ICYMI: Pokémon Announces ‘Pokémon Champions’; Confirms ‘Pokémon Legends: Z-A’ For Late 2025

Nintendo’s recent Pokémon Presents confirmed two major projects for the near future in Pokémon Champions and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The former is a new title coming to Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android and is focused entirely on battling. All the important mechanics like Types, Abilities, and moves will be present, so fans can expect the full Pokémon battle experience.  At the same time, players will also be able to bring in their own Pokémon from Pokémon HOME for cross-platform fights, meaning they will be able to face each other whether they’re on Switch or mobile platforms. Currently, there’s no release date though.

The bigger news: we finally got an actual look at the world of Pokémon Legends Z-A. In Z-A, players are new citizens of the recently re-designed Lumiose City, where it is undergoing an urban redevelopment to make it welcoming to both humans and Pokémon. Players will attain one of three Pokémon: Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile, before being set loose in Lumiose.

The big change for Pokémon Legends Z-A appears to be slightly more action-oriented combat in place of being strictly turn-based. Players will be able to move with their Pokémon, allowing them to capitalize on the shorter or longer reach of different moves. This also means the playing characters will finally be able to actually dodge Pokémon attacks.

Interestingly, despite showing so much more, there’s still currently no release date for Legends Z-A, other than a late 2025 launch window. Given the Switch’s successor will likely be out by then, it’s strange that there is no current firm time for the game’s debut.