The Pokémon Company shocked fans like a Pikachu using Thunderbolt with the surprise announcement of Pokémon Legends: Z-A during the Pokémon Day 2024 Pokémon Presents.
However, one fascinating detail is missing from the trailer — Pokémon Legends: Z-A will take place completely within Lumiose City, the iconic metropolis from Pokémon X and Y.
This unique twist on the typical formula was revealed shortly after Pokémon Presents when Nintendo of America reposted the trailer on X (formerly Twitter). Their caption states: “Watch to see the reveal trailer for #PokemonLegendsZA, a new adventure set entirely within Lumiose City, coming to #NintendoSwitch in 2025.”
The announcement sparked a sea of replies raging from pure bewilderment to complete excitement flooding Nintendo’s post — as well as the expected “It’s been 3,000 years…” GIFs littered between every 2-3 posts.
For those who missed out on Pokémon X and Y back in 2013 (yes, it’s really been that long), Lumiose City was a location heavily inspired by Paris and is the largest city in the game by far. It houses numerous shops, cafés, a train station, restaurants, and, of course, a gym.
Compared to Pokémon Legends Arceus, which allowed exploration of the entire Hisui region, and the established regional format of other mainline Pokemon titles, Z-A’s urban setting marks a bold and intriguing decision I can’t wait to see unfold.
While Lumiose City was certainly big in X and Y, the limitations of the 3DS hindered its full potential. As the second-most populated city in the Pokémon world (according to Bulbapedia), I’m eager to see how Game Freak will expand Lumiose and transform it into a city capable of holding an entire region’s worth of content.
As well as the return of Kalos — or part of it, at least — Mega Evolution is teased at the very end of Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s trailer. Aside from spin-offs such as Pokémon GO, Legends Z-A will mark the first time this one-generation gimmick has been used in over a decade.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is set to launch for Nintendo Switch in 2025.
