Z-A DLC Getting a Boxed Release

Pokemon Legends: Z-A received a paid DLC expansion in 2025 for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and it appears that the Mega Dimension expansion will be offered at retailers through a boxed release. The Mega Dimension DLC expanded on the narrative from Pokemon Legends: Z-A, while adding several new elements, as well as new Mega Evolutions that were not in the base game.

The most recent mainline entry in the Pokemon franchise, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is set entirely in Lumiose City. The location originally appeared in Pokemon X and Y, and was popular enough to earn its own stage in the Super Smash Bros. series. Mega Evolution was also introduced in those 2013 Nintendo 3DS games, and the developers at Game Freak brought the mechanic back in a big way last year. Multiple fan favorite Pokemon now have Mega Evolutions that didn’t before, including Dragonite and Greninja. Several of the new Mega Evolutions from Pokemon Legends: Z-A have also started to appear in the Pokemon TCG.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s DLC Finally Brings Mega Evolution Full Circle

With the release of Mega Baxcalibur in Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s DLC, the Mega Evolution mechanic finally hits an important franchise milestone.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Mega Dimension Heads to Retailers on March 19

Box art for the boxed version of Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Mega Dimension DLC on Nintendo Switch

According to Nintendo’s Malaysian website, the boxed release for Pokemon Legends: Z-A ‘s Mega Dimension DLC will be appearing on store shelves on March 19. The box art for this release features Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y, both of which were introduced in Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s Mega Dimension DLC. A specific announcement has not been made for North America, or any other regions. In the past, games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have received physical releases that offered the DLC alongside the base game, with all content on the game card. However, that will not be the case with this offering for Mega Dimension. Instead, this is simply a code in a box, which can be redeemed on the eShop by those that own either the Switch or Switch 2 version of Pokemon Legends: Z-A. That might come as a disappointment for physical game collectors, but this does offer an option for those that want to give the DLC to friends or family as a gift.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who’s That Character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)

Over the last few weeks, fans have speculated whether Pokemon Legends: Z-A might receive additional DLC beyond what has already been released. The game still has some plot points left unresolved even after the Mega Dimension storyline, and Pokemon Winds and Waves won’t be released on Nintendo Switch 2 until sometime in 2027. Another expansion would give fans more motivation to keep playing Pokemon Legends: Z-A while they wait for the next generation to begin. If Nintendo were releasing a true physical release rather than a boxed version, it would probably indicate that more DLC is off the table. Since that’s not happening, it’s still possible that players could see more. Of course, Pokemon fans have plenty to keep them busy at the moment thanks to Pokemon Pokopia, as well as the recently released Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen.

Nintendo Switch 2 physical games have been a source of controversy over the last year. A lot of Nintendo collectors have a passion for physical game releases, but what they really want are games that exist on actual cartridges. Publishers have stirred up a lot of controversy with code in box releases, and Nintendo Switch 2’s Game-Key cards have also gotten lots of hate. Pokemon fans will no doubt be disappointed that Pokemon Legends: Z-A isn’t getting a fancy physical release with the Mega Dimension DLC on the same cartridge, and this boxed option will be superfluous for most. However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be something more significant released at some point, if there’s enough demand.