Pokémon Legends Z-A: Release date speculation and Mega Evolution news
The next Pokémon game? It's a return trip to Kalos.
The next mainline Pokémon game has been announced, in the form of Pokémon Legends Z-A, and although we haven't heard much from the game recently, it's hard not to get excited.
A few things are known from the announcement trailer, like where the game is set to take place, a release window, and we know it's coming to Switch, but with rumours on the horizon of a sequel console, it's hard to predict what may happen.
Keep reading for everything we know so far.
When is the Pokémon Legends Z-A release date? Our speculation on the next Pokémon game
Regarding the Pokémon Legends Z-A release date, the official trailer confirms that 2025 will be the year we all return to Kalos in the next Pokémon game, but we've not heard much since.
The announcement did not mention a precise date, so it's time to put our speculation hat on.
If the developers at Game Freak wanted to aim for the original X and Y release date, the anniversary for that would be 12th October 2025.
Twelve years on from the original X and Y launch, that October window is as good a guess as any for the arrival of ZA.
A recent rumour, based on Pokémon TCG (thanks PokeBeach for the sleuthing!) suggests that the Legends ZA release date could be summer or autumn 2025.
We'll update this page with the official release date or window for when Nintendo spills the beans. We hope it's soon.
Can I pre-order Pokémon Legends Z-A?
Yes, you can pre-order Pokémon Legends Z-A from Amazon, even though we still do not know when the game will be released.
Which consoles and platforms can play Pokémon Legends Z-A?
We know that Pokémon Legends Z-A will be available on Nintendo Switch, with the console's familiar red and white logo in the official announcement trailer.
No mention was made in the presentation of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, or whatever the next console from the iconic Japanese company ends up being called.
In time, we wouldn't be surprised to find out that Z-A is also available on Nintendo's next console, as well as the Switch, given how rumours are consistently swirling of its impending release.
Pokémon Legends Z-A gameplay news - Is Mega Evolution back in the next Pokémon game?
The trailer for Pokémon Legends Z-A only really confirmed one thing in terms of gameplay — by including the familiar icon above, the developers made it clear that Mega Evolution will feature in Pokémon Legends Z-A.
People that played the original X and Y games will know that Mega Evolution originated in those titles, before being included in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire as well.
Through the use of special stones, Mega Evolution allows select Pokémon to transform into 'Mega' versions of themselves (with new designs, abilities and improved stats) midway through battle.
Similar gimmicks have appeared in more recent games, but some fans have been hoping for a long time to see Mega Evolution return.
Pokémon Legends Z-A story news - Is it a prequel?
Regarding the story, it's currently unclear whether Pokémon Legends Z-A is set before or after Pokémon X and Y.
The only previous mainline Pokémon game to have 'Legends' in the title was 2022's Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which travelled back in time to an ancient period way before Diamond and Pearl (all three of those games were set in the same region).
Going by the word 'Legends', you might expect Z-A to be a prequel to X and Y. However, the talk of urban redevelopment in the trailer makes us think that it could be set after the events of X and Y.
The Z and A in the name also make us think of the mysterious old man named AZ, who appeared in X and Y. He turned out to be the former king of Kalos, which again could play into the prequel theory.
The Z could be a nod to Zygarde, too, a Legendary Pokémon with many different forms that first appeared in X and Y. Only time will tell if that factors into the story somehow! We'll update this page when we can.
Is there a Pokémon Legends Z-A trailer?
You can check out the Pokémon Legends Z-A reveal trailer below. It didn't give much away, to be honest, but it was enough to get us excited!
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- Pokémon natures guide - all you need to know
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- Legendary Pokémon - the full list
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- Pokémon games in order - where to start
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Authors
Rob Leane is the Gaming Editor at Radio Times, overseeing our coverage of the biggest games on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC, mobile and VR. Rob works across our website, social media accounts and video channels, as well as producing our weekly gaming newsletter. He has previously worked at Den of Geek, Stealth Optional and Dennis Publishing.
