Pokemon Legends: Z-A features unique nurses for each Pokemon Center. This is a huge change for the franchise, as previous games featured identical nurses, down to their skin and eye colors. Pokemon Legends: Z-A, surprisingly, gives them unique features and names.
Originally announced in 2024, Pokemon Legends: Z-A was recently released for the original Switch and the Switch 2. The spin-off title is set in Lumiose City, a French-inspired metropolis set in the Kalos region. Unlike mainline Pokemon games, Pokemon Legends: Z-A features real-time battles, taking into account the positioning of the player, the timing of the moves used, and more. The combat system of Pokemon Legends: Z-A is not the only fresh addition to the experience, though, as Nurse Joy also received a major overhaul.
Former Nintendo Employees Claim Pokemon Legends: Z-A Only Needs to Sell 200,000 Units to Break Even
Former Nintendo employees comment on Pokemon Legends: Z-A's budget, claiming that the title only needs to sell 200,000 units to break even.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Has Finally Introduced Unique Nurses to Pokemon Centers
As spotted by multiple Pokemon Legends: Z-A players online, the nurses in Lumiose City’s Pokemon Centers are visually distinct characters. While all nurses still use the same outfit style and have pretty much identical hair with red pigtails, each has different features, such as different skin tones, distinct eyes, mouths, and eyebrows, giving them more personality. Each nurse even has a name, and a side quest allows gamers to battle one of them, named Bien. Overall, the change is consistent with Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s take on individual characters, which are much more varied than in many of the previous entries.
This change has surprised players, as most Pokemon Center workers simply remained unnamed during the last few decades. One of the few occasions where the Pokemon Center clerks had names was in titles such as Pokemon Yellow and Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee. These titles were greatly influenced by the TV show and had Nurse Joy as an actual character, instead of serving as a generic name fans give to these nurses.
Hopefully, all the changes made by Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be well-received by the fanbase. With an average critic score of 81 on OpenCritic, Pokemon Legends: Z-A has been generally liked by critics, with many enjoying the real-time combat system and dynamic gameplay. Some players, however, have criticized the narrative and the game’s visuals, believing that Pokemon Legends: Z-A fails to be innovative enough. It remains to be seen how the game will be supported by Nintendo and whether it will be just as successful as previous entries in the popular franchise.
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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!
