The Pokémon Company (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara) is pleased to share the following news about the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 software title Pokémon Legends: Z-A and the Nintendo Switch 2 software title Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
New Pokémon Legends: Z-A Video Released!
Lumiose City Transforms Between Day and Night
Team MZ: Protecting the Peace in Lumiose City
Revealing a Powerful Opponent You'll Face in a Promotion Match!
Mega-Evolved Pokémon Newly Discovered in Lumiose City
Help Research Pokémon and Solve People's Problems
Enjoy Adventuring in Your Own Style!
Making the Most of Your Adventure
Physical Version Preorders Begin Soon! Also Introducing Early-Purchase Bonuses!
1. New Pokémon Legends: Z-A Video Released!
Preorders for the physical version of Pokémon Legends: Z-A are slated to begin on Wednesday, July 23. A special video showcasing the latest information about this title is now available on the official Pokémon YouTube channel. Please check it out.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A 3rd Trailer
2. Lumiose City Transforms Between Day and Night
Our story unfolds in Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway
The story is set in Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon. Compared to Lumiose City as it appeared in the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games, released in 2013, more greenery now adorns the city, alongside facilities with a cutting-edge feel.
Spaces frequented by people—such as shopping arcades, cafés, and restaurants—coexist with more natural areas, such as waterfronts and verdant parks. At the center of Lumiose stands Prism Tower, the very symbol of the city.
The story begins with a sightseeing trip to Lumiose City...
After you arrive in Lumiose, certain events will lead you to befriend a Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile that will become your adventuring partner. Thus begins your journey as a Pokémon Trainer. Soon after, you'll find yourself staying at an old lodging establishment named Hotel Z, and you—along with the new friends you'll meet in Lumiose—will tackle all sorts of events and incidents occurring in the city.
Run through the city and explore during the day!
As part of Lumiose's urban redevelopment plan, driven by the large corporation Quasartico Inc., the city has been outfitted with "wild zones" in an effort to help humans and Pokémon share the city. These areas are constructed using cutting-edge technology to set aside places for Pokémon to live. Within wild zones, you can battle Pokémon and catch them by throwing Poké Balls. Wild zones are set up throughout the city, so try exploring them when you find them!
Wild zones can also be explored at night.
To progress through the Z-A Royale—a competition that kicks into gear when night falls—you'll want to train your Pokémon by battling against wild ones, as well as stock up on useful items for battle.
You may run into tough wild Pokémon called alpha Pokémon. It seems that alpha Pokémon are larger than their regular counterparts, have glowing red eyes, and are particularly powerful and difficult to catch. They will chase you down and attack you once they notice you, so do your best to avoid getting hit while battling. They'll probably make great allies if you manage to catch them and add them to your team.
Mega Stones–the keys to Mega Evolution
In order for your Pokémon to Mega Evolve, you'll need to obtain mysterious stones called Mega Stones.
One way to get them might be at Quasartico Inc., where someone will trade them to you for Mega Shards. Mega Shards can be found by having your Pokémon use their moves to break clusters of Mega Crystals scattered around the city. Alternatively, you can get Mega Stones from places like the Stone Emporium, a shop carrying an assortment of stone-related items.
Take on the Z-A Royale at night
When night falls in Lumiose, a battle zone—an area fenced off in red with cutting-edge holographic technology—appears somewhere within the city. Every night from dusk till dawn, Trainers compete in fierce Pokémon battles within these battle zones as part of the Z-A Royale.
Pokémon Trainers whose skills have been recognized are invited to battle in the Z-A Royale to determine who is the strongest. Competing Trainers earn ranks from Rank Z to Rank A. All participants start at Rank Z and aim to rise through the ranks by winning Pokémon battles against other competitors. If a Trainer reaches Rank A, they won't just earn the honor of being known as the strongest around—apparently, they may also have one wish granted. After you prove your Pokémon battle skills, you'll be thrust into this fierce tournament alongside either Urbain or Taunie—a fellow competitor in the Z-A Royale.
The appearance you choose at the beginning of the game will determine whether Urbain or Taunie will appear.
3. Team MZ: Protecting the Peace in Lumiose City
Your adventuring crew: Team MZ
After you prove your Pokémon battle skills to either Urbain or Taunie, who acts as a live-in staff member at Hotel Z, you'll join Team MZ, a crew that aims to keep Lumiose a peaceful place. Along with Urbain or Taunie, Team MZ also has Lida, who aims to become a professional dancer, and Naveen, a fashion designer in the making. You'll adventure alongside them to protect the peace in Lumiose City.
Urbain / Taunie
Your new friend lives and works at Hotel Z, supporting the owner, AZ, however they can. They may come on strong at times, but they love helping people and Pokémon, and they're quite skilled at Pokémon battles too.
The appearance you choose at the beginning of the game will determine whether Urbain or Taunie will appear.
Lida
Lida is a dance school student who came to Lumiose seeking to become a professional dancer. She joined Team MZ in exchange for lodging after Urbain or Taunie reached out to her. Her friends in Team MZ have come to trust her. She's a foodie who loves croissants, and her main partner is Staryu.
