Just like the fantastical creatures that give it its name, Pokemon is a franchise that is constantly evolving. Every single entry in this long-running series has introduced more than one innovative mechanic that was carried over to the next game. Contrary to popular belief, Pokemon Legends: Arceus and its recently-released follow-up, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, are officially categorized as mainline Pokemon games and, as such, they will most likely have an impact on future installments as well.
Against all odds, Pokemon Legends: Z-A has been received surprisingly well by fans and critics, mainly due to the vast array of significant gameplay changes that make the experience feel refreshing, addictive, and innovative. There is very good chance that some of its additions will be carried over to the next mainline Pokemon game, meaning that Pokemon Legends: Z-A may eventually shape the future of the franchise in exciting ways.
The Real-Time Combat System
Going Back To Turn-Based Battles Would Be Very Strange
The best and biggest change that Pokemon Legends: Z-A made to the classic Pokemon formula is undoubtedly its new real-time combat system. The battles in this game are not static and turn-based anymore; players can move around the battlefield alongside their Pokemon to avoid enemy attacks and/or line up their own offensive moves.
This was a necessary change that many fans have been requesting for years, and it has helped make the gameplay of Pokemon Legends: Z-A much more interesting, dynamic, and strategic than in any prior installment. Even though most fans still appreciate classic turn-based Pokemon battles, it’d be extremely disappointing (and a little weird) if the next mainline game ditches this real-time combat system and goes back to the old turn-based formula.
The Return Of Mega Evolution
Any Old Battle Mechanic Can Return Now
Pokemon Legends: Z-A finally brought back Mega Evolution after an excruciating seven-year-long absence from the mainline games. To make things even better, Legends: Z-A also introduces a collection of brand-new Mega Evolutions for popular Pokemon, like Mega Dragonite, Mega Hawlucha, and many more.
Gimmicky battle mechanics in Pokemon—like Z-Moves or Dynamax/Gigantamax—are usually relegated their introductory generations, and they barely reappear in subsequent titles (Mega Evolution is technically available in Generation Seven, but it didn't play an important role in those games and no additional forms were added). However, Legends: Z-A sets an important precedent: if future Pokemon games go back to other regions, like Alola or Galar, they'll likely introduce new Z-Moves and Gigantamax forms respectively, which is great news for passionate fans of these forgotten battle mechanics.
More Mature Stories And Writing
Game Freak Has Finally Allowed Pokemon To Grow Up
Pokemon is, first and foremost, a video game franchise for children that has little-to-no mature content and very childish writing (with a few notorious exceptions). However, Pokemon Legends: Z-A players will be surprised and delighted to find out that its storytelling and dialogue are surprisingly mature (way better than anything that had come before) and the experience is much more appealing to adult players.
The characters in this game talk like real people, and everything they say is brimming with personality and charm. Additionally, the story is told in a natural way that keeps the player engaged, while also tackling mature topics like life, death, war, gentrification, loan sharks, and more. This new style of writing is a much-needed breath of fresh air for the series, and it will hopefully be carried over into future Pokemon games.
It’s The Spiritual Successor To Pokemon Legends: Arceus
The Legends Formula Wasn’t One-And-Done; It’s A Fully-Fledged Subseries Now
Pokemon Legends: Arceus was an extremely innovative Pokemon game that was well received by fans and critics alike because it broke the franchise’s formula in many fun ways. However, when the next mainline entries, Scarlet and Violet, went back to the classic style of gameplay, fans were understandably worried that this brand-new “Legends formula” would be a one-and-done, and that it would never be used again. For comparison, Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee were released in 2018, and no other similar "Let's Go" games have been announced ever since, so that concern was not without precedent.
The announcement and subsequent release of Pokemon Legends: Z-A was a major source of relief for those fans, because it cemented Legends as a fully-fledged subseries that will most likely see more new entries in the near future. After all, these two games feel very different from traditional Pokemon games, as they have a bigger focus on single-player campaigns, unique combat systems, and intense boss fights taking place in real-time, not to mention they are not released in two versions like almost every other title in this series.
