Since its debut, thePokémonseries has kept things fresh by regularly releasing new mainline games. With spin-offs likePokémon SnaporPokémon Legends: Arceus, as well as remakes of older generations filling the gaps between mainline games, a newPokémongame is always seemingly on the horizon. At the moment, while we await Gen 10 news, the latest in that steady flow of Pokémon games is that of the recently showcasedPokémon Legends: Z-A.
After the recent releases ofPokémongames, the lack of a release in 2024 was somewhat surprising.New Pokémon Snap,Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl,Pokémon Legends: Arceus, andPokémon Scarlet and Violet(and their DLCs) were released in fairly quick succession, with some games even releasing within the same year of each other. Other than a sneak peek last year, news on the upcoming game has been rather quiet, that is, untilthe recent Pokémon Day 2025 broadcast.
The Next Pokémon Game Is Pokémon Legends: Z-A
What Is The Next Pokémon Game About?
The nextPokémongame will bePokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest entry in theLegendsspin-off series previously established byPokémon Legends: Arceus. Three years after its predecessor, Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be releasing worldwide later this year. As of the time of this writing, there’s still no specific release date, but considering therelease of the Nintendo Switch 2on June 5th, 2025, it’s anticipated thatPokémon Legends: Z-Awill be looking at a late Fall 2025 release window.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Will Make Or Break The Series On Switch 2
Pokémon games on the Nintendo Switch have suffered from performance issues. Will those issues be fixed on the Switch 2? How will Legends: Z-A fair?
Pokémon Legends Z-Ais set in the Kalos region of the Gen 6 games. WhereasLegends: Arceuswas set in Sinnoh’s past,Legends: Z-Awill be set in Kalos' future, and take place entirely within Lumiose City. Although initial trailers were vague, we now have more details on which Pokémon will be included inLegends Z-A, as well as what the starter options will be. Strangely, two of the options forLegends Z-Awill be Gen 2 starters,Chikorita and Totodile, making Gen 2 now the only generation to have all three of its starters featured as starters in aLegendsgame. The third option is the Gen 5 starter,Tepig.
Most notably,Legends: Z-Awill, of course, markthe return of the Mega Evolution mechanic. As Mega Evolution was introduced alongside the Kalos region inPokémon X and Y, this is only to be expected as the series returns to the setting, but the prospect still provides plenty of exciting new possibilities. While none have been officially confirmed yet,there is a strong expectation that the game will include plenty of brand-new Mega Evolutionsbased onleaks that suggest around 27 new Megasfor Pokémon spanning generations.
After Watching Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s New Trailer, I’m Convinced I Know Who The Villains Will Be
Pokémon Legends Z-A’s new trailer gave us more insight into what to expect, and I think it has all but confirmed who the main villains will be.
In addition to the starter and setting confirmations in the latest trailer, we’ve also learned a bit about what to expect in terms of gameplay. Given how uniqueLegends: Arceuswas, it’s no surprise thatLegends: Z-Ais also willing to experiment with the standard catching and battling mechanics we’ve come to know.Pokémon Legends: Z-Awill featurereal-time action battles with new features, the ability to catch Pokémon that have been completely defeated, and will even includea nighttime battle royale.
What Pokémon Games Are Releasing After Legends Z-A?
Pokémon Gen 10 Games Should Arrive Fairly Soon
It’s unclear just how manyPokémongames are in the works afterLegends: Z-A. However,the next mainline Gen 10 games should followLegends: Z-Aif they stick to the usual pattern. SinceLegends: Z-Awill be released in the latter part of 2025, Gen 10 titles probably won’t come out until at least 2026, perhaps in November, to keep with that long-running tradition. However, there is a chance we could wait until 2027 for the official release of Gen 10, given that there’s been no mention of it at all yet.
There is also the possibility that other new games will be produced alongside these core games. Although no details of any such titles have been announced so far, it is worth noting that everyPokémonGeneration so far has included several side games and other spin-offs. There have already been someleaks pointing to newPokémongamesarriving after the debut of Gen 10, although without any official confirmation, these rumors should naturally be treated with caution.
Sorry, But Your Favorite Pokémon Feature Needs To Be Left Behind For Gen 10
The next mainline Pokémon game needs to desperately change one feature, despite it being a fan-favorite one, or risk losing its best quality.
Furthermore, with there beingno sign of Gen 9 featuring any remakes of previous core titles, expectations are high for Gen 10 to provide the next examples of such games. Following the established pattern,remakes ofPokémon Black and Whiteare strongly believed to be due to be released within the next few years. With the franchise having enjoyed many striking gameplay improvements since the debut of Gen 5 over a decade ago, remakes of these titles have the potential to be truly special games.
What To Expect From Pokémon On Switch 2
The New Console Will Enable Better Functionality
The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will naturally have an immense influence on the future of thePokémonfranchise going forward. As Nintendo has now officially provided an in-depth look atthe Nintendo Switch 2 with improved hardware, it’s clear thatthe experience of playing Nintendo games is shaping up to be better than ever. WhileLegends: Z-Aisn’t going to be a launch title for the Switch 2 like some originally hoped, this is, in some ways, good news for those hoping to grab the console closer to the holidays, especially with some concerns regarding the price of the Nintendo Switch 2.
I Was Excited For Switch 2, But I’m Not Sure The Hype Can Survive A Price Hike
My excitement for the Switch 2 was already somewhat dampened by its price tag, and now it looks like it’s going to become even more expensive.
It is also worth noting thatthe Switch 2 will be backward compatible,andLegends Z-Awill be available for both the Switch and the Switch 2. Although the new console will have exclusive games as well, this same feature may also extend to other futurePokémongames. As a result, the Gen 10 games could also be playable on both the original Switch and the Switch 2, withan upgraded version for the Switch 2. Regardless,the Switch 2’s upgrades promise great things for Gen 10, which could very well be bigger and better than any of its predecessors.
The Switch 2’s backward compatibility means this performance improvement will not only apply to futurePokémontitles, but past titles as well. The Gen 9 games have been infamously plagued by performance issues, which the console may be perfectly positioned to resolve.
Remakes of the Gen 5 games and aLet’s Goversion of the Gen 2 games have long been rumored, but not officially confirmed. All that is known right now is thatPokémon Legends: Z-Awill be the nextPokémongame, and its release later this year will follow the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2. Beyond this, the Gen 10 games will also clearly be available on the new console, with all the benefits that it affords them.
Pokemon Legends Z-A
Lumiose City is undergoing redevelopment to create a space shared by people and Pokémon. This second entry in the Pokémon Legends sub-franchise builds off the unique catching and exploration mechanics first established in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