Naveen
Naveen is an aspiring fashion designer who's earning a reputation in Lumiose City as a designer shrouded in mystery. After encountering Urbain or Taunie, he joined Team MZ in exchange for receiving a studio space. He is not fond of Pokémon battling, and his main partner is Scraggy.
Rogue Mega Evolution disturbs the peace
In Lumiose City, a strange phenomenon dubbed Rogue Mega Evolution—in which wild Pokémon Mega Evolve on their own—has begun to appear. Ordinarily, a Trainer would have a Pokémon that can Mega Evolve hold a Mega Stone, and then the Pokémon would be able to Mega Evolve if it has a strong bond with its Trainer. However, it seems that some Pokémon in Lumiose City have been undergoing Rogue Mega Evolution and going on rampages–seemingly in pain.
Quasartico Inc., the corporation driving Lumiose City's redevelopment, will task you and the rest of Team MZ with aiding their investigation into these strange occurrences. Work together with your friends from Team MZ to take on and calm a variety of Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon. You can also obtain Mega Stones by pacifying Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon.
4. Revealing a Powerful Opponent You'll Face in a Promotion Match!
The Z-A Royale: A nightly competition that begins at sundown!
When night falls in Lumiose, a battle zone will appear in the city. Every night from dusk till dawn, Trainers compete in fierce Pokémon battles within these battle zones as part of the Z-A Royale. Once you set foot inside a battle zone, you'll find battle-ready Trainers and their Pokémon on the lookout for opponents to challenge.
To raise your rank in the Z-A Royale, you must take part in promotion matches and win. In promotion matches, you'll go head-to-head against a tough Trainer who's also looking to move up through the ranks. Be sure that you've raised your Pokémon well before taking on the competition, and do your best to reach the ultimate rank: Rank A!
Corbeau: One of your promotion match opponents
One powerful competitor you'll face in a promotion match is Corbeau. While he may be participating as an individual in the Z-A Royale, he also leads the Rust Syndicate, a menacing group that gathers in a grand building. He's up to his own business in Lumiose City.
Many other powerful and unique opponents await you in the Z-A Royale.
Corbeau, the boss of the Rust Syndicate
Corbeau is the boss of the Rust Syndicate. He comes off as domineering, cold, and intimidating. As a Pokémon Trainer, he focuses on Poison-type Pokémon, and it seems he has his own kind of business underway in Lumiose City.
5. Mega-Evolved Pokémon Newly Discovered in Lumiose City
Introducing the newly discovered Mega-Evolved Pokémon Mega Dragonite!
Mega Dragonite
Category: Dragon Pokémon
Type: Dragon/Flying
Height: 7'3" (2.2 m)
Weight: 639.3 lbs. (290 kg)
It Soars Around Using the Large Wings on Its Head, Which Act as Feelers!
Mega Dragonite has distinctive Dragonair-like features, like wings on its head and a pearl on its tail. Thanks to Mega Evolution, Dragonite can now fly faster and farther than before.
Even Its Kindhearted Nature Is Powered Up!
For Mega Dragonite, ending a Pokémon match quickly is an act of kindness toward its opponent. Its kindhearted nature gets amplified when it Mega Evolves, and it launches powerful attacks at its opponent with a smile. At the same time, if it senses someone in trouble, it has the kindness to instantly rush to their aid—even if it's in the middle of an intense battle.
6. Help Research Pokémon and Solve People's Problems
A sudden influx of Pokémon in the city!
Mable is the acting director of the Pokémon Research Lab. Since the urban redevelopment plan began, the number of Pokémon in Lumiose City has surged. Mable researches the habits of these Pokémon and is looking into the reason their numbers have grown. She seeks your help in her investigation. As part of this research, you'll register a variety of Pokémon in your Pokédex by catching or evolving them, and at times you'll obtain Mega Stones, allowing you to register Mega-Evolved Pokémon to your Mega Evolution Pokédex. Complete Mable's requests to get TMs and other rewards. TMs teach your Pokémon moves they can't learn through leveling up, which can help them they become more effective in battle.
Mable
She's the acting director of the Pokémon Research Lab. She's pleased that urban redevelopment has brought more Pokémon to the city, but it seems her research can't keep up. So, she has decided to ask you to help her with it. She ponders what kind of distance there ought to be between humans and Pokémon.
A city full of problems!
You'll assist Emma, a detective working at a detective agency, and go on to help track down missing Pokémon, locate missing items, and—sometimes—take part in Pokémon battles! Work together with Pokémon to solve the problems of people both young and old in Lumiose City.
Emma
Emma inherited the head role at her detective agency, and she asks you to help her with her detective work. She's the best in Lumiose City when it comes to detective work, not to mention a fierce Pokémon Trainer. It seems like she hopes for peace in Lumiose.
7. Enjoy Adventuring in Your Own Style!
Customize your profile in the Z-A Royale app
The Z-A Royale app will register your rank, the number of points you've obtained, your prize medals, and other battle records. You can also customize your profile picture in detail with a variety of filters, expressions, and poses! Make a profile that's uniquely "you."
