If you want to play Pokémon Legends: Z-A before it officially comes out in your country, there’s an easy way to do it. Because the game releases at midnight in each country’s local time on Thursday, September 16, 2025, players in places like New Zealand get access earlier than others. By setting up a New Zealand or Australian Nintendo account and using a VPN, you can unlock the game hours before it comes out in your area. Here’s an easy, step-by-step guide to help you set everything up and start playing early.
Play Pokémon Legends Z-A Before Release
To play Pokémon Legends ZA early, you will first need to make a New Zealand or Australian Nintendo account. Then, download a VPN. After your VPN is ready, you will need to create your new Nintendo account. Use a completely new email, you can’t reuse one that’s already connected to an existing Nintendo account.
Australian method
Australian method is a bit easier. Australia’s Nintendo eShop works well with prepaid cards, and you can easily find them online on sites. For the Australian setup:
- Open your VPN and connect to Australia.
- Go to store.nintendo.com.au and create a new account.
- Select “Age 13 or over,” fill out your details, and hit continue.
- Check your email for a verification code, enter it, and finish setting up the account.
Once that’s done, grab your Switch and go to: System Settings > Users > Add User > Sign into a Nintendo Account.
Choose “Other Sign-In Options” and enter the email and password you just made. After you verify it, your new account will appear on your Switch. Now, open the eShop to confirm it’s showing prices in Australian dollars (AUD). Head to G2A.com, select “Australia,” and buy a $100 AUD Nintendo eShop card. For the Switch 2 version, grab a $100 card plus a $15 one.
New Zealand method
If you’d rather go with the New Zealand method, or can’t find eShop cards, you can use a virtual Visa card instead. Go to prezzycard.co.nz. This site lets you buy a digital Visa card you can use on the Nintendo eShop. Here’s how:
- Set your VPN to New Zealand and follow the same steps to make a NZ Nintendo account.
- On the Prezi Card site, buy a virtual Visa card, either $119.95 NZD for Switch 2 or $99.95 NZD for Switch 1.
- Add it to your cart and go to checkout.
- Create an account.
- You will need to enter a New Zealand address, but it’s only for verification.
- Make sure you select a virtual card.
- Choose a payment option.
Use your card to pay, U.S. or worldwide cards usually work fine. You will get a one-time code to confirm your purchase. Just make sure to place your order between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. New Zealand time, since that’s when they process digital cards.
Once you get your Visa card by email, it will include a 16-digit card number and CVC code. Go back to your Nintendo eShop, open Pokémon Legends ZA, and click Proceed to Purchase. Choose Credit Card, enter your Prezi card info, and you’re good to go.
