New Pokémon Game, Pokémon Legends Z-A, Announced for 2025 Release

During a special Pokémon Presents showcase marking today’s celebrations, a highly anticipated new Pokémon game was revealed to the eager fans. Titled Pokémon Legends Z-A, the game will take players back to the beloved Kalos region originally featured in the Pokémon X and Y games.

The highlight of the announcement was the return to the Paris-inspired Lumiose City, a central location in the 2013 3DS titles, with hints of an upcoming urban redevelopment plan shaping the city to accommodate both people and pokémon.

The official trailer confirmed that the game, split across Pokémon Legends Z and Pokémon Legends A, is scheduled for release in 2025. Although the exact date remains unspecified, speculations point towards a potential October 12th launch to coincide with the anniversary of the original X and Y release in 2013.

Pokémon Legends Z is set to be available on the Nintendo Switch, as indicated by the console’s familiar red and white logo showcased in the official teaser trailer. While there was no mention of compatibility with rumored Switch successors, a future release for the next generation consoles may be a possibility.

One prominent feature highlighted in the trailer is the confirmation of the inclusion of Mega Evolution in the gameplay. Originating in Pokémon X and Y, Mega Evolution allows select pokémon to transform into enhanced versions of themselves mid-battle, with improved stats and abilities.

The narrative direction of Pokémon Legends Z remains a mystery, leaving fans to speculate on whether the game serves as a prequel or sequel to the events of Pokémon X and Y. The cryptic title, with its reference to the enigmatic character AZ and the Legendary Zygarde, suggests potential ties to the lore established in the earlier games.