Pokémon Legends: Z-A continues the evolution of the franchise by returning to Kalos

Last year during Pokémon Day, The Pokémon Company announced their next mainline game in the form of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, a semi-sequel to the Nintendo 3DS Pokémon X and Y titles. Today, Pokémon Day 2025, they finally are giving us plenty of new information to chew on for the new Legends title.

The entire game seems to be set in not only the Kalos region but entirely within the capital, Lumiose City. As Kalos is based on France, Lumiose is based on the city of Paris, complete with Prism Tower in homage to the Eiffel Tower.

Since the end of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, Lumiose City is under high-tech urban development to make it a city dedicated to both its human and Pokémon inhabitants. If you watched the Pokémon Detective Pikachu movie, it’s similar to what happened in Ryme City before the events of that film.

Similar to Pokémon Legends Arceus, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is meant to feel like the classic Pokémon formula, but a bit different and remixed. For instance, when you arrive in Lumiose, you get to choose your new partner Pokémon from the fire-based pig Tepig, the adorable grass-type Chikorita, or the chompy water boi Totodile.

In addition, you’ll meet a new friend of the opposite gender that you choose, either Urbain or Taunie. They’ll serve as a friend and rival throughout Pokémon Legends: Z-A, similar to Rei and Akari from Pokémon Legends Arceus.

I mentioned that Pokémon Legends: Z-A serves as a semi-sequel to the 3DS titles. As you’re not playing as the same characters anymore, it does offer some hints that this is later in the timeline. For instance, without spoiling too much of the plot of the older games, the character AZ and his Floette run a hotel now, which is where your character stays.

The redevelopment is being managed by Quasartico Inc. Throughout the story, you’ll deal with the CEO, Jett, and her secretary, Vinnie. Not much is known about them yet, but CEOs in Pokémon games and media tend to be part of the problem or (at minimum) adversarial a lot of the time.

Now, you may be wondering how you catch Pokémon if you’re in a city. During the urban development, they’ve been adding Wild Zones, a new, bite-size take on Wild Areas of a few of the previous entries into the franchise. Instead of focusing on vast growth and exploration, these are more like small parks to catch Pokémon in.

Speaking of catching Pokémon, the live catching mechanic from Pokémon Legends Arceus is back and still looks great! Battling has even gotten an overhaul, allowing you to dodge attacks from opponents in a new way to help you strategize depending on how far away you are and what attack is being shot at your Pokémon.

But, since this is the Kalos Region, you can’t not have Mega Evolution. Just like in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, you’ll be able to use your Keystone to resonate with a Mega Stone being held by your Pokémon. In the Pokémon Day 2025 trailer, a ton of returning Mega Evolutions are back. But, there’s no word on if there are any new ones in Pokémon Legends: Z-A just yet.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is set to release in late 2025. While you wait, you should check out the news of Pokémon Champions, a new Nintendo Switch and mobile game coming out that’ll allow you to have full Pokémon battles using your own caught Pokémon on the go.

The news for Pokémon Day was plentiful during the Pokémon Presents today. Check out our coverage on Pokémon TCG Pocket, Pokémon Unite, Pokémon Champions, and the roundup for everything else announced!