Pokemon Legends Z-A is currently scheduled for release in 2025, although developers still have yet to announce a more specific date. In fact, fans remain in the dark about many important aspects of the game. There hasn't been official confirmation of which Pokemon will serve as the Starters in Pokemon Legends Z-A, although that hasn't stopped a couple of different rumors from floating around.
Pokemon Legends Z-A takes place in the Kalos Region, which was first introduced in Pokemon X and Y. At the moment, the prevailing theory is that Legends Z-A will feature the same Starters as Pokemon X and Y. There have been a few different reasons that speculation has turned in this direction, but the decision itself would come with plenty of pros and cons.
Pokemon Leaker Teases Legends Z-A Starters May Come With a Twist
The Pokemon Legends: Z-A starters will be "something different than what most fans expect, according to a popular Pokemon leaker.
The Pros and Cons of Gen 6 Starter Pokemon Making a Return in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Pokemon Legends Z-A Could Give the Gen 6 Starter Pokemon a Second Chance
Pokemon X and Y featured the lovable trio of Fennekin, Froakie, and Chespin. This trio then evolved into Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught for their respective final stages. Although all three lines have their fans, there's no question that Greninja has far surpassed its peers. This gap has only widened since Greninja was added to Super Smash Bros., and especially thanks to the invention of Ash Greninja in the anime.
By contrast, Delphox and Chesnaught faced a lot more controversy upon their initial reveal. Some still believe that Delphox and Chesnaught lack cohesion with their prior forms, and that both final stages could have been given a more striking design. First and foremost, Pokemon Legends Z-A reusing the Kalos Starters would give these two Pokemon another time to shine.
Of course, it would also be a special treat for the existing fans of this trio. After all, Pokemon X and Y introduced Mega Evolutions, but never doled them out to its own Starters. Instead, Starter Pokemon from Generations 1 and 3 were given all the attention to play around with the new gimmick. Mega Evolution remains one of Pokemon's most popular gimmicks, and will make a return in Pokemon Legends Z-A. If the Kalos Starters return alongside it, the trio could finally have a chance to receive Mega Evolutions of their own.
Pokemon Legends Z-A Has Plenty of Other Options to Choose From
However, this decision would hardly be all sunshine and rainbows. For one, there is simply a much greater interest in other Starters throughout the series. With the notable exception of Greninja, the Kalos Starters could easily be replaced by a different Pokemon with more fans. Likewise, if this rumor turns out to be true, fans of Pokemon like Incineroar or Empoleon will have to wait at least another Generation for their favorites to get another chance at the spotlight.
Incineroar comes to mind as a prominent example because of its popularity, but Empoleon has sparked a different discussion entirely thanks to its inherently French inspiration. Pokemon Legends: Arceus used a Starter trio with strong significance to its setting, which is based on a region of Japan during a time period hundreds of years before any other Pokemon game to date. Although the setting of Pokemon Legends: Z-A remains vague regarding its timeline, it is at least known that it will take place in Lumiose City.
During its debut in Pokemon X and Y, it was immediately clear that Lumiose City was based off of Paris, France. If Pokemon Legends: Z-A was to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor, it would make sense to pick a set of Starter Pokemon that are more tied to France. Meanwhile, the original X and Y Starters were more apparently based on traditional RPG classes. This is still a pretty solid theme for the trio to take, which ultimately reveals the problem at hand. Many people may want Pokemon Legends: Z-A to tread new ground, while others may want to see the Kalos Starters get a second chance, but there isn't an easy way to please both camps.
-
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
