Pokémon Day | Everything Revealed About Pokémon Legends: Z-A (2025) -

From A to Z and back again!

Pokémon Day has arrived and with Game Freak and The Pokémon Company celebrating all things Pokémon, we have finally learned more about the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A. From selected starters, characters who appear and a vague release window, here is everything there is to know (right now) for Pokémon Legends: Z-A:

Three Familiar Faces (Z-A Starters)

Taking a leaf out of Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ book, Z-A brings back three familiar starter Pokémon, to which the player can choose between to pick out their preferred first Partner Pokémon. Of those chosen, we have Chikorita and Totodile from Gen 2 and for our (Prodigy) fire starter, we have Gen 5’s very own Tepig. While it seems a tad odd to have two starters from the same generation make an appearance, Arceus previously featured Cyndiquil, thus making giving all Gen 2 starters, starter status in the Legends games. Additionally, Arceus also featured Oshawott, another Gen 5 starter, which now leaves Snivy as the only Gen 5 Pokémon missing in action.

We Built this City (Story & Setting)

Official PR: The story 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. Compared to Lumiose City as it appeared in the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games, released in 2013, more greenery now adorns the city, alongside facilities with a cutting-edge feel.

In Lumiose City, spaces frequented by people—such as shopping arcades, cafés, and restaurants—coexist with more natural areas, such as waterfronts and verdant parks. At the centre of Lumiose stands Prism Tower, the very symbol of the city.

The Story Begins with a Sightseeing Trip to Lumiose City… | While visiting Lumiose City during your travels, you’ll come to stay in an old hotel named Hotel Z. This hotel will serve as your base as you and the new friends you’ll meet in Lumiose tackle all sorts of incidents that will occur in the city.

Wild Wild Lumiose (Catching Pokémon and Where to Find Them)

Official PR: As part of Lumiose’s urban redevelopment plan, driven by a large corporation called Quasartico Inc., the city has been outfitted with “wild zones” in an effort to help humans and Pokémon share the city. These areas are constructed using cutting-edge technology to give Pokémon places to live. Within wild zones, you can battle Pokémon and catch them by throwing Poké Balls. Make Pokémon Your Allies | You 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. If the Pokémon doesn’t pop back out of the ball, you’ve successfully caught it! Some Pokémon will flee immediately if they spot you, so hide out of sight or approach from behind to make yourself harder to notice. You can also battle Pokémon to lower their HP, making them easier to catch.

Real-time Reality (Battling Pokémon)

Official PR: A Pokémon Series First: Pokémon and Trainers Take Action in Real Time During Battle | In previous titles in the Pokémon video game series, Pokémon took action once per turn. 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.

In addition to type matchups, there will be new gameplay mechanics to consider, such as the precise timing for swapping out your Pokémon or using moves, the different lengths of time moves will take to launch, and how big an area the moves will impact. This unprecedented style of Pokémon battling is one of the most thrilling parts of this title.

A City Full of Characters (NPCs and Me)

Official PR: Your Character | After arriving in Lumiose for some sightseeing, you’ll make new friends and tackle all sorts of incidents in the city. Urbain / Taunie | You’ll make a friend who lives and works at Hotel Z, supporting the owner however they can. They may come on strong at times, but they like helping people and Pokémon. They’re quite skilled at Pokémon battles too. The appearance you choose at the beginning of the game will determine whether Urbain or Taunie will appear. AZ | AZ is a man who stands at three metres tall. He’s the owner of Hotel Z and claims to be three thousand years old. He quietly harbors a strong determination and will. Eternal Flower Floette | This unusual Floette looks different from other members of her species and holds a black flower. She’s also said to have lived for three thousand years. She always accompanies AZ. Jett | Jett is the CEO of Quasartico Inc., a large corporation driving Lumiose’s urban redevelopment plan with the aim of shaping the city into one that belongs to both people and Pokémon. It seems she hopes to deepen the bonds between Pokémon and people. Vinnie | Vinnie is a large man who wears sunglasses. He works at Quasartico as Jett’s secretary. He always seems busy and has a reputation for being a fast worker.

Mega Confirmations (Mega Evolution Returns)

Official PR:

In Lumiose City, you’ll sometimes see Pokémon undergo Mega Evolution—a kind of Evolution that transcends standard Evolution. Effectively using Mega Evolution will likely be your key to victory in Pokémon battles.

Mega Evolution Can Turn the Tide of Battle—But What Is It? | Mega Evolution goes beyond the limits of regular Evolution. Only certain Pokémon can Mega Evolve. Doing so imparts power greater than regular Evolution by temporarily unleashing the energy hidden within the Pokémon. Pokémon change their appearance when they Mega Evolve, and certain Pokémon may even change types.

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. Eventually, you’ll wear a Mega Ring with a Key Stone embedded in it. Other Trainers may wear their Key Stones in different ways.

Putting the Z in Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Zygarde!)

Zygarde (50% Forme)

Category: Order Pokémon | Type: Dragon / Ground Height: 16’5″ | Weight: 672.4 lbs.

This is Zygarde’s form when about half its cells have gathered. It serves as the protector of the ecosystems that Pokémon live in, monitoring them to detect any abnormalities. It can change into an even more powerful form when battling those who threaten these ecosystems.

Zygarde (10% Forme)

Category: Order Pokémon | Type: Dragon / Ground Height: 3’11” | Weight: 73.9 lbs.

This is Zygarde’s form when about 10 percent of its cells have gathered. It has sharp fangs and runs across the land at a speed of 100 kilometres per hour. When Zygarde needs to fight, its Cores call for the Cells scattered across the land to gather, and then Zygarde transforms into this form.

Zygarde (Complete Forme)

Category: Order Pokémon | Type: Dragon / Ground Height: 14’9″ | Weight: 1344.8 lbs.

Platforms & Release Date

While an exact release date has yet to be shared, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, has been confirmed for a simultaneously worldwide release in Late 2025 for the Nintendo Switch family of systems.