Pokemon Legends: Z-A is one of the most anticipated
How deeply will it connect to fellow Kalos games, X&Y? What is the mysterious Quasartico company, and is its intention for Lumiose City good or evil? Only time and patience will help to answer these questions – but in the meantime, we can dive into what’s been revealed so far.
Here’s what we know about Pokemon Legends: Z-A so far.
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Pokemon Legends: Z-A – Platforms and Release Date
Pokemon Legends Z-A is currently targeting launch in late 2025.
When it arrives, it will likely be for
So far, The Pokemon Company has only confirmed the game’s
Read: Nintendo Switch 2: Predicting all the major launch titles
Pokemon Legends: Z-A – Will the story connect to X&Y?
The Pokemon Legends: Z-A trailers have confirmed this game is set within Lumiose City, which was first introduced in Pokemon X and Pokemon Y for
Lumiose will be the primary location of gameplay, with players able to explore its many layers – wandering down backstreets, through parks, and even heading up to rooftops, and through a variety of buildings.
As confirmed, Lumiose City is going through a gentrification of sorts in Z-A, with development led by the mysterious Quasartico Inc. Players will meet the CEO of this company and their assistant during their travels, and will seemingly take on some research and development tasks for them (although it remains to be seen whether this company is kind-hearted, or has dark intentions).
Read: The Pokemon Center has landed in Australia and New Zealand
Beyond these clues,
Mysterious giant AZ returns from Pokemon X & Y
As revealed in the Pokemon Presents trailer for Z-A, this game will feature the return of AZ – a mysterious, very tall man who is partnered with a blue Floette. He’s the former king of the Kalos region, and is immortal.
In Z-A, he runs “Hotel Z” and will be friendly with the player character. Given his immortality, he could be a linked between Z-A and Arceus. At the very least, his tale will be important to the overarching story of the game.
Is Pokemon Legends: Z-A linked to Pokemon Legends: Arceus?
Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Pokemon Legends: Arceus don’t have a clear lore connection just yet, but they do share very similar gameplay styles. As detailed in the Pokemon Presents of February 2025, Z-A will feature the same Pokemon catching, and similar combat to its predecessor, with these guided by direct player input.
To catch a Pokemon in the game, players will throw a Poké Ball directly at their target, and they’ll be able to use their Pokemon to whittle down health, should this target prove too strong.
Pokemon battles are also a bit like those of Arceus, with trainers appearing alongside their Pokemon pals, and being able to guide them physically in battle. You’ll need to position your Pokemon correctly to perform an impactful attack, and you must also guide your Pokemon away from opposing attacks.
As for what else this game will take from Arceus, we do hope it has a mission-based research structure, and early trailers have seemingly hinted this will be the case. We’ll have to stay tuned for more.
Why is Pokemon Legends: Z-A called that?
The title of Pokemon Legends: Z-A is currently very mysterious – but there are clues to its origins hiding in its official logo design. Looking at the “Z-A” it appears clear the logo is inspired by the colour palette and pattern of Zygarde, the Dragon/Ground Legendary Pokemon first introduced in Pokemon X&Y. The scales, colours, and leafy details match perfectly, and it makes sense this would be the case.
The prior Pokemon Legends title was named after Arceus, another Legendary Pokemon, so we can assume the subtitle is meant to refer to Legendary Pokemon. If the “Z” of the title also stands for Zygarde, we could assume the “A” stands for Arceus, drawing a parallel between the two games, and perhaps interrelating them. For now, that’s pure speculation, so stay tuned for more official teases.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A – Every confirmed Pokemon so far
So far, a range of Pokemon have been confirmed to appear in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, including many previously featured in Pokemon X and Pokemon Y. As spotted in early trailers, we know the following Pokemon will appear:
Zygarde (10% Forme), Eevee (and its Eeveelutions), Pikachu, Litleo, Pyroar, Flabébé, Floette, Florges Litleo, Klefki, Furfrou, Fletchling, Fletchinder, Talonflame, Dragonair, Dragonite, Gyarados, Emolga, Arbok, Absol, Hippopotas, Hippowdon, Skrelp, Magikarp, Staryu, Hawlucha, Sylveon, Pinsir, Heracross, Talonflame, Onix, Steelix, Bellsprout, Aegislash, Sandile, Krookodile, Pancham, Pangoro, Ariados, Tepig, Pignite, Emboar, Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium, Totodile, Croconaw, and Feraligatr.
Mareep, Skiddo, Gogoat, Sliggoo, Clauncher, Bunnelby, Diggersby, Riolu, Lucario, Kangaskhan, Sableye, Swablu, Altaria, Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard, Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir, Flaaffy, Ampharos, Bagon, Shelgon, Salamence, Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar, Honedge, Doublade, Aegislash, Trubbish, Garbodor, Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebell, Litwick, Lampent, Chandelure, Scatterbug, Spewpa, Vivillon, Spritzee, Aromatisse, Pidgey, Pidgeot, Pidgeotto, Swirlix, Slurpuff, Dedenne, Inkay, Malamar, Patrat, and Watchog.
You’ll be able to catch Pokemon in Wild Zones
Many of the above Pokemon will be catchable in dedicated “Wild Zones” within Lumiose City. These gated areas will be populated by a range of creatures, all of which can be caught using the aim-and-fire method first seen in Arceus. It appears players will unlock more of these Wild Zones as they continue the story of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, creating new opportunities for research and Pokemon collection.
What are the Pokemon starters in Legends: Z-A?
The starters for Pokemon Legends: Z-A are Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile.
Mega Evolutions will return in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
As a nice surprise, Z-A will feature the return of Pokemon Mega Evolutions. So far, Pokemon confirmed to get their Mega Evolutions in the game are: Lucario, Kangaskhan, Absol, Sableye, Gyarados, Charizard, Altaria, Gardevoir, Ampharos
For now, we don’t know what role Mega Evolutions will play in the story, but we can assume they’ll be very plot-relevant.
When will we learn more about Pokemon Legends: Z-A?
We’re likely to learn more about Pokemon Legends: Z-A on 2 April 2025, when
Stay tuned to GamesHub for the latest news and updates.
