While the latest trailer for Pokemon Legends: Z-A has finally confirmed its trio of intergenerational starter Pokemon, it seems that one particular Gen 2 starter Pokemon has come up short in the upcoming game. Ever since it was first revealed in 2024, rumors and leaks around Legends: Z-A have been rampant, with speculation encompassing everything from its Lumiose City setting to potential regional variants and the return of Mega Evolutions. Among these were questions over which Pokemon would be picked for Legends: Z-A's starter trio, especially when its predecessor, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, featured starter Pokemon from multiple generations.
Appearing prominently throughout Pokemon Legends: Z-A's new trailer, it seems that the game's starter trio consists of Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile. However, Game Freak's decision to pick Chikorita and Totodile as two out of Gen 2's three starter Pokemon has inadvertently left the impression that its third, Cyndaquil, has been dropped in favor of Gen 5's Tepig. While there is an obvious and straightforward answer as to why this choice was made, it still puts Cyndaquil in the unlucky position of being intentionally left out of its usual pack in Legends: Z-A.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Making Change to Mega Evolutions
Pokemon Legends Z-A includes Mega Evolutions, but they may work different from how they do in mainline Pokemon games, a new report claims.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Starter Trio Leaves Cyndaquil Behind
Despite extensive leaks and rumors suggesting that Pokemon Legends: Z-A's starter trio could feature the likes of Pokemon X and Y's original trio or Pokemon from Gens 3, 5, and 8, the game's recent trailer has proven otherwise. However, the surprise picks for Legends: Z-A's starter Pokemon with Gen 2's Chikorita and Totodile alongside Gen 5's Tepig seem unusual, as Legends: Arceus set the precedent for choosing starter Pokemon from each generation individually. Two of Legends: Z-A's starter Pokemon originating from the same generation, which raises questions about why Cyndaquil was left out of the new trio and how this could influence the game.
The Likely Reason Why Pokemon Legends: Z-A Overlooks Cyndaquil
Though it might be an underwhelming reason, it could simply be that Cyndaquil's previous inclusion in Legends: Arceus' starter trio meant it was out of the running for the next Pokemon Legends game. Between Legends: Arceus' 2022 release date and Legends: Z-A's projected launch in late 2025, it could be that Game Freak believed it was too soon for Cyndaquil to feature in a new game. However, while this does potentially explain why Cyndaquil wasn't included in Legends: Z-A's starter trio, it doesn't account for why Game Freak favored two starter Pokemon from the same generation.
Cyndaquil Could Reveal More About Pokemon Legends: Z-A Thanks to Pokemon Legends: Arceus
But there could be more to Cyndaquil's absence in Legends: Z-A that could both explain why it is missing and why Gen 2's Chikorita and Totodile make up two-thirds of the game's starter Pokemon. In addition to its recent inclusion as one of Legends: Arceus' starter Pokemon, the game's trio of Cyndaquil, Oshawott, and Rowlett featured brand-new Hisuian variants for their third and final evolutions. Game Freak may have chosen Chikorita, Totodile, and Tepig for Legends: Z-A because it plans to give its trio the same treatment with three all-new regional evolutions. Therefore, it would exclude an "unlucky" Cyndaquil to avoid giving it yet another variant.
While this is speculative, as neither the recent trailer nor Game Freak have confirmed regional starter variants for Legends: Z-A, it could help explain why Chikorita and Totodile were chosen for the game's new starter trio. Despite both coming from the same second generation of Pokemon games, Game Freak may have selected Chikorita and Totodile with their final evolutionary stages in mind. As a result, similar to how it has already embraced Legends: Arceus' intergenerational trio of starter Pokemon, players could expect Legends: Z-A to also introduce regional variants of Meganium, Feraligatr, and Emboar.
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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!
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
