Pokémon Legends Z-A: Everything We Know

The next game in the core Pokémon series, Pokémon Legends Z-A, has many fans curious and excited. It promises a few game-changing features, most notably a real-time combat system and a revamped setting. It also boasts sharper graphics and better visuals compared to the current Pokémon games, and this is just a taste of what’s to come.

While it will be a few months before the game comes out, there is lots of content out there. Here is a detailed preview of everything we know about Pokémon Legends Z-A.

What is Pokémon Legends Z-A?

Pokémon Legends Z-A is a Japanese role-playing game (JRPG). It is the next instalment in the long-running core Pokémon series, which currently comprises 28 games. More specifically, it is the second Pokémon Legends game after Pokémon Legends Arceus. While this new game maintains the core series’ gameplay design, it also introduces a few notable changes and new features. Nintendo announced the game early last year during a Pokémon Presents event, albeit it will launch in late 2025. The publisher then followed up with a more detailed video of the game’s plot and gameplay features on February 27, 2025.

Story

The story in Pokémon Legends Z-A is centred around Lumiose City. The city is in the process of implementing an urban redevelopment plan. This means that it is getting bigger and better. What’s more, the new urban plan is designed to let humans and Pokémon co-exist in the city. Playing as visitors, players embark on an adventure to explore the city, make friends, and catch Pokémon.

However, there is a deeper underlying element of the game’s story. Zygarde, a Legendary Pokémon, appears to have taken an interest in the player’s character. Its brain is made of Zygarde Cores, while its body is made of far more powerful Zygarde cells. Moreover, Zygarde can change its form, appearance, and other aspects as more cell-like components join the mass.

At 10% Forme, the Zygarde looks like a dog with sharp fangs and incredible speeds. It then turns into a serpent-like creature at 50% Forme and goes about monitoring the Pokémon ecosystems and fighting anyone that threatens them. Finally, the Zygarde turns into a humanoid creature with wings and a tail at 100% Forme. It can shoot a powerful energy beam that can eliminate any creature, and its wings and tail can change form during combat.

The Zygarde truly is a powerful, impressive legendary Pokémon. So, why is it interested in the player, and what is the connection between them? Players will have to wait to unravel the mystery.

Gameplay

The gameplay design in Pokémon Legends Z-A incorporates adventure, action, character interaction, and storytelling in a neat, beautiful package. The setting, Lumiose City, is getting a face-lift. It looks bigger and better, and the new design seamlessly integrates green spaces into the urban jungle. Moreover, the game packs sharper graphics, making the visuals better. However, the game is set entirely within the city, meaning that players cannot explore other parts of the Kalos Region.

As a visitor to Lumiose City, the player checks into Hotel Z, which serves as their base of operations. The player meets three Pokémon when they arrive: Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile. They can choose one of these Pokémon to be their partner as they explore the city. The Pokémon have unique personalities, abilities, and fighting styles.

Besides the starting Pokémon, players can also catch wild Pokémon as they explore. The Pokémon roam all over, including on the streets and especially in the Wild Zones. Some of the Pokémon are easy to catch, while others can put up a fight. For the latter, players can use their Pokémon to fight and weaken them before catching them. It is also worth noting that some Pokémon are weary of strangers, necessitating a stealthy approach.

Every Pokémon that players capture comes in handy in battle. Notably, the combat system Pokémon Legends Z-A makes a major shift from previous Pokémon games. Instead of turn-based combat, the fights are now based on a real-time combat system. This means that Pokémon can move around during fights. Moreover, they unleash their abilities only when the trainers command them.

In addition to being based on a real-time combat system, the fights are also strategic. Every Pokémon has unique abilities and fighting styles, and players can swap Pokémon in between fights. Moreover, different moves take varying periods to execute, and the range of their impacts also varies. As such, players must make calculated decisions when choosing which Pokémon and fighting styles to use.

Interaction with NPCs is a big aspect of the gameplay. Players get one close friend, and they can proceed to make many other friends across town. Notably, every character in the game has a unique personality and story to tell.

Development

Game Freak, the primary developer behind most other Pokémon games, is also the developer of Pokémon Legends Z-A. And, as usual, the publishers are Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. The game is still in development and will be complete towards the end of 2025.

Trailer

The official trailer for Pokémon Legends Z-A showcases many scenes of its gameplay features. The opening scenes showcase Lumiose City in all its new glory. The extra greenery is unmissable, and a few scenes showcase the new Wild Zones and the Pokémon living there. One scene even showcases the player’s character hunting wild Pokémon. The best part showcases the epic battles between Pokemon, including the Mega Evolution feature and real-time combat system. The closing scenes showcase the game’s characters.

Besides the official trailer, the publisher also released another video titled “An Extended Look at Pokémon Legends Z-A!” Unlike the trailer, this video has a narrator explaining the game’s biggest features. Players can learn more about the city, characters, Pokémon, and combat system.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Players will wait a bit longer to play this game, as it will launch in late 2025. In the meantime, players can pre-order the game at the Pokémon Center official site. Pokémon Legends Z-A will only support Nintendo Switch. It is also highly likely that the game will also support Nintendo Switch 2, which will also launch later this year.