We’ve finally got a hint as to the next Pokémon game, so here’s what we know about the Pokémon Legends Z-A release date, gameplay, starters, characters, and more. Taking place in the Kalos region, the new game falls in the Legends series, following on from Legends Arceus.
With this news, we simply can’t wait for Nintendo’s next hybrid handheld console, with plenty of exciting new Switch games coming up all the time to add to the hype. For more creature-collecting goodness, we suggest you grab the latest Pokémon Unite codes and Pokémon Go codes for some fun freebies.
Here’s everything we know about a Pokémon Legends Z-A release date.
Pokémon Legends Z-A release date window
Game Freak has revealed a late 2025 Pokémon Legends Z-A release date window. This was confirmed during the February 2025 Pokémon Presents, with the ‘late’ aspect leading us to believe that it will likely be a holiday-season release. Of course, we’ll be sure to update this guide as soon as we know more.
What is Pokémon Legends Z-A?
Pokémon Legends Z-A is a brand new title in the Pokémon series, and takes place in Lumiose City, the largest city in the Kalos region. With the stunning Prism Tower at its center, Lumiose City is full of beautiful vistas and stunning architecture, but is currently undergoing a high-tech redevelopment plan to turn it into a place that people and Pokémon truly share.
During the February 2025 Pokémon Presents, we got a closer look at what’s coming in Pokémon Legends Z-A. The footage showcases a cute, urban setting with architecture that appears to be inspired by Paris, where trainers can enjoy a cup of coffee with their Pokémon before taking on other trainers and even capturing new Poképals among the quaint streets.
To help people and Pokémon coexist, the city has set up ‘Wild Zones’, which give wild Pokémon habitats where they can thrive. You’ll be able to enter these Wild Zones and capture the Pokémon there by tossing your good ol’ Pokéballs at them. However, if you’re having a hard time catching them, you can use one of your own Pokémon to weaken them before trying again.
The game boasts a fresh style of Pokémon battling not seen in previous titles, with an exciting amount of freedom of movement. Here, moves can have a longer or shorter reach, or different areas of effect, meaning you need to choose your timing and positioning carefully to gain the upper hand in battle.
Pokémon Legends Z-A also features mega evolutions. When your keystone resonates with the mega stone held by your Pokémon, rather than simply changing shape, the Pokémon unlocks a new level of power that allows you to turn the tide of battle in your favor.
At the March 2025 Nintendo Direct, we got another look at the game with a new trailer showing similar things to what we saw during the Pokémon Presents in February. However, it also gave us some information that details the differences in how the city is at night. During the day, it’s all about the redevelopment of Lumiose City and working with Pokémon, while nighttime is when all the trainers come out for a battle.
More specifically, trainers come together to take part in a tournament known as the Z-A Royale. You can find them in the various battle zones throughout the city, and you can even get the jump on them. If you spot a trainer and send your ‘mon on the attack, they perform a special sneak attack that gives you the advantage.
There are heaps of other exciting aspects and experiences for us to explore as we watch the city undergo its transformation, and we can’t wait to dive in for ourselves! Check back here later for all the latest news and info on this exciting new game in the iconic series. In the meantime, you can check out the video below for an extended look at Pokémon Legends Z-A.
What are the Pokémon Legends Z-A starters?
The Pokémon Legends Z-A starters are Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile. After arriving in Lumiose to see the sights, you get to choose which of these three cuties you want to accompany on your new journey as you get to know this bustling city and its inhabitants.
Who are the Pokémon Legends Z-A characters?
In addition to the now-staple of featuring you – yes you! – via a customizable character, Pokémon Legends Z-A also features a new cast of characters to meet.
Here are the Pokémon Legends Z-A characters we know about so far:
- Urbain / Taunie – your new friend and ally in Lumiose City. Which character you meet out of these two depends on the appearance you choose for yourself in the game
- AZ – the man who runs the hotel you’ll be staying at
- Eternal Flower Floette – AZ’s partner
- Jett – CEO of Quasartico Inc, the company managing Lumiose’s revdevelopment
- Vinnie – Jett’s secretary
Will Pokémon Legends Z-A be on the Switch 2?
It seems very likely that Pokémon Legends Z-A will release on the Switch and Switch 2 at the same time, as the announcement ended by stating the game releases “simultaneously” worldwide. However, this could also easily mean that all regions will receive the game at the same time, so we can’t say for sure.
With the Nintendo Switch 2 on the horizon and the Pokémon Legends Z-A release window set for sometime in late 2025, it’s seeming more and more likely that we’ll get this new Pokémon game on the new console at release. But, either way, Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will have backwards compatibility, so even if you buy a standard Switch copy it should still work.
That’s all we’ve got on Pokémon Legends Z-A for now, but we’ll be sure to update this guide if any fresh info comes to light. In the meantime, if you need help getting back into the battling spirit, brush up on all the electric Pokémon weaknesses, ghost Pokémon weaknesses, and pick some of the best normal Pokémon to try in Pokémon Go.