Pokemon Legends Arceus gameplay and map leaks thanks to retail copy

The key art for Pokemon Legends Arceus
(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

A Pokemon Legends Arceus copy has already made its way into the hands of a player, and the leaks are coming.

Yesterday, the PokeLeaks subreddit became a hive of activity, when users began reporting that someone had received a copy of Pokemon Legends Arceus early. Right now, if you head over to the subreddit, you'll find a number of posts revealing in-game screenshots, the game's title screen, and much more besides. 

In one particular post on the subreddit, we can even see the map screen for Pokemon Legends Arceus. We can see the player character being introduced to the way the game's world functions through a tutorial screen, as well as what we can only assume must be an early in-game quest, as they're tasked to familiarise themselves with this new world.

In fact, there's even leaked gameplay footage doing the rounds on Twitter. As you can see in the tweet below, actual gameplay of Pokemon Legends Arceus has made its way online, and we can see a trainer running around in what looks to be an introductory battle in the Hisui region, while periodically commanding their Pokemon to duke it out with a rival.

This is a pretty significant leak for Nintendo's new game, all things considered. The fact that we've already seen the title screen, screenshots, and even gameplay less than 24 hours after the first copy broke the street date means there's surely more leaks for Pokemon Legends Arceus to come over the next week or so.

In fact, leaked copies have even appeared on eBay. Earlier today, copies of Pokemon Legends Arceus appeared on the reselling website, with one in particular retailing for over $70. Perhaps it's not just a case of a few copies having broken the street date, as we originally thought.

There's still over a week to go until Pokemon Legends Arceus is actually due to release. The new action-RPG isn't due to launch until next Friday on January 28, but it's looking like we'll have plenty more details leaked online over the coming days. If you're particularly cautious about spoilers for Arceus, you'll want to be extra vigilant online.

Check out our early Pokemon Legends Arceus preview for what we've got to look forward to in the new game.

Hirun Cryer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshot showing female protagonist Naoe
A month from launch, Ubisoft confirms "players have accessed Assassin's Creed Shadows ahead of its official release," advises you "stay in the shadows" to avoid spoilers
Pikachu fainted, looking worn out on the ground in the Pokemon anime.
Pokemon leaker behind last year's enormous 'Teraleak' is apparently back after 2 months of silence, and they're already continuing their beef with other leakers
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Pokemon Legends Z-A: Everything we know so far
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Pokemon Legends: Z-A's director appears to be a Xenoblade Chronicles fan, and I'm now feeling very validated about a tiny detail I spotted in the upcoming RPG's gameplay trailer
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot showing Taunie, a girl with blonde and pink hair, holding a Poke Ball.
Pokemon Legends Z-A brings a "series first": Real-time dodges and commands with action RPG energy that makes the whole thing feel way more like the anime
Eevee looks nervous in a costume in an episode of the Pokemon anime
The Pokemon Company addresses Prismatic Evolutions and TCG shortages as scalpers feast: "We are actively working to print more"
Latest in Pokemon
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Pokemon Legends: Z-A will allegedly introduce 27 new Mega Evolutions, leakers claim, and we can only hope Flygon gets its chance this time
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shiny Cards
How to get Shiny Pokemon in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot
Pokemon Legends: Z-A's director appears to be a Xenoblade Chronicles fan, and I'm now feeling very validated about a tiny detail I spotted in the upcoming RPG's gameplay trailer
Pokemon TCG Pocket
Pokemon TCG Pocket is getting yet another new expansion as the addition of shinies and Gen 9 Pokemon keep free-to-play players drowning in new cards to collect
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shining Revelry
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shining Revelry release date and details
Pokemon GO
Despite new ownership's iffy history, Pokemon GO lead claims intrusive ads and playtime restrictions won't plague the game: "Not now, not ever"
Latest in News
Dune Awakening
Dune Awakening launches for $50 without a stay in early access, and while the survival MMO "will not have a monthly subscription" it will have "optional" paid DLC
Linda Cardellini as Laura Barton in Hawkeye
Linda Cardellini cast as Jason's mom, the original Friday the 13th killer, for Crystal Lake prequel series
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 studio CD Projekt Red won't make survival games just because they're popular, but Netflix's Edgerunners anime is fueling dreams bigger than RPGs
Assassin's Creed Shadows screenshot showing female protagonist Naoe
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe actor was terrified to perform until her first mocap scene earned "a standing ovation" on set: "Maybe I can do this mocap thing"
Daredevil: Born Again
Marvel may have just sneakily confirmed one of the biggest Daredevil: Born Again fan theories
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Yasuke actor says that Naoe could beat his samurai in a fight: “Especially with that big a** helmet of mine”