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If you mean Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the best alternative depends on what you want to do: choose Pokémon Scarlet or Violet for a traditional open-world RPG with group exploration, Pokémon Legends: Arceus for solo-focused exploration and catching, or Pokémon Pokopia for cozy building with optional multiplayer. “The new Pokémon game” is ambiguous: Nintendo lists Legends: Z-A as released on October 16, 2025, and the Pokémon Company says it is available now, but other Pokémon games have since appeared. [Nintendo; The Pokémon Company]
Best alternatives at a glance
| Game | Best for | Solo and multiplayer | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Scarlet or Violet | A traditional Pokémon RPG with an open world and varied group activities | One player on one system; two to four players locally; one to four online. Explore, trade, and battle with others. | Nintendo Switch |
| Pokémon Legends: Arceus | Solo exploration, research, and catching | One player on one system; two players in local or online multiplayer. | Nintendo Switch |
| Pokémon Pokopia | Cozy crafting, building, and restoring a world | One to four players on one system; two to four locally; one to four online. | Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive |
Player counts and feature descriptions are from Nintendo’s product listings: Scarlet, Legends: Arceus, and Pokopia. Nintendo’s cited Scarlet page is for Scarlet; check the listing for your chosen version and region for applicable details.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Pokémon Pokopia - Nintendo Switch 2 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Pokémon Legends: Arceus - US Version | $54.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Pokémon FireRed Version Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/413QNFueWML._SL160_.jpg)
|
Pokémon FireRed Version Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Pokemon Shining Pearl - Nintendo Switch Shining Pearl Edition | $52.48 | Buy on Amazon |
Choose Scarlet or Violet for a traditional RPG and multiplayer variety
Scarlet and Violet are the strongest fit if you want a conventional Pokémon adventure that you can progress through on your own, with multiplayer activities available when friends join. Nintendo describes three story paths, giving the solo campaign more than one central objective. In multiplayer, you can explore together, trade, and battle.
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Nintendo lists one player on a single system, two to four players over local wireless, and one to four online. That makes these games the most versatile option here for mixing solo story progress with group play. Online features require Nintendo Switch Online; check current regional terms before subscribing. Nintendo’s Scarlet listing
#1 Best Overall
- Shape the world and build a cozy new life with Pokémon as a Ditto transformed to look like a human.
- Use other Pokémon’s moves, like Bulbasaur’s Leafage, to revitalize and navigate the world around you.
- Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
- Gather materials to create items and furniture, till the fields to grow delicious crops, build homes for the Pokémon you meet, and more—there’s so much to do!
- Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
Choose Legends: Arceus for solo exploration and catching
Pokémon Legends: Arceus centers on exploring the Hisui region and working toward its first Pokédex. Its emphasis on action, exploration, and research makes it the clearest pick if the main appeal is spending time catching and learning about Pokémon rather than arranging a large group session.
Nintendo lists one player on a single system and two players for local or online play. Those counts make multiplayer available, but it is a smaller-scale option than Scarlet and Violet for group play. Online features require Nintendo Switch Online; check current regional terms. Nintendo’s Legends: Arceus listing
Rank #2
- Action meets RPG in this new take on the Pokémon series
- Study Pokémon behaviors, sneak up on them, and toss a well-aimed Poké Ball to catch them
- Unleash moves in the speedy agile style or the powerful strong style in battles
- Travel to the Hisui region—the Sinnoh of old—and build the region’s first Pokédex
- Learn about the Mythical Pokémon Arceus, the key to this mysterious tale
Choose Pokopia for cozy building and social play
Pokémon Pokopia changes the activity from a conventional Pokémon journey to building and restoring a world as Ditto. It suits players who would rather craft and shape a place than focus on the usual story-and-battle loop. Nintendo lists one to four players on one system, two to four locally, and one to four online.
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Pokopia is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, so it is not an option for players with only an original Nintendo Switch. Nintendo lists its release date as March 5, 2026. Online features may require Nintendo Switch Online; check the current terms for your region. Nintendo’s Pokopia listing
Rank #3
- Set off on a grand adventure to become the Pokémon League Champion—now on Nintendo Switch!
- Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon with this Nintendo Switch version* of the Pokémon FireRed Version game originally released on the Game Boy Advance system!
- Additional games and systems required for multiplayer mode. Sold separately. 2004 Pokémon. 1995-2004 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc. Pokémon and Nintendo Switch are trademarks of Nintendo.
How these choices compare with Legends: Z-A multiplayer
Legends: Z-A itself remains an option if you are deciding whether you need an alternative at all: it supports solo play and multiplayer for two to four players through local wireless or online play. Nintendo Support says each system needs a copy for online play, and Link Play unlocks after approximately 1 to 1.5 hours of play. That is an approximate progression requirement, not a fixed real-time wait.
For online play, Nintendo’s setup instructions are the place to check the required steps: How to Start a Multiplayer Game. Nintendo Switch Online can be required for online features; local wireless is a separate way to play nearby without using the online mode. Check current regional membership terms.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Revisit the Sinnoh region from the original Pokémon Pearl Version game and set off to try and become the Champion of the Pokémon League
- The Pokémon Shining Pearl game brings new life to this remade classic with added features
- Explore the Grand Underground to dig up items and Pokémon Fossils, build a Secret Base, and more.
- Test your style and rhythm in a Super Contest Show
- A reimagined adventure, now for the Nintendo Switch system
Which one should you pick?
- Pick Scarlet or Violet if you want a traditional open-world Pokémon RPG and the broadest mix of group activities.
- Pick Legends: Arceus if your priority is exploring, catching, and progressing mostly on your own.
- Pick Pokopia if you want building and restoration, and have a Nintendo Switch 2.
- Stay with Legends: Z-A if its solo adventure and two-to-four-player Link Play are the activities you want; it already offers both.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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