Summary
- Pokemon Legends: Z-A to feature Mega Evolutions in Lumiose City's "urban redevelopment" context.
- The second trailer and possible release window for Pokemon Legends: Z-A are likely to be revealed in Q1 2025.
- New Mega Evolutions and Gen 6 starters are rumored for Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
It has been almost one year since the first and last official display of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and the only confirmed details about it are that it will launch sometime this year and that it will include Mega Evolutions. The original trailer for Pokemon Legends: Z-A arguably did provide fans with more information regarding what the gameplay loop may be, what the setting may entail, and which critters are likely to appear in the game. Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A are assumed to be a big part of the title since the gimmick was first introduced in Gen 6's Kalos, exactly where the game takes place.
Specifically, the game is supposed to take place within the entirety of Lumiose City, which will be expanded upon in terms of size and likely its lore. Pokemon Legends: Z-A's trailer also mentioned that the game is about the "urban redevelopment plan" of Lumiose City, supposedly allowing players to make changes to the city itself as the story progresses. While official information is lacking, there are solid grounds to predict some features and Pokemon to be added to the game, and there have been plenty of leaks regarding the latest installment in the franchise.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Has The Perfect Tie-In With One Evolution Line
Between its cyberspace trailer, its urban redevelopment story, and even its own name, Pokemon Legends: Z-A should include one particular Pokemon line.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Second Trailer and Release Window
For starters, given that the game is coming in 2025, what is almost guaranteed to happen is a new trailer showing gameplay. There is currently no release date or window for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, but leaks indicate the game is allegedly planned to come between March and June of 2025. It's unclear if these plans changed, however, as last year Game Freak was hit by a hacker attack that resulted in 1TB of files about the Pokemon franchise being leaked. This leak allegedly included information about Pokemon Legends: Z-A and even a playable version of it, but the hacker behind the so-called TeraLeak didn't reveal much about it.
Renowned leaker Riddler Khu pointed out that Pokemon Legends: Z-A was originally planned to be released earlier, but after the TeraLeak it's now supposed to come out between April and July.
As such, a second trailer for the game is most likely to come in Q1 of this year. One could argue that Pokemon Day 2025, which occurs on February 27, would be the perfect moment for a new trailer, though some sources claimed it could be released before then, between January and early February. The trailer is likely to include gameplay elements like battles, traversal abilities, how evolution works, starters, Poke Balls, and possibly new Megas.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A is Bringing Back Mega Evolutions
Mega Evolutions returning in Pokemon Legends: Z-A means that most, if not all, previous ones are likely to come back. On top of that, new Mega Evolutions are all but confirmed if Game Freak intends to keep things fresh. There are currently 48 Mega Evolutions in the franchise, divided into 30 for Gen 6 games and 18 for Gen 3 remakes, so it's plausible that Pokemon Legends: Z-A may include at least 15-20 new Megas. Leaks suggest 21 new Mega Evolutions will be in the game, which is plausible with this prediction.
Held Items in Pokemon games usually play a big part in the gameplay, but they were absent in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. However, Mega Evolutions in Gen 6 required critters to hold the respective Mega Stones, so it's unclear if Pokemon Legends: Z-A will bring back Held Items or find a new method for Mega Evolutions to work.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Post-Launch Support
Though the game has yet to officially come out, it's not unlikely that it will get some form of post-launch support in 2025. Pokemon Legends: Arceus got a big update after its launch, but there were rumors of a DLC in the works. It's yet to be seen if Pokemon Legends: Z-A will follow this same pattern, but it seems plausible that it will.
Every Big Pokemon Legends: Z-A Leak So Far
Some leaks for Pokemon Legends: Z-A indicate that the game is being developed for both the Nintendo Switch and its successor, with the latter presumably having improved performance overall. There have also been leaks regarding returning Pokemon and new Megas, including:
- Stunfisk
- Mega Zeraora
- Mega Zygarde
Mega Zeraora and Mega Zygarde make sense considering the focus on the letter "z" in the title and how Zygarde was a Gen 6 Legendary Pokemon. Other leaks mention that the game will be set in modern-day Kalos, though that remains to be seen if it makes it a prequel or sequel to Gen 6 games - what it does imply is that it won't be set in the distant past like Pokemon Legends: Arceus, which seems likely based on the first trailer.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Starter Leaks and Predictions Explained
It's worth mentioning that no starters for the upcoming title have been shown so far. However, leaks state that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will feature Gen 6 starters as its own, but with some differences from their original versions. Though Pokemon Legends: Arceus featured three starters from across the franchise (namely, Rowlett from Gen 7, Cyndaquil from Gen 2, and Oshawott from Gen 5), it would make sense for Pokemon Legends: Z-A to revisit Gen 6 starters since they never got Mega Evolutions even in their native games.
Another reason why Gen 6 starters are speculated to be Pokemon Legends: Z-A's own is that all three appear in the leaked image for the 2025 World Championships.
On the other hand, it would also make sense to include Gen 6 starters in Pokemon Legends: Z-A and give them new Mega Evolutions and/or Regional Forms, and then use the same formula as Pokemon Legends: Arceus. As such, it could be a good choice to include three starters from different generations, and some leaks mentioned that Pokemon Legends: Z-A starters would be from Gens 3, 5, and 8. Since this is very much unconfirmed, it remains to be seen which approach will be used.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- October 16, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
WHERE TO PLAY
LIVE THE LIFE OF A POKÉMON TRAINER IN THE STREETS OF LUMIOSE CITY
Whether you’re a die-hard Pokémon fan or about to toss your first Poké Ball, the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game has plenty to offer for Trainers of all types. Experience classic gameplay with modern twists that are sure to revolutionize your Pokémon RPG experience.
CATCH, BATTLE, AND MEGA-EVOLVE—ALL IN REAL TIME!
Step onto the battlefield and command your Pokémon directly—there are no turns! For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, Trainers and their Pokémon can both move around in real-time battles, and your Pokémon will unleash their moves when you tell them to. Strategically swapping out your Pokémon and accounting for each move’s timing and area of effect will greatly help you in this new style of battle.
HARNESS THE POWER OF MEGA EVOLUTION
When Trainers have a strong bond with their Pokémon, a Key Stone worn by the Trainer resonates with a Mega Stone held by their Pokémon, allowing Mega Evolution to take place.
ROGUE MEGA EVOLUTION
Rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon are threatening Lumiose City. These Pokémon are extra tough to beat, but if you do manage to defeat them, you'll receive valuable Mega Stones as a reward.
RISE THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE Z-A ROYALE
You’re invited to join the Z-A Royale, a competition for Pokémon Trainers to test their skills and determine who’s strongest.
Each night, a battle zone for the competition will appear. Prepare yourself by spending the day in wild zones, catching and training Pokémon, then venture into the battle zone and take on other Trainers.
Be strategic and complete bonus card challenges as you battle to speed up your climb from Rank Z to Rank A. Can you climb the ranks and reach the top?
WELCOME TO LUMIOSE CITY
Visit shops, restaurants, and more, all centered around Prism Tower. An urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon.
BATTLE WITH TRAINERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
With a Nintendo Switch Online membership*, you can battle up to three other Trainers at once, locally or online, in frenetic real-time battles!
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
