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Game Freak gave us our first real look atPokemon Legends: Z-Afor this year’s Pokemon Day. The trailer shone a spotlight on many of the anticipated title’s key systems, as well as a sizable look at Lumioise City, the largest settlement in Pokemon X & Y, and the sole setting for Z-A.
While much of what we saw was presented in an understandably shallow manner - the game isn’t due until “Late 2025”, after all - we’ve still caught plenty of meaningful connections between Pokemon Legends: Z-A and 2013’s Kalos-bound Nintendo 3DS duo. Here’s everything we’ve caught, and why it’s all rather exciting to behold.
Lumiose And Megas… Obviously
Suffice it to say, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, which takes place entirely inLumiose City,the capital of Kalos, carries forwardPokemon X and Y’s largest hubin exponentially expanded fashion.
But in Legends: Z-A, the city is notably more high-tech, to the point that suspicion is rising from “quite possibly” based on the 2024 reveal to “incredibly likely” with the new one thatthe game is set further in the timelinethan X and Y.
In conjunction with all of this,Mega Evolutions are back. Mega Evolutions are Pokemon X and Y’s big addition to the franchise, and they were carried forth inPokemon Omega Ruby and AlphaSapphire, the third-gen remakes that also shared the sixth-generation limelight.
We’ve not gotten any Megas since, and right now, we lack confirmation that there will be anynewones introduced in Pokemon Legends: Z-A - though we don’t think it’s a huge leap to predict that, yes, we’ll get some fresh stuff here.
AZ And His Floette
We’re still within the realm of “this is pretty clear to anyone who has played X and Y”, but it’s nonetheless a big deal!AZ, whose harrowing personal tale forms acentral framework of Pokemon X and Y’s narrative, has returned for an encore in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
In the Gen 6 mainline titles,AZ loses his beloved Floette in a war, a special partner Pokemon, andcreates a device that uses the lifeforce of other Pokemon in order to resurrect it. Justifiably, this upsets Floette upon its rebirth;seeing the pair reunite at the end of X and Y is heartwarming.
AZ now runsHotel Zin Lumiose City, and if first appearances of his return are any indication,he may serve as the protagonist’s mentor and leaderin Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Again, while it’s not beenconfirmedthat Z-A takes place after X and Y, evidence is mounting, asFloette is with him.
Trainer Archetypes Galore
This is when we get into the weeds some more.Multiple Trainer classes from Pokemon X and Yhave been spotted in Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s trailer, as well as fromofficial artwork on the game’s website. It’s worth noting thatnot all of these are unique to Kalos!These include:
There’s also aHex Maniacin the game’s key art, which has sent off a spiral of hopes thatthe unresolved little mystery in X and Y involving a girl who says you’re “not the one” might be resolved. It’s hard to take a quick glance at a Trainer archetype as gospel, but hey, that’d be neat.
More Trainer Battles?
While we’re at it, let’s highlight thepossibility that more “traditional” Trainer battles are backrelative to Legends: Arceus and even Scarlet and Violet, perhaps includingthe return of “Trainers' Eyes” style encounters,which occur automatically once a Trainer locks eyes with the player character.
The brief bits ofWild Zonesthat we’ve seen include some spots withNPCs who feel positioned very deliberatelyin order to facilitate this mechanic. This is by no means a surefire deal, but if you ask this article’s humble author, I rather hope it’s the case.
Oh Look, Looker’s Back? Or Maybe Emma?
Lookeris a recurring character who first appeared inPokemon Platinum. He’s a member of theInternational Police, and for a good long while, Game Freak really loved to bring him back. Here are his appearances in the main series:
Looker’s story occurs as a post-game episode which
Oddly, he’s an amnesiac, and serves no real purpose.
Pokemon Sun & Moon
Investigating the Ultra Beasts alongside his boss, Anabel.
As with X & Y, Looker’s arc occurs in the post-game.
Cameos on Route 9 and Poni Grove.
He appears alongside Anabel, but contrary to Sun & Moon,
he isn’t given much of a role in USUM.
As you may see,Looker hasn’t shown up in the past two mainline generations. However,his Kalos office is almost certainly in the Pokemon Legends: Z-A trailer.
Importantly,Looker departs Kalos at the conclusion of his post-game episodein X & Y. He leavesEmma, a new character whose story is told in that episode,in charge of his office building. There’s even apicture of Emma’s Espurron the wall in Z-A.
It’s hardly a major jump, then, to guess thatEmma, at least, may be back in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.Looker, then, could also make a long-awaited comeback.
Hisuian Zoroark? A Stretch, But…
Well, this one’s wild, butfans have noticed the rival’s hair has an eerie resemblance to… Hisuian Zoroark, a powerful regional spin on thedisguise-lovingPokemon from Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
It’sentirely conceivablethat this isnothing more than a stylish nod. After all, people in the Pokemon universe don’t shy away from pure Poke-vibes in their wardrobes. But you never know.
If your rival,whose appearance shifts between a more masculine or a more feminine variantper your own protagonist appearance choice, trulyisHisuian Zoroark, then credit where credit’s due - that’s a rather amazing twist.
And we wouldn’t put it past Legends; Arceus already proved that Game Freak isn’t afraid of some terrific twists here and there.
We’ll be sure to update this article if and when more connections emerge.
