for a flaw that allowed some legendary Pokémon to be obtained twice while preventing others from being obtained. The affected Pokémon reappear for those who missed them. See our news article on patch 1.0.2. |
| 1.1.0 “Daybreak” | February 27, 2022 | New requests (nos. 95 to 122), Massive Mass Outbreaks, Dream Challenge, Lone Path, Heroic Path, Extreme Balloon Popper, new Photography options, a special Berry harvest in the village, more dialogue choices with a villager. Fix for the Moonview Arena plate softlock and the frozen weather. |
| 1.1.1 | March 17, 2022 | Fix for a bug that prevented players from receiving the Shiny Charm despite meeting the conditions. Affected players receive it by talking to Professor Laventon. |
| 2.0.0 | May 18, 2022 | Pokémon HOME compatibility. |
Update 1.1.0 is the most important: it adds content for dozens of hours and changes the flow of the post-credits game. It was announced and released on February 27, 2022 during the Pokémon Presents; our article from the time presents it under the title New update: Daybreak (1.1.0). Every update is required to play online.
Pokémon HOME and other games
Since version 2.0.0, the game is compatible with Pokémon HOME. Only Pokémon from the Hisui Pokédex can enter it, and non-Hisuian regional forms are refused, except Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales. A Pokémon coming from another game has its original Poké Ball replaced by a generic Ball, and its moveset is replaced by its last four moves learned by level; its original moves are restored when it goes back to HOME. Pokémon that have gone into Pokémon Legends: Z-A or a later game can no longer return to Arceus.
Trading with other players is possible online with a nearby or distant partner; there is no online battling. Our older article Trading explains how it works.
Save data bonuses
The game rewards having save data from other games on the same console:
- Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!: the Pikachu festival mask and the Eevee one.
- Sword and Shield: Shaymin’s kimono and kimono bottom; after the credits, request no. 92, which lets you obtain the Gracidea and catch Shaymin.
- Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl: the modern jacket, pants and shoes; after the credits, request no. 93, which lets you catch Darkrai.
Conversely, Pokémon Legends: Arceus save data unlocks an Azure Flute in the player’s room in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (usable after the Hall of Origin and obtaining the National Pokédex) and an Arceus case for the Rotom Phone in Scarlet and Violet.
Playing it today
The game runs on the original Nintendo Switch, the Switch Lite and the Switch OLED. Nintendo also states that it is supported by the Nintendo Switch 2, with behavior identical to the Switch: it is a backward-compatible game, with no announced enhancements. TV, tabletop and handheld modes are all possible. Updating to the latest version is required for any online feature.
The game exists on cartridge and in a digital version. To find out whether the adventure is still worth it, read our review of the game.
What to read next
- getting started: choosing your starter Pokémon and organizing your first hours.
- new features and mechanics: everything that changes compared with other Pokémon games.
- development, reception and sales: the team, the critics and the numbers.