Adventure through Lumiose City in style
In Lumiose City, a hub for the latest fashions, you can change up your outfit and look so you can set out for adventure in a style that suits you.
You can make changes to your character's lip color, eyelashes, and more to look the way you want to look. You can also change your hairstyle, hair color, eyebrows, and more at salons. In addition to solid colors, you can customize your hair color with color blocking and balayage.
There is also a variety of garments, including tops, bottoms, hats, and more. You can purchase a wide selection of clothing items at boutiques to expand your outfit options. Enjoy your adventure in your favorite styles!
And there's more! Furfrou, a Pokémon with distinctive long fur, can be trimmed into a variety of fashionable styles at a specialty shop. By practicing these cuts enough times, the Scyther at the shop will learn how to trim more difficult styles.
Use your camera to capture memories from your adventure
Use your camera to record lots of moments from your adventures with Pokémon. Your Rotom Phone can take photos for you even in wild zones or battle zones. And at benches, you can take photos with up to six Pokémon from your team.
8. Making the Most of Your Adventure
Team up with Pokémon
Adventure through Lumiose freely and encounter lots of Pokémon. As part of Lumiose's urban redevelopment plan, driven by Quasartico Inc., the city has been outfitted with "wild zones" in an effort to help humans and Pokémon share the city. Wild Pokémon live in these areas, and you can catch them by aiming and throwing a Poké Ball at them.
Some Pokémon will flee immediately if they spot you, so hide out of sight or approach from behind to make yourself harder to notice. You can also battle Pokémon to lower their HP, making them easier to catch. When a Pokémon's HP has been reduced to zero, they'll enter a brief "catch window" phase, during which they'll be even easier to catch. You have just one opportunity to try to catch a Pokémon within its catch window.
Complete the Pokédex
Pokémon data will be registered to the Pokédex app on your Rotom Phone when you catch, evolve, or trade Pokémon. The Pokédex app lets you check out the movements, cries, habitats, and other details of Pokémon you've registered. Befriend lots of Pokémon and complete your Pokédex!
Enjoy new battles with Pokémon and Trainers
A Pokémon series first: Pokémon and Trainers act in real time during battle!
Unlike previous titles in the Pokémon video game series, where Pokémon took action once per turn, Trainers and their Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A move in real time during battles, and Pokémon unleash moves when their Trainers command them to.
In addition to the timing of choosing moves and swapping out Pokémon, there will be new gameplay mechanics to consider, such as how long moves will take to launch and how big an area the moves will impact. This unprecedented style of Pokémon battling is one of the most thrilling parts of this title.
Type matchups
Pokémon and their moves all have types. Certain types may be more effective or less effective against other types. You can deal more damage to opposing Pokémon if you use a move with an advantageous type.
Head to the Pokémon Center
At Pokémon Centers, you can heal Pokémon that are exhausted from battle, as well as shop for items useful to Pokémon Trainers.
Train your Pokémon
When you defeat a Pokémon in battle, your Pokémon will gain Experience Points (Exp. Points) and become stronger. When they gain a lot of Exp. Points, your Pokémon will level up, causing their stats to grow. By leveling up, your Pokémon may also learn new moves or become able to evolve and adopt a new appearance. Some Pokémon evolve not by leveling up but rather through more surprising methods, so try all kinds of strategies when it comes to training your Pokémon.
9. Physical Version Preorders Begin Soon! Also Introducing Early-Purchase Bonuses!
Preorders for the physical version of Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition begin soon at participating retailers!
Receive a Ralts holding a Gardevoirite stone as an early-purchase bonus!
Raise it and Mega Evolve it into Mega Gardevoir to unleash its potential!
You can receive this Ralts in the physical version of Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition by choosing Get via Internet in the Mystery Gift feature in your game until Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Ralts
Category: Feeling Pokémon
Type: Psychic/Fairy
Height: 1'4" (0.4 m)
Weight: 14.6 lbs. (6.6 kg)
Mega Stone: Gardevoirite
A Gardevoir holding this item will be able to Mega Evolve.
Mega Gardevoir
Category: Embrace Pokémon
Type: Psychic/Fairy
Height: 5'3" (1.6 m)
Weight: 106.7 lbs. (48.4 kg)
It Opens the Plate on Its Chest to Release Its Psychic Power!
Mega Gardevoir's whole body shines white as it releases its psychic power through the opened plate on its chest. This plate is said to be a manifestation of Gardevoir's heart. By unleashing its heart, Gardevoir becomes capable of releasing incredible psychic power.
Through training, Ralts can evolve into Kirlia and then Gardevoir.
If you have Gardevoir hold a Gardevoirite stone, it can Mega Evolve.
An internet connection is required to receive this early-purchase bonus.
To connect to the internet, your user profile must be linked to a Nintendo Account. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required to receive these items.
It takes approximately one hour of play time before you are able to access the Mystery Gift feature.
This Ralts holding a Gardevoirite stone can be received in either the physical version or the digital version.
A Gardevoirite stone can also be obtained through regular gameplay.
It is possible to have no more than one of each kind of Mega Stone.
If one of your Pokémon is already holding a Gardevoirite stone, the Ralts you receive will not be holding an item.