The Pokemon Company and developer Game Freak have announced Pokemon Legends: Z-A for Switch. It will launch in 2025 worldwide.

The news was revealed during the Pokémon Presents stream today (February 27), and while the announcement of the new TCG Pocket mobile app is certainly fantastic for fans of the trading card game, Legends Z-A was easily the most exciting reveal of the lot. 

The cinematic trailer shown during the event teased an “urban redevelopment plan” for the Kalos region’s Paris-inspired Lumiose City, which was introduced in the Generation 6 games, It also teased that the fan-favorite Mega Evolution mechanic is back. You can take a look below.

Description reads: “A new adventure awaits within Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokemon. Please look forward to seeing it for yourself.​​”

Admittedly, we’ve not been given very much information here regarding what Legends Z-A will be about. 

Pokémon Legends Arceus was the first game to use the ‘Legends’ subtitle

Took players back in time to a historical version of Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum’s Sinnoh region. If  Legends Z-A does the same thing and takes us back in time, it already has plenty of potential material to work with, as it was previously revealed that a war took place 3,000 years before the 2013 games, Pokémon X and Y.

Right now though, it’s not clear if Legends Z-A will also take place in the past at all, so this is pure speculation. Regardless though, it’s thrilling news for fans of the Generation 6 games X and Y, as Kalos is one of the only regions that never received a third version (such as Crystal, Emerald, and Platinum). Therefore, we can be sure that there’s plenty more interesting Kalos lore to uncover when the game launches next year.

In the realm of lore, there was a time when Zygarde’s presence in the games left fans eager for more. Despite being catchable, the lack of quests surrounding Zygarde sparked speculation among enthusiasts, leading many to anticipate a potential third entry following the footsteps of X & Y, as was customary in the Pokémon universe back then. However, such a release never came to fruition.

Fast forward to 2022, when Pokémon Legends: Arceus emerged as the latest addition to the esteemed franchise. Transporting players to the ancient Hisui region, this game breathed new life into the Pokémon formula, garnering praise from both fans and critics alike.

Diverging from the conventional journey of conquering gym leaders and the Elite Four, Legends: Arceus thrusts players into a world of exploration and discovery. The primary objective? Completing the Hisui region’s inaugural Pokédex by studying Pokémon in their natural habitat.

VGC’s review hailed Pokémon Legends: Arceus as “the series’ best game in years,” emphasizing its role as a much-needed breath of fresh air. Far from just a visual spectacle, the game captivates with its immersive gameplay and compelling narrative, making it a must-play for veterans and newcomers alike.

Pokémon Legends Z-A’s first trailer teases a very digital world. So, it might feel very different from the natural landscapes of Pokémon Legends Arceus.