| Pokemon Legends Z-A | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
| Release Date | |
|---|---|
| October 16, 2025 More Details |
|
| Genre | |
| Adventure, RPG, Strategy | |
| Platforms | Price (MSRP) |
  |
$59.99 (Switch) $69.99 (Switch 2) |
| Developer | Publisher |
| Game Freak | Nintendo The Pokémon Company |
| Number of Players | Age Rating |
| 1-4 | ESRB E |
| Time to Finish | Cross Platform Play |
| 20-40 Hours | Yes (For Switch and Switch 2) |
| Official Website | Offical Website for Pokémon Legends: Z-A |
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Latest News
⚫︎ Pokémon Legends: Z-A will release excluside Pokémon Café menu items to commemorate upcoming Mega Dimensions DLC release. The latest selections include an exclusive Hoopa-themed drink and 2 legendary-designed donuts that are hinted to appear in the expansion.
⚫︎ A new Mega Evolution jumps into the fray in the Mega Dimension DLC as Mega Zeraora makes its debut in a new trailer. Zubat, Golbat, and Crowbat will also be making their appearances in the game through the expansion.
⚫︎ Pokémon Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension DLC is coming on December 10th, bringing in new Mega Evolutions, a new storyline, and a lifted level cap that allows Pokémon to level up past 100.
⚫︎ Pokémon Legends: Z-A players can receive a special Slowpoke if they let out their best impression of its cry. This promotion is currently happening at Pokémon Centers in Japan in commemoration of the grand opening of Pokémon Center Kagawa.
⚫︎ Pokémon Legends: Z-A is being review bombed despite having a favorable critic score. Fans have pointed out the game's small map size, still having no voiceover, poor visuals, and a plethora of other concerns.
⚫︎ Pokémon Legends: Z-A pre-orders are suddenly getting canceled. Fans voiced out their concerns as they are notified that their pre-orders were called off despite them not doing so.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Overview
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the follow-up to Game Freak’s Pokémon Legends: Arceus and marks the third mainline entry in the ninth generation of Pokémon titles, coming after Scarlet and Violet. It launched on October 16, 2025, and is playable on both the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2, featuring improved resolution and smoother frame rates on the newer hardware.
The game wholly takes place within the sprawling metropolis of Lumiose City, the grandest settlement in the Kalos region. While it's in the midst of a major rehabilitation and reconstruction plan that seeks to allow humans and Pokemon to live in harmony, players will arrive to the city and will meet its numerous color townsfolk and cheerful Pokemon.
Players will choose their partner Pokémon from Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile and begin their journey through the urban sprawl of Lumiose City. By day, Trainers can explore vibrant city streets and venture into wild zones to discover Pokémon. At night, the action heats up with the Z-A Royale—where players compete to rise through the ranks in intense battles against powerful Trainers. Join Team MZ, a crew dedicated to keeping the peace in Lumiose City, and uncover all-new Mega Evolutions along the way!
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch |
Switch 2 |
||||
| $59.99 | $69.99 | ||||
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Gameplay
Pokemon Legends: Z-A is an open-world adventure RPG akin to its predecessor, Pokemon Legends Arceus. Contary to the well-worn formula of mainline Pokemon games which feature a rigid structure of exploring regions and turn-based battles, Pokemon Legends: Z-A feature real-time Pokemon battles where players can order their companion Pokemon around the battlefield, dodging moves alongside them. Pokemon's moves will have their own ranges that can reach and strike other Pokemon depending on how close or far they are from each other, a first for the series.
Just like in previous games, players can choose to play as a boy or a girl. This time, the adventure takes place entirely within Lumiose City. During the day, Trainers can explore the bustling city streets and venture into wild zones, where they might encounter powerful Alpha Pokémon. When night falls, the excitement continues with the Z-A Royale—an intense battle competition where players fight to climb the ranks and take on even stronger Trainers. Along the way, players can also team up with Team MZ, a group dedicated to keeping Lumiose City safe.
The Switch 2 version will feature enhanced resolution and improved frame rates for an even more immersive experience.
Mega Evolutions
Generation 6 brought Pokemon fans to the region of Kalos and introduced the Mega Evolution mechanic. However, not long after the generation passed, the mechanic was never utilized again, until now. With the franchise's return to Kalos and Lumiose City, it will once again feature the powerful mechanic of Mega Evolutions, allowing certain Pokemon to ability to evolve once during battle and assume more powerful forms that boosts their stats and changes some of their types.
In addition, a new threat looms over the city—Rogue Mega Evolutions. These are wild Pokémon that have begun Mega Evolving on their own, causing chaos across Lumiose. As part of Team MZ, players will investigate these mysterious outbreaks and take on these rampaging Pokémon in intense battles. Defeating them not only helps restore peace but also rewards players with Mega Stones, unlocking powerful new evolutions for their own team.
So far, the following Mega Evolutions have been confirmed:
⚫︎ Mega Dragonite
⚫︎ Mega Lucario
⚫︎ Mega Kangaskhan
⚫︎ Mega Absol
⚫︎ Mega Sableye
⚫︎ Mega Altaria
⚫︎ Mega Gyarados
⚫︎ Mega Charizard Y
⚫︎ Mega Charizard X
⚫︎ Mega Ampharos
⚫︎ Mega Gardevoir
All Confirmed Pokemon So Far
Much like the previous Pokemon Legends game, the sequel will feature a variety cast of Pokemon available to be faught, cought, and befriended. For an updated list of confirmed Pokemon along with their evolution lines, click the button below:
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Community Reaction
A Pokemon Sequel Fans Have Been Waiting
The official announcement trailer for Pokémon Legends: Z-A has been met with generally positive reactions. While comments are disabled on the Pokémon YouTube channel due to the channel being aimed towards kids, the video has garnered over 1 million views and 48k likes. Gamespot’s upload of the same trailer has also surpassed 1 million views, with 21k likes, and their open comment section has seen fans expressing excitement.
Many fans have expressed excitement for a sequel to Pokémon Legends: Arceus as well as the long-rumored Pokémon Z, a speculated game that was never released. Pokémon Z was believed to be an enhanced version of Pokémon X and Y, much like Pokémon Emerald was for Ruby and Sapphire or Pokémon Platinum was for Diamond and Pearl.
Fans are particularly thrilled that the game is set in Lumiose City, with many praising Kalos as an underrated region. Theories are also circulating about the game’s time period, as Legends: Arceus was set in the distant past, leaving fans wondering whether Legends: Z-A will follow a similar historical approach.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Announcement Trailer
Pokémon Legends: Z-A releases simultaneously worldwide in 2025!
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Trivia
⚫︎ It’s been over a decade since a Pokémon game was last set in the Kalos region.
⚫︎ Mega Evolution is making its return for the first time since Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee!
⚫︎ The game features seven different logos, available in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
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