Pokemon Legends: Z-A releases late 2025 for Nintendo Switch
February 27th is Pokemon Day, and The Pokemon Company finally gave us a trailer for the much anticipated Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the next game in the new Pokemon Legends series. This title was originally announced at exactly this time last year on 2024's Pokemon Day, however there had been no news regarding the game since. For the first time, gameplay was revealed for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, as well as a first look at the world itself.
As originally announced, Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be set entirely within Lumiose City, the largest city in the region of Kalos which was the setting for the Nintendo 3DS' Pokemon X and Y. The game will feature a new battle style, the return of X and Y's Mega Evolution mechanic, and open exploration. Pokemon can be caught in sectioned off "Wild Zones", which is how the city is integrating wild Pokemon into the city itself. The game appears to be set sometime after the events of X and Y.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A will release "late 2025" according to Western trailers, while the Japanese trailer for the game indicated a "fall 2025" release. There was no mention of a potential Switch 2 version, as the trailer lists only the original Nintendo Switch. The trailer, the Pokemon Presents as a whole, and new images are linked below:
Scheduled for release in late 2025, and first revealed on Pokémon Day 2024, the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game is set in Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon. After arriving in Lumiose City, players will befriend a Pokémon that will become their first partner Pokémon: Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile.
Explore Wild Zones and Make Pokémon Your Allies
Players can catch wild Pokémon living in wild zones or out and about in Lumiose City by aiming a Poké Ball at them and letting it fly. Some Pokémon will flee immediately if they spot the player, meaning players should hide out of sight or approach from behind to make themselves harder to notice. Players can also battle Pokémon to lower their HP, making them easier to catch.
A Pokémon Series First: Trainers and Pokémon Taking Real-Time Actions During Battle
In previous Pokémon video game series titles, Pokémon’s actions were turn-based. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Trainers and their Pokémon will move around in real time during battles, and Pokémon will unleash their moves when their Trainers command them to. New gameplay mechanics include precise timing for swapping out Pokémon or using moves, the different lengths of time moves will take to launch, and the total area the moves will impact.
People and Pokémon You Can Encounter in Lumiose City
While visiting Lumiose City, players will stay in an old hotel named Hotel Z and encounter the hotel’s owner, AZ—plus his partner Pokémon, Eternal Flower Floette, an unusual Floette that holds a black flower. This hotel will serve as players’ base of operations as they experience all sorts of adventures in Lumiose City alongside new and exciting characters, such as Urbain or Taunie—a new friend players will make throughout their adventures. The appearance players choose at the beginning of the game will determine which of the two they’ll meet.
Mega Evolution
In Lumiose City, Trainers will sometimes be able to see Pokémon undergo Mega Evolution—a kind of Evolution that transcends standard Evolution. Effectively using Mega Evolution will likely be key to victory in Pokémon battles.
