Pokémon Legends Z-A: Release date speculation & Mega Evolution news

Although we have only gotten one trailer so far, what we've seen has been more than enough to get us excited about the whole game taking place in Lumiose City.

Brimming with Pokémon and new features, Z-A so far has been teasing a locale packed with different Pocket Monsters and things to do.

While we wait for more, let's get into all we know so far about Pokemon Z-A.

When is the Pokémon Legends Z-A release date? Our speculation on the next Pokémon game

Although the Pokémon Legends: Z-A announcement and trailer tells the game has a 2025 release date, an exact day has not been revealed yet, but we speculate it will be out on 12th October 2025.

We believe that's the case due to it falling in line with the anniversary of when Pokémon X & Y came out, on 12th October 13. Releasing Z-A 12 years after X & Y, whether it's a sequel or a spin-off, would be a very fitting nod to the original Kalos games and the older fans who played them.

A rumour on PokeBeach points to a late 2025 release date for Z-A as well, although that is more based on the Pokémon TCG.

Nevertheless, we'll be updating this article as soon as we get confirmation.

Can I pre-order Pokémon Legends Z-A?

Yes, you can pre-order Pokémon Legends Z-A from UK retailers like Amazon and Smyths, even though we still do not know when the game will be released.

We currently haven't found any US pre-orders available, but we'll add them to this section as soon as we find any.

Which consoles and platforms can play Pokémon Legends Z-A?

As for platforms, we know that Pokémon Legends: Z-A will at least 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 who 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.

Do we know what the Pokemon Legends: Z-A starters will be?

We are currently unaware of what the starters in Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be, but we suspect they'll be different to the original Kalos starters in X & Y, which were Froakie, Chespin, and Fennekin.

That's because it looks like the Legends of Pokémon games seem to be setting a trend of using different starters from the initial titles set in each region.

For example, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, set in the Hisui region, the first name for Generation 4's Sinnoh, featured a mix of starters from different generations: the Fire-type Cyndaquil, Grass- & Flying-type Rowlet, and the Water-type Oshawott - instead of Chimchar, Turtwig, and Piplup like in Diamond & Pearl.

Whilst we believe Pokémon ZA will feature starters that still include a Fire-, Grass-, and Water-type each, they'll almost definitely be a generational mix of those from past games.

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!

Read more on Pokémon:

• Best Pokémon gifts - the greatest merch
• Best Pokémon games on Switch - our ranking
• Best shiny Pokémon - the coolest creatures
• Best Dragon-type Pokémon - who's your fave?
• All cat Pokémon - the felines to catch
• Pokémon natures guide - all you need to know
• Pokémon type chart - strengths and weaknesses explained
• Legendary Pokémon - the full list
• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet cheats - handy hacks
• Pokémon Emerald cheats - what you need to know
• Pokémon Fire Red cheats - all codes
• Pokémon Go friend codes - and how to find them
• Pokémon games in order - where to start

Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.