Pokemon Legends: Z-A has several areas where it can surpass its predecessor, and one overlooked aspect is well worth exceeding expectations. Pokemon Legends: Arceus already laid down a strong blueprint to follow. In that sense, Pokemon Legends: Z-A already has a good amount of points worth either repeating or upgrading. However, in the bigger picture, there are a few more specific areas where the game could use an upgrade. One element in particular is perfectly positioned for a big upgrade. It might not be clear at first, but the amount of potential that it holds could make for something special.
Footage from Pokemon Legends: Z-A's recent trailer shows that the game does seem set on evolving what the first game in the subseries provided. The approach to catching Pokemon that was introduced in Legends: Arceus is making a comeback, with a few new details. The addition of Wild Zones full of wild Pokemon feels quite similar to the Wild Area that players saw in Pokemon Sword and Shield, while also making sense for a modern setting like Lumiose City. The increased emphasis on trainer battles looks like one of the biggest changes, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. However, Game Freak should not stop there, as it should improve other aspects of the game - including trainer customization.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Can Elevate One of PLA's Best Concepts to New Heights
Pokemon Legends: Z-A is set to inherit the core mechanics of its predecessor, but one feature could be primed to go bigger than ever before.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Has the Perfect Reason For Excellent Hair Customization
Pokemon Legends: Arceus Had Respectable Hairstyling Options
Fans are likely familiar with Arezu from Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Arezu moves to Jubilife Village quite early in the story, and starts acting as the village's new hairdresser shortly afterwards. She offers players a variety of haircuts, and her selection can expand further by completing additional missions. Since character customization first came to the games with Pokemon X and Y, it's been worth watching in every game since. Pokemon Legends: Arceus was no exception, with a decent selection of outfits and hairstyles for players. When it comes to customization, Pokemon Legends: Z-A should aim to go above and beyond what its predecessor offered.
Lumiose City is Heavily Associated With Style and Fashion
One only has to remember the fact that Pokemon Legends: Z-A takes place in Lumiose City to justify a much greater focus on customization. Lumiose City is not only the biggest city in Kalos, fashion and style are ingrained in its very identity. In Pokemon X and Y, Lumiose City has its own unique mechanic called Style, which the player can raise through various means. If Lumiose City in Pokemon Legends: Z-A is anything like the original version, then players should have plenty of ways to show off their style, and that should especially be true where hairstyles are concerned.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Can Expand its Hairdressing Features in Many New Ways
Pokemon Legends: Z-A should feature a lot of hairstyle options. The first salon where Furfrou's style could be changed in Pokemon was in Lumiose City, after all. It's not unfair to imagine that level of creativity extending to humans as well, especially in this futuristic version of Lumiose. Hairstyle customization can go beyond new styles too. A new selection of hair colors, as well as the option to add highlights and two-toned hair would add several extra layers to customization. Letting players look as rugged, punk, or dignified as they like through their hairstyles feels like it should be a priority for Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
If Lumiose City in Pokemon Legends: Z-A is anything like the original version, then players should have plenty of ways to show off their style.
Lumiose City's history of fashion shouldn't be forgotten, and making sure that extensive hair options are a feature in Pokemon Legends: Z-A would embody that perfectly. Pokemon Legends: Arceus provided a good selection of hairstyles for the player, especially after doing a good few extra missions. With Pokemon Legends: Z-A's setting, it has every reason to make its customization significantly better than Legends: Arceus, especially where hairstyles are concerned. Pokemon Legends: Z-A could easily end up with some of the best hairstyling options in the series thanks to its setting, so hopefully Game Freak will fully embrace the strengths of Lumiose City within its character creator.
-
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!