A Sequel That Isn’t A Sequel
Players Can Now Look Forward To Reuniting With Beloved Characters From Older Games
Surprisingly enough, direct sequels to mainline Pokemon games are extremely rare. The only entries in the series that actually have the number two in their titles are Black 2 and White 2, which take place two years after the events of Black and White. However, Pokemon Legends: Z-A did something unexpected: instead of being set in the distant past (like Legends: Arceus), it went in the opposite direction and takes place five years after the events of X and Y instead.
Returning to Kalos after so much time away is incredibly nostalgic, not to mention that it feels earned, since this region was only featured in one pair of games in over twelve years. Iconic and beloved characters from Pokemon X and Y (like Emma or AZ) make appearances in Legends: Z-A, and they have changed physically. Even more interesting, the main plot of Legends: Z-A is shaped by the actions of the previous game's main character. This is all very exciting, because it means that now any mainline Pokemon game could receive a direct sequel, even if it’s not explicitly titled or marketed as one.
Game Freak Can Skip Generations
Generation Five Didn’t Recieve A New Game
An unofficial rule has existed in the Pokemon franchise ever since the Third Generation: every time Game Freak releases a brand-new game, it immediately follows it with a remake of an older title. Furthermore, the developer stuck to an obvious release order, with FireRed and LeafGreen being remakes of the Generation One games, HeartGold and SoulSilver being remakes of the Generation Two games, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire being remakes of the Generation Three games, and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl being remakes of the Generation Four games.
Just when fans assumed it was Generation Five's turn to get some remake love, and that Game Freak would announce remakes of Black and White, the company pivoted in another direction and announced Pokemon Legends: Z-A instead, a spiritual successor/sequel to the Generation Six games, X and Y. This essentially means that Game Freak has broken this unofficial rule and that there’s no concrete pattern fans can use to predict what game they’ll announce next. Who knows? Maybe the next Legends game will take place in Galar or Paldea instead of Alola.
It’s The First Pokemon Game On Nintendo Switch 2
Generation Ten Will Definitely Be 100% Exclusive To Nintendo’s Newest Console
In recent years, The Pokemon Company and Game Freak have been releasing two Pokemon Generations per Nintendo console. The original Nintendo Switch is no exception, as this console saw the debut of generations Eight (with Sword and Shield) and Nine (with Scarlet and Violet). However, they did something particularly interesting with Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s launch, even though it technically belongs to the Ninth Generation.
While Legends: Z-A was originally revealed as a Switch 1 game—and it can be played on that console as well—an exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 edition was released, and it boasts better graphics and a smoother frame rate than its Switch 1 counterpart. This is the first time in the history of the Pokemon franchise where a mainline Pokemon game is available on two different Nintendo consoles at the same time (without the need for backwards compatibility). The existence of the Nintendo Switch 2 version further implies that the next game in the series (which most fans assume will be the start of Generation Ten) will be 100% exclusive to Nintendo’s newest hybrid console.
Downloadable Content Will Continue Playing An Important Role
DLC Is Here To Stay (Whether Fans Like It Or Not)
Younger Pokemon fans may not know this, but a third version of all Pokemon games used to be a thing not that long ago. Titles like Pokemon Crystal, Pokemon Emerald, and Pokemon Platinum were huge improvements on their predecessors and added new gameplay elements that made exploring their respective regions much more exciting. Truth be told, having to buy a separate video game that was basically identical to the previous ones just to experience a little more content was an egregious practice that didn’t sit very well with most consumers.
Pokemon Sword and Shield finally got rid of the third version and replaced it with DLC expansions, and Scarlet and Violet did the same a generation later. However, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is a special case: it’s the first game in the series where DLC was announced before it even came out, since the Mega Dimension DLC was revealed during a Nintendo Direct a whole month before the game’s launch. Despite some valid criticisms from fans, this is undeniable proof that Game Freak is now taking its DLC endeavors more seriously, and that all future Pokemon titles will most likely have downloadable expansions of their own.
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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
