You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you’re reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here
Game Freak and The Pokemon Company has officially revealed gameplay for Pokémon Legends Z-A, the long-awaited next game in the iconic monster catching franchise. After a year of extra development time, the Nintendo Switch game has finally been properly revealed in a brand-new trailer alongside a release date.
Pokémon Legends Z-A release date
During the Pokemon Presents direct video, Game Freak confirmed the Pokémon Legends Z-A release date for Late 2025. Coming after the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the game will be playable on both generations of Nintendo handhelds.
Pokémon Legends Z-A gameplay
Set within Lumiose City from Pokemon X and Y, players will explore the incredibly dense city with parkour elements, wild roaming creatures and the street battling with physical movement to avoid damage. After choosing from the starter Pokemon of Totodile, Chikorita or Tepig, players will explore a city going through a major redevelopment plan.
Alongside the return of Legends Acrceus-style gameplay, Pokemon Legends Z-A will also see the return of Mega Evolution, a mechanic missing from the series since Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. This mechanic allows you to temporarily evolve your creature into a more powerful form with awesome effects.
For the first time in the Pokemon series, battling has been overhauled. Now, moves have their own stats regarding reach and power, meaning your Pokemon needs to be within distance of another creature to do damage. Alongside the new battling, players will have to be careful to not get in the way of monster’s attacks.
To bring wild Pokemon to the city, multiple wild zones have been set up within the sprawling urban environment. Here, you’ll engage in catching mechanics very similar to those seen in Legends: Arceus, allowing you to sneak around and catch creatures without them noticing.
Additionally, the new game appears to be focused around Zygarde, a legendary Pokemon introduced in X and Y but not seen in-game until Sun and Moon. While not confirmed, it appears that players will be able to discover Zygarde cells across Lumiose City.
