Some Pokemon Legends: Z-A players are releasing a certain Spewpa without realizing it evolves into the only blue Vivillon available in the game. The second Legends game introduces several new Pokemon forms, but one of the designs stirring up the most contention right now is an old one. While Pokemon Legends: Z-A is not Marine Vivillon's first appearance, several users have learned the hard way that the form only appears once in the game.
After a leak-filled lead-up to launch, the newest Pokemon title is off to a strong start. In just one week, Pokemon Legends: Z-A sold 5.8 million copies worldwide, which is far from the most the series has ever achieved but surpasses the likes of Pokemon X/Y and Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee. As fans have dug into it, though, some have come away with an unfortunate surprise.
Some Pokemon Legends: Z-A Players Are Beating the Whole Game Without Even Knowing How the Combat Works
Many Pokemon Legends: Z-A players don't understand how one of the new Pokemon move features works, leading to some funny situations.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Players Are Accidentally Releasing the Game's Only Blue Vivillon
Players have shared that the Spewpa received for completing Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Spewpa in the Museum quest evolves into the game's only Marine pattern Vivillon, causing others to lament that they had released it. As users point out, the game never indicates that the Spewpa in question is unique. It also does not appear any different from other Spewpa until it evolves, leading many to trade or release it, thinking it was just a common, low-powered Pokemon they didn't need after already catching another for their Pokedex.
Marine Vivillon is not particularly rare across the series as a whole, but it is in the latest game. While Pokemon GO has 18 different Vivillon forms, all Vivillon in Legends Z-A are the pink Meadow form, with the lone exception being the reward for completing the Spewpa at the Museum quest. Consequently, once players get rid of it, there's no way to get it back in-game. Collectors can still get it from Pokemon GO, but because Legends Z-A doesn't have Pokemon Home compatibility yet, it may be a while before they can transfer Marine Spewpa into the new title.
Vivillon drama aside, some fans are not happy with Game Freak's latest entry in the long-running franchise. Despite its strong sales performance, Pokemon Legends: Z-A got review-bombed shortly after release as some players accused it of being "lazy" and relying too heavily on tropes and formulas that some say are getting a little long in the tooth. At the same time, others have praised it for breaking from Pokemon's turn-based combat and are now looking forward to further breaks from tradition in the next generation.
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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!
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players (online)
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
