Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Everything we know, release date, all confirmed Pokémon

Pokémon Legends Z-A has been officially announced.

The game, which will be the second Pokémon Legends game following Pokémon Legends Arceus, was confirmed as part of Pokémon Presents on February 27, 2024.

The game will see players revisit the Kalos region and Lumoise City.

But when is Pokémon Legends Z-A’s release date? Which Pokémon have been confirmed for Pokémon Legends Z-A and where is Pokémon Legends Z-A set? We’ve answered all of these questions in this comprehensive guide to Pokémon Legends Z-A.

Pokémon Legends Z-A: All Confirmed Pokémon so far

Based on the first trailer for Pokémon Legends Z-A, the following Pokémon have been confirmed to appear in the game.

• Pikachu
• Pyroar
• Littleo

• Klefki
• Furfrou (multiple forms)
• Flabebe

• Fletchling 
• Talonflame

• Dragonair
• Hawlucha

• Gyarados
• Magikarp
• Staryu
• Hippopotas

• Absol
• Emolga
• Arbok

• Sylveon
• Aegislash
• Sandile
• Krookodile

• Heracross
• Pinsir 

• Eevee
• Bellsprout
• Onix

• Noibat

That brings the total list of 25 Pokémon confirmed for the game so far. The majority of the Pokémon confirmed so far debuted in Generation 6 with Pokémon X & Y.

Based on the Pokémon in the trailer, it’s reasonable to expect the following Pokémon will also be available:

• Ekans
• Raichu
• Weepinbell
• Victreebel
• Starmie
• Vaporeon
• Jolteon
• Flareon
• Dratini
• Dragonite
• Spinarak
• Ariados
• Pichu
• Espeon
• Umbreon
• Steelix
• Ralts
• Kirlia
• Gardevoir
• Hippowdon
• Leafeon
• Glaceon
• Gallade
• Krokorok
• Floette
• Florges
• Skiddo
• Gogoat
• Pancham
• Pangoro
• Espurr
• Meowstic
• Honedge
• Doublade
• Skrelp
• Dragalge
• Noivern

Pokémon Legends Z-A: Setting

Pokémon Legends Z-A is set “entirely within Lumiose City,” according to a post from the official Nintendo X account following the new trailer.

Lumoise City is the main hub of the Kalos region. The Kalos region is based in France, and Lumoise City is very clearly inspired by Paris.

In Pokémon X & Y, the city connects several routes to the outside world of Kalos.

It features Clemont, the Lumoise City Gym Leader. It’s unclear how Gyms and battling will function in Pokemon Legends Z-A, as in Pokemon Legends Arceus, Gyms were removed in favor of boss battles against specific Pokémon.

The trailer for Pokémon Legends Z-A referenced the Lumoise City Redevelopment Plan, suggesting the events of the game could take place while the city is being modernized, as is implied by the futuristic trailer.

Pokémon Legends Z-A: Release Date

• Pokémon Legends Z-A will be released in 2025.

Based on recent Pokémon release dates, it’s possible to predict that the game will be released in early 2025.

Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet were both released in November. However, Pokémon Legends Arceus was released in January.

While that would mean that there isn’t time for another Pokémon Presents on Pokémon Day 2025, that doesn’t mean The Pokémon Company can’t do a special stream later in the year to show the game off.

It’s also likely that Pokémon Day 2025 will be the debut of the first Pokémon game to debut on the Nintendo Switch‘s successor console.

Pokémon Legends Z-A: Mega Evolutions

Pokémon Legends Z-A will introduce a mechanic that has been missing from the Pokémon series for years, and it’s one that fans have been desperate to see return to the main series console games.

Mega Evolutions were first introduced in Pokémon X & Y. They are a special battle mechanic wherein certain Pokémon can evolve mid-battle, for the duration of the battle, into a special form that is significantly more powerful, and has new abilities.

This mechanic was removed following Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire on the 3DS. It made its return in Pokémon GO some years ago, but it’s yet to return to the main series, being replaced instead by a new battle mechanic each generation.

The end of the Pokémon Legends ZA trailer confirmed that Mega Evolutions are returning and likely means that new Pokémon will be given Mega forms. The complete list of Pokémon that can currently Mega Evolve is:

• Venusaur
• Charizard
• Blastoise
• Alakazam
• Gengar
• Kangaskhan
• Pinsir
• Gyarados
• Aerodactyl
• Mewtwo
• Ampharos
• Scizor
• Heracross
• Houndoom
• Tyranitar
• Blaziken
• Sceptile
• Swampert
• Gardevoir
• Sableye
• Mawile
• Aggron
• Medicham
• Manectric
• Sharpedo
• Camerupt
• Ataria
• Banette
• Absol
• Glalie
• Salamance
• Metagross
• Latias
• Rayquaza
• Lopunny
• Garchomp
• Lucario
• Abomasnow
• Gallade
• Audino
• Diancie

Pokémon Legends Z-A: Zygarde

The Legendary Pokémon in Pokémon Legends Z-A is very likely to be Zygarde.

Zygarde was first introduced in Pokémon X&Y as the third legendary in the trio with Yvetal and Xerneas. However, as the sixth generation of Pokémon games didn’t receive a third “definitive edition,” like many previous entries, Zygarde’s storyline was never explored, and it was simply found in a cave.

Based on the title, it’s reasonable to expect that Zygarde, alongside its other forms, will be a major focus in Pokemon Legends Z-A.

Pokémon Legends Z-A: IS IT GENERATION 9 OR 10?

Based on current information, Pokemon Legends Z-A is a Generation 9 Pokemon game.

Generations in Pokemon are determined by the last main series game that has been released, meaning that Pokemon: Legends Z-A would fall into the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet generation, which is generation 9.

Generation 10 is likely to begin soon, given the cycle of releases of Pokemon games, however, it’s also been speculated that the tenth generation of Pokemon games may not be released until 2026, which will be the 30th anniversary of the release of Pokemon Red and Green in Japan, however this is purely speculation.