Summary
- Starters in Pokemon Legends: Z-A are rumored to be from 3rd, 5th, and 8th gen, but their types are unspecified.
- Fans speculate Hoenn, Unova, and Galar starters could be potential partners based on leaker Riddler Khu's latest tease.
According to a credible leaker, the starting partners of Pokemon Legends: Z-A could come from the third, fifth, and eighth generations, but did not specify what their types would be. Following the latest Pokemon Legends: Z-A tease from the leaker, fans debated which combination of past starters could be the correct combination.
Since its initial reveal during the February 2024 episode of Pokemon Presents, official details about Pokemon Legends: Z-A are scarce. The only information that The Pokemon Company confirmed in the trailer was that the game will launch sometime in 2025, but a precise date remains elusive at the time of writing. Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be set in the Kalos region during the urban redevelopment era of Lumiose City, which first appeared in 2013's Pokemon X and Y. Alongside a revisit to the France-inspired Kalos region, the fan-favorite Mega Evolution battle mechanic was confirmed to be one of the main selling points of Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
Some Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Players Are Getting a Free Pokemon
Some Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players will be able to acquire a free event Pokemon featuring an exclusive move, but only in certain regions.
While fans wait for more potential news about Pokemon Legends: Z-A, a reliable leaker posted another of their trademark teases. Riddler Khu made a Twitter post that cryptically contained the numbers three, five, and eight. The sequence of these numbers led some Pokemon fans to surmise that these could be the mainline generations from which the game's Starter Pokemon could be taken. Ergo, the starter Pokemon of the Hoenn, Unova, and Galar regions would be potential candidates for Pokemon Legends: Z-A partners if Riddler Khu's latest post is anything to go off of. By comparison, the starter Pokemon of Pokemon Legends: Arceus were Cyndaquil, Oshawott, and Rowlet. These respective Pokemon were taken from the second, fifth, and seventh generations, and each was given a Hisuian regional variant of their final evolution form.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Starters Potentially Teased
Fans speculate about leaker's cryptic message
As for which Pokemon could be picked as starters in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, fans shared their theories about which starter combinations could fit Riddler Khu's latest post. Since the starter Pokemon of each region's Pokedex are listed in the order of Grass, Fire, and Water, some fans guessed that Treecko, Tepig, and Sobble would be chosen. Other fans clarified that all three Hoenn starters received Mega Evolution forms in Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. However, fans still left the door open for either regional variants of the starters or new Mega Evolution forms to appear.
Though all rumors must be taken with a fine pinch of salt, the hype surrounding Pokemon Legends: Z-A and the upcoming Switch successor console is at a fever pitch. Only time will tell when Nintendo will pull back the curtain on its 2025 calendar.
-
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
