Summary
- New information from the massive Game Freak leak is now confirming the existence of a scrapped Pokemon Z game once in development.
- The leak reveals that legendary Pokemon Zygarde was likely a focus of the game, intended to receive multiple new forms in the Z version.
- Zygarde would later receive its new forms in Pokemon Sun and Moon and has been heavily speculated to be the main Legendary of the upcoming Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
A new update from the massive Game Freak leak has confirmed the existence of the long-rumored Pokemon Z, an enhanced third entry in Pokemon's sixth generation. Throughout the more than 25 years since the franchise first took the world by storm, Pokemon has built up a massive library of games between its main series and numerous spinoffs. Game Freak and The Pokemon Company have released more than 25 main-series entries in the franchise, alongside several remakes of older games. Now, a new leak has reportedly confirmed one of the franchise's biggest rumors.
For much of the Pokemon franchise's life, the "third games" were a staple of each new round of Pokemon games. Each generation would typically feature an enhanced remake, like Pokemon Crystal and Pokemon Emerald, alongside its two main games, typically adding more story content and challenges. The enhanced versions also saw the focus placed on a different Legendary Pokemon, like Rayquaza, Giratina, and Kyurem among others. However, one generation's lack of a sixth generation game is now the subject of a new leak.
Pokemon X and Y Leaks Explained
A huge amount of information has been revealed about Pokemon X and Y by the massive wave of leaks that recently hit Game Freak.
Game Freak Leak Confirmed Scrapped Pokemon Z Version
A new leak shared by prominent Pokemon leak account Centro LEAKS is now revealing the existence of a scrapped Pokemon Z. According to the leak, the reference to Pokemon X and Y's third version comes from a design document related to new Kalos Legendary Pokemon Zygarde. The design document reveals that Zygarde was originally meant to receive additional in-game forms in a "Z" version that was in development from Game Freak. Zygarde is available as a post-game Legendary in Pokemon X and Y and later received new forms in Pokemon Sun and Moon.
The revelation of a scrapped Pokemon Z comes as fans have always speculated that a third version of X and Y may have been planned. Pokemon X and Y served as the only main-series generation of games to not receive its own third version, before the franchise switched to a DLC-based model for the Switch entries. Zygarde's multiple forms also previously led fans to speculate that Zygarde may have been intended to play a larger role in the games. Neither Game Freak nor the Pokemon Company have ever directly confirmed the development or cancellation of Pokemon Z.
While Pokemon Z never saw the light of day, the concept of the game may have been an inspiration for Pokemon's most recent major announcement. Game Freak and The Pokemon Company officially announced Pokemon Legends: Z-A earlier this year, as a follow-up to Pokemon Legends: Arceus set in the Kalos region. Pokemon Legends: Z-A has been confirmed to see Mega Evolutions returning, with its title leading to rampant speculation that the game may center around Zygarde as its main Legendary. Pokemon Legends: Z-A will look to fill the shoes of the scrapped Pokemon Z when it launches next year.
Pokemon X and Y
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 86 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
- Released
- October 12, 2023
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
WHERE TO PLAY
THE NEXT EVOLUTION IN POKEMON!
- New Pokémon! Explosive 3D battles!
- Explore a majestic new region!
- New Features: Pokémon-Amie and Super Training!
- Connect instantly with players all over the world!
