Summary
Pokemonfans are reasonably excited after the latest Pokemon Presents. Even though the presentation was mostly about the many updates, news, and future content releases of the franchise’s many live-service games, the next direction of the series is made clear withthe announcement ofPokemon Trading Card Pocket, and the notably most intriguingPokemon Legends Z-A.
As exciting as the nextLegendsgame coming out in 2025 is, it’s easy to say that what exactlyPokemon Legends Z-Ais about is entirely unexpected, as many fans were thinkingPokemon ScarletandViolet’s focus on Johto and Unova would lead to different regions getting some spotlight. With the constant presence of Virizion, Cobalion, and Terrakion, as well as Entei, Suicune, and Raikou, the Paradox Pokemon made to represent them and future events dealing with them inPokemonmobile games definitely made this seem like the case. Instead of the expected next step from Game Freak, however, they seem to be catching up on one big forgotten promise:Pokemon Z.
Pokemon Z Has Been an Empty Hole in the Heart of Pokemon Fans For a Decade
Pokemon X and Y Marked the End of an Important Pokemon Tradition
Starting withPokemon Yellow, mainlinePokemongames always had a third version.YellowtoRedandBlue,CrystaltoGoldandSilver,EmeraldtoRubyandSapphire, andPlatinumtoDiamondandPearl, with additional content being included.Pokemon BlackandWhitemay not have a conventional third entry, butBlack 2andWhite 2are hardly the only traditions that Generation 5 broke compared to the ones before it.
WhilePokemon XandYcertainly learned some lessons from Gen 5, it was a return to form on almost everything thattheBlackandWhitegames did differently, which made people think that the trend of a third game would once again play an important role with the names “X” and “Y.” The idea of a “Pokemon Z” following afterPokemon XandYjust sounded right to many players, which became one of the most anticipated third releases in the franchise, only for it to never come. Even after the series moved on to Generation 7, fans still desiredPokemon Zyears later.
Pokemon Legends Z-A Isn’t As Out of Nowhere As It Seems
With things such asPokemon XY&Z the Seriescompleting the set its understandable as to why many Gen 6 fans felt unfulfilled without aPokemon Z. Although it seems like Generation 5 is being skipped when it comes to remakes, there have actually beenclues of Kalos making a returnfor quite some time. Leaks, alongside the fact that Paldea is based on Spain and is a neighbor to Kalos' inspiration in real-life, France, made players think that the latter region would be explored in post-game or DLC much like Kanto inGoldandSilver.
This didn’t end up being the case, but some leakers were extremely too creditable to be fully wrong and Nintendo evenrenewed its trademark forPokemon XandYlast year. It’s understandable as to why fans would think that it was most likely Kalos DLC forPokemon ScarletandVioletin terms of the geography, and while some fans still hoped forPokemon Z, the series has moved far beyond Generation 6 by now, leaving the possibility highly unlikely. It seems, however, that those who refused to forget aboutPokemon Zare now being rewarded, asPokemon Legends Z-Abrings back the Kalos region with an entire game based in Lumiose City.
It’s no wonder thatPokemon Legends Z-Ahas excited as many fans as it did, as over a decade of hopes and rumors have come together to help complete thePokemon X,Y, and Z package. There may still be quite a long wait until players see whatPokemon Legends Z-Aplans to do with Mega Evolution, Luminose City, and Kalos as a whole, but the ten years it took for a “Pokemon Z” is almost finally over.
Pokemon Legends Z-A
The sequel to Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Legends: Z-A takes Pokemon trainers back to the Kalos region’s Lumiose City.
