Pokemon Legends: Z-A was part of the recent Pokemon Presents showcase, as a fresh trailer gave players a new glimpse into the world of Lumiose City. Anticipation has been mounting for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and with each new reveal has come more details. Between announcements about Pokemon Champions, Pokemon Friends, and TCG: Mega Evolution, there is a decent amount of Pokemon content to look forward to, but Pokemon Legends: Z-A remains one of the most sought-after projects.
This brand-new trailer has been particularly exciting, because it has confirmed the return of some X and Y characters. In a shocking twist, X and Y villain Mable is now a Professor, while Emma also makes a comeback. The return of both characters is an exciting callback to X and Y, and when it comes to the latter, her evolution since players last saw her is compelling.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Basically Showed All 26 New Mega Evolutions
Pokemon Legends: Z-A's new trailer revealed Mega Dragonite as one of the new Megas in the game, but this inadvertently showed all 25 remaining ones.
Emma's Role in Pokemon Legends: Z-A Promises a Character Who Has Experienced a Wonderful Amount of Growth
Emma's Story in X and Y
When Emma was first introduced in X and Y, she was living in Lumiose City's alleyways. Orphaned and without any money, Emma is eventually taken in by Looker, living at the Looker Bureau. Under his guardianship, Emma was taught to read and write, while also working as his assistant. Based on the information Pokemon Legends: Z-A has revealed about Emma so far, it looks like her time as Looker's assistant has been incredibly influential over the years. There were several big reveals about Pokemon Legends: Z-A at the Pokemon Presents event, but the return of Emma is a nostalgic detail that many longtime players will likely appreciate.
In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Emma Has Become a Strong and Capable Detective
Following in Looker's footsteps, Emma has inherited her very own detective agency, becoming one of the top investigators in Lumiose City. This time around, instead of helping Looker on investigations, players will assist Emma with cases, bringing forth a fun full-circle moment. Pokemon Legends: Z-A's new characters are intriguing in their own right, but Emma offers one of the game's most meaningful connections to X and Y, at least so far.
For those who first enjoyed Emma as a character in X and Y, her return in Pokemon Legends: Z-A is bound to be an exciting moment. There are some characters who have yet to be confirmed to return, like Professor Sycamore, but having familiar faces like Emma and Mable among the cast is comforting news.
Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch and Pichu was also announced at the Pokemon Presents showcase. This project is a stop-motion animated series developed by Aardman Animation, the studio behind the iconic Wallace & Gromit franchise.
Following in Looker's footsteps, Emma has inherited her very own detective agency, becoming one of the top investigators in Lumiose City.
The Wait for Pokemon Legends: Z-A is Growing Shorter
- Pokemon Legends: Z-A launches on October 16.
- The game was first announced in February 2024.
It's been a long wait for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, but that is quickly coming to an end. For Switch and Switch 2 owners, the promise of a brand-new Pokemon title is exciting, but there may be even more surprises in store that aren't apparent until the game launches. Whether it's yet-to-be-revealed Mega Evolutions or returning characters waiting in the wings, this new chapter could still throw in some fun twists.
Of course, only time will tell, but the return of Emma and Mable suggests that more X and Y characters could make an appearance in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. If so, it will be fascinating to see if they have changed and grown just as much as Emma seemingly has.
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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
