Highlights

  • Pokemon Legends: Z-A breaks the main series pattern and brings back Mega Evolutions.
  • Set in Lumiose City, Z-A will offer a modern/futuristic setting, expanding on the Kalos region's history.
  • Mega Evolution's return in Z-A may pave the way for other past battle gimmicks to resurface in future games.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A was revealed, and it hints at breaking a pattern in the series that has been continuing since 2018. Granted, just the mere fact that it's a Pokemon Legends title means that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be taking its own path compared to most main series titles. Most details of the game aside from the premise are largely a mystery due to the trailer being a reveal rather than showing off gameplay, but at least one notable detail emerged.

To celebrate Pokemon Day 2024, Pokemon Legends: Z-A was announced with a 2025 release date. Similar to Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Z-A will be taking players on a trip to a certain point in the Pokemon world's history. This time, the game centers on Lumiose City, the largest city in Kalos and core of the region. Rather than returning to Legends: Arceus' distant past, Legends Z-A looks to take place in a modern, if not futuristic setting, centered on the building of Lumiose city as a utopia for people and Pokemon alike. It will be interesting to see what else is revealed over the coming months.

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Pokemon Legends: Z-A Releasing in 2025 Has One Major Upside

While 2025 might seem like a long way off for Pokemon Legends: Z-A's launch, this release window might mean the game will see one important upgrade.

The Return of Mega Evolution in Pokemon Legends: Z-A Is Worth Celebrating

The end of Pokemon Legends: Z-A's trailer hints at the return of Pokemon's Mega Evolutions. While nothing is specifically said, after the game's name is revealed, the familiar Mega Evolution symbol appears onscreen for a few minutes. Mega Evolution has continued to live on through spin-offs, and yet it hasn't existed as a mechanic in the main series since Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! After not making an appearance in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Legends: Z-A has telegraphed their return well in advance. Considering the mechanic's popularity, letting players immediately know of its return will likely prove to be a wise move.

Mega Evolution returning in Pokemon Legends Z-A makes perfect sense because the Kalos games were where it debuted in the first place.

Mega Evolution offered upgraded forms of certain Pokemon, and among the many gimmicks introduced across Pokemon generations, it was one of the most notable. Mega Evolution was subject to some controversy, both due to only being available to certain Pokemon, as well as some, most infamously Mega Rayquaza, being absurdly powerful. However, considering how popular fan-designed Mega Evolutions are, it's clear that the mechanic was warmly received. Despite that, it has only appeared in a few main series titles:

  • Pokemon X and Y
  • Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
  • Pokemon Sun and Moon
  • Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee!

How Mega Evolutions May Help Redefine Pokemon Legends

Since Mega Evolutions, the series has experimented with other region-specific gimmicks in battles. Alola featured the Z-Moves from Pokemon Sun and Moon, Galar's Pokemon Sword and Shield prominently featured Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing, and the most recent Pokemon Scarlet and Violet showed off Terastallizing.

All of these mechanics provide an extra trick for the users' Pokemon to employ in battle, in the form of a new form, new attacks, or both. All of these gimmicks have their fans, though they each only stuck around for a single generation. With Mega Evolution returning in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, there may be hope for other gimmicks to make their own comebacks later.

Not only is a Pokemon Legends game set in Kalos coming out to flesh out the region further, but Mega Evolution is making a return alongside it. While plenty of old Mega Evolutions are certain to make appearances, some new ones are likely to emerge as well, similar to the Hisuian Form Pokemon from Pokemon Legends: Arceus. The return of Mega Evolution in Pokemon Legends: Z-A is probably going to be one of the game's major selling points.