Skip to main content

Long read: How TikTok's most intriguing geolocator makes a story out of a game

Where in the world is Josemonkey?

If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus release time in UK / GMT, CEST, EST and PST

When you can get your hands on Pokémon's biggest departure in decades.

Matthew Reynolds avatar
Guide by Matthew Reynolds Contributor
Updated on

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a huge departure for the series - a cross between a traditional, mainline entry that takes cues from action games such as Monster Hunter and Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but with the battle, trade, collect ethos in tact.

We called it "flimsy and compulsive - and exhilaratingly new" in our Pokémon Legends: Arceus review, and you can play it as soon as your local Pokémon Legends: Arceus release time will allow.

While you wait, we have a few other stories which might take your interest - such as Nintendo taking aim at a fan-made Pokémon FPS to how Pokémon fans think the Diamond and Pearl remakes hold hints for Legends: Arceus.

Cover image for YouTube videoPokémon Legends: Arceus Review - NEW POKÉMON LEGENDS: ARCEUS GAMEPLAY NINTENDO SWITCH
Watch on YouTube

When does Pokémon Legends: Arceus release? Pokémon Legends: Arceus release time in UK / GMT, CEST, EST and PST explained

The Pokémon Legends: Arceus release date is Friday, January 28th, and based on previous first-party Switch games, will be available at midnight local time for those purchasing digitally on eShop.

The exception is for those in North America, where if you are on the West Coast, it will be available when it unlocks midnight East Coast time - in other words, at 9pm PST.

In summary, the Pokémon Legends: Arceus release times are as follows for your region:

  • UK: 0:01am (GMT)
  • Europe: 0:01am (CEST)
  • East Coast US: 0:01am (EST)
  • West Coast US: 9pm, January 27th (PST)

This means for those in Europe, you have to wait until midnight to start playing. Our recommendation, however, is to get a good night's sleep first, so you can start playing fully refreshed in the morning.

It should be added the exception to the above is if you have a physical copy of the game, in which case, you can start playing as soon as you get your hands on it. This might explain the various leaks doing the rounds, which Nintendo is battling to contain - including those streaming the game online. (Don't worry, we don't spoil anything in our coverage of these early copies.)

Pokémon Legends: Arceus download size

Pokémon Legends: Arceus has a storage requirement of 6GB for those downloading digitally from the eShop.

It is, of course, possible to change as updates as introduced. Though nothing has been confirmed in terms of DLC, as with all games there will inevitably be some small patches and tweaks post-release, so if you are tight on space, best to have a bit of room to accommodate those for when they come in.

Read this next