Pokémon Legends: Z-A[a] is an upcoming 2025 video game developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Announced in February 2024, Legends: Z-A is part of the ninth generation of Pokémon video games and a sequel to Pokémon X and Y (2013). It takes place entirely in Lumiose City in the Kalos region, based on Paris, France. Legends: Z-A is the second Pokémon Legends game, following Legends: Arceus (2022).
| Pokémon Legends: Z-A | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Game Freak |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Director(s) | Haruka Tochigi[1] |
| Series | Pokémon |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | Late 2025 |
Gameplay
editAt the start of the game, three starter Pokémon are available: Chikorita and Totodile (from Gold and Silver), and Tepig (from Black and White).[2] As opposed to previous Pokémon games which featured turn-based combat, Legends: Z-A uses a real-time combat system that takes into account the positioning of the player character, their Pokémon, and the timing of used moves, and allows Pokémon to move around and dodge attacks while in a battle.[3] New to the title is the ability to launch pre-emptive strikes on opposing trainers that wander Lumiose City during nighttime hours, while opposing trainers are capable of the same technique and can stun your Pokémon for a few seconds. There also exist side quests in the form of bonus cards that the player can find and fulfill the objectives of to achieve points for accessing rank promotion battles (which are also rewarded when beating enemy trainers).[4]
Setting
editThe game will take place in the Kalos region, which is based on France and was first introduced in the 2013 video games Pokémon X and Y.[5] According to its trailer, the plot takes place during an urban redevelopment project in Lumiose City, which is based on Paris,[6] being undertaken by a company called Quasartico, Inc.[7] Nintendo of America has stated that the game will take place entirely within Lumiose City, where Pokémon coexist with humans in locations known as Wild Zones.[8][9] During nighttime hours, the Wild Zones become Battle Zones for the Z-A Royale, where trainers wander and can challenge and be challenged by the player to Pokémon battles. The player character's goal is to advance from Rank Z to Rank A via promotion battles with certain trainers to have a wish granted.[10] During the course of the story, the legendary Pokémon Zygarde takes an interest in the player character.[11]
Development
editOn 27 February 2024, Legends Z-A was announced during a Pokémon Presents presentation with a release window of '2025'.[12][13] At the end of the trailer, the Mega Evolution mechanic, which was first introduced in X and Y, was also confirmed to return.[14] Pokémon Legends: Z-A is being developed by Game Freak.[6] During the next Pokémon Presents, on 27 February 2025, a second video was released, giving more information on the plot and gameplay elements with an updated release window of 'late 2025'.[15][16] During the Nintendo Direct on 2 April 2025, it was confirmed that Pokémon Legends: Z-A will get an upgraded version on Nintendo Switch 2 alongside with many other Nintendo Switch games.[17]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ Lewis, Catherine (18 March 2025). "Pokemon Legends: Z-A is the first game its lead has directed, and he's focused on making the RPG a 'good one' as it reportedly continues through its 'final fine-tuning phase'". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
- ^ Yang, George (27 February 2025). "Meet The Three Starters In Pokemon Legends Z-A". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 10 March 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
- ^ Doolan, Liam (28 February 2025). "Pokémon Legends: Z-A Introduces Thrilling Series First 'Real Time' Battles". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 14 March 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
- ^ Tapsell, Chris (27 March 2025). "Pokémon Legends: Z-A has a battle royale mode that finally explains what its name means". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ Bailey, Kat (27 February 2024). "New Pokémon Legends Announced for 2025 - Pokémon Presents 2024". IGN. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ a b Webster, Andrew (27 February 2024). "Pokémon Legends: Z-A teased for 2025 release". The Verge. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ Cripe, Michael (27 February 2025). "Pokémon Legends: Z-A First Trailer Reveals Rooftop Running Gameplay and Late 2025 Release Window". IGN. Archived from the original on 27 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
- ^ Middler, Jordan (27 February 2024). "Pokémon Legends Z-A is 'set entirely within Lumiose City'". Video Games Chronicle. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ Migalla, Sean (27 February 2025). "Everything We Know About Pokémon Legends: Z-A (City, Starters, Gameplay)". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 6 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ Tapsell, Chris (27 March 2025). "Pokémon Legends: Z-A has a battle royale mode that finally explains what its name means". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 28 March 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
- ^ West, Josh (4 March 2025). "Pokemon Legends Z-A: Everything we know so far". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 6 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ Michael, Cale (27 February 2024). "Pokémon Legends: Z-A coming 2025, features return to Kalos and Mega Evolution". Dot Esports. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ Middler, Jordan (27 February 2024). "Pokemon Legends Z-A is officially coming to Nintendo Switch in 2025". Video Games Chronicle. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ Cryer, Hirun (27 February 2024). "Pokemon Legends Z-A launches in 2025 with the return of Mega Evolutions". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ Carpenter, Nicole (27 February 2025). "Here's the next look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A — and its Mega Evolutions". Polygon. Archived from the original on 27 February 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ Sheehan, Gavin (27 February 2025). "Pokémon Day 2025 Brings Multiple Announcements & Updates". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on 4 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
- ^ Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 – 02.04.2025. Nintendo UK. 2 April 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2025 – via YouTube.
