A Pokemon Legends: Z-A gameplay demo event was held at the Pokemon World Championships 2025, giving players the opportunity to get hands-on with the game for roughly 20 minutes. The demo revealed new gameplay features, core mechanics, and more details regarding Mega Evolutions, letting the player base know what to expect when Pokemon Legends: Z-A finally launches on October 16.
As its release date approaches, Game Freak and Nintendo have steadily been lifting the curtain on Pokemon Legends: Z-A. With the reveal of Dragonite’s new Mega Evolution, excitement has steadily been building, and this gameplay demo further amplifies it. Following the position reception for Pokemon Legends: Arceus, expectations are high for the next foray into the past, and from the looks of it, Z-A is ready to deliver.
3 Leaked Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Evolutions Make One Story Beat Obvious
Of the 26 remaining rumored new Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, three may take part in repeating a famous Pokemon X and Y event.
Major Details Revealed in Pokemon Legends: Z-A Gameplay Demo
Event-goers, including The Best War Games’s Editor-in-Chief Anthony Taormina, were allowed to record and upload their experience of the Pokemon Legends: Z-A live demo. In it, it was revealed that Lumiose City’s map is split into 10 different sections, with at least 6 Wild Areas, and 9 Pokemon Centers, though the number and nature of Wild Areas could change during the course of the story. Pokemon that are caught in a Wild Area are displayed on the map screen when hovering over that area.
In-game menu scrolling seems to suggest that Pokemon will not have abilities, though Natures and Held Items remain. It was also shown that TM Moves and relearned moves can be managed from the same menu screen, confirming the recent Pokemon Legends: Z-A leak. Certain areas appeared to be blocked by rock mounds, likely requiring something like “Rock Smash” to get through. Mega Stones seem to be available either by collecting Mega Shards or by defeating bosses.
In combat, it looks like moves are on individual cooldown timers, with longer times for more powerful Pokemon moves in Z-A, with switching mid-battle being instant. Bag items can be used mid-battle by pausing the game, but doing so initiates a roughly 10-second cooldown timer. If a Pokemon undergoes a stat change, it is displayed underneath the health gauge, with arrows indicating whether a stat is lowered or raised. Experience is shared between party members, with the Pokemon that dealt the final blow receiving roughly double the XP. Additionally, sneak attacking triggers the “First Strike” bonus, increasing damage.
The second part of the demo displayed how Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokemon will work in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Notably, it looks like only Mega-Evolved Pokemon can deal appreciable damage to Rogues. Additionally, Mega-Evolving in Z-A seems to require filling a meter by collecting orbs dropped by Rogues when they receive damage. Trainer Pokemon Mega Evolutions are on a one-minute timer when triggered, but this can be extended by picking up more orbs. It was also confirmed that players can initiate Mega Evolution multiple times in a single battle. Finally, defeating a Rogue rewards players with a Mega Stone of the corresponding type.
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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
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
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
