The most recent Pokemon Presents event has revealed a few new pieces of information regarding Pokemon Legends: Z-A, introducing a couple of new characters who fans think may be related to some familiar faces from the original Gen 6 titles. Set in Lumiose City, presumably over a decade after the events of the Pokemon X and Y games, Pokemon Legends: Z-A had previously been confirmed to include certain fan-favorite characters from the Gen 6 games, including Emma as well as the immortal AZ.
Previous trailers for Pokemon Legends: Z-A had already introduced several new characters that will play a major role in the game's story, though some fans have been hoping to see more familiar Gen 6 characters make a return in the upcoming title. The latest Pokemon Presents livestream gave fans quite a bit to chew on, including a new trailer for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, which introduced a few new characters along with the official unveiling of Mega Dragonite.
Pokemon Fans Have Some Interesting Theories About the Legends: Z-A Protagonists
This year's Pokemon Presents gives fans a good look at Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and many already have tons of theories regarding the protagonists.
Although Legends Z-A is set in the modern-day Kalos region, unlike Pokemon Legends: Arceus, the upcoming title seems to be taking a page out of its predecessor's book by having some of its newly introduced characters related to those that fans have seen before. The latest trailer for the game shows off Lida and Naveen, two new characters that players will befriend on their adventures around the new and improved Lumiose City. As plenty of fans have pointed out online, including Reddit user Vacino_21, it appears that Lida is somehow related to Tierno from the Pokemon X and Y games, as both of these characters share some giveaway traits in their appearance, along with a passion for dancing.
Lida May Not Be The Only New Legends: Z-A Character Who's Connected to Other Gen 6 Faces
While some might think that connecting these two based on such loose characteristics is a stretch, recent Pokemon games have made an effort to relate new characters to existing ones in-universe - particularly Pokemon Legends: Arceus, which introduced a wide variety of new "ancestor" characters. Such characters are rarely explicitly stated to be ancestors to others, and it's instead left for players to make these connections themselves based on some rather on-the-nose similarities in appearance. Still, it's unclear how exactly Tierno and Lida might be related, though it seems most likely that they're siblings given the circumstances.
Another character introduced in the latest Pokemon Legends: Z-A trailer, Naveen, also appears to be related to Grant - the Cyllage City gym leader from Pokemon X and Y - at a glance, based on some similarities in appearance, particularly when it comes to hairstyle. This new trailer also reveals that another character from Pokemon X and Y will be making a return in Legends: Z-A, although they're not quite as memorable to most. Mable, a Team Flare scientist and antagonist from the Gen 6 games, will be returning as the acting director of the Lumiose City Pokemon Lab, apparently in place of the fan-favorite Professor Sycamore.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- October 16, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
WHERE TO PLAY
LIVE THE LIFE OF A POKÉMON TRAINER IN THE STREETS OF LUMIOSE CITY
Whether you’re a die-hard Pokémon fan or about to toss your first Poké Ball, the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game has plenty to offer for Trainers of all types. Experience classic gameplay with modern twists that are sure to revolutionize your Pokémon RPG experience.
CATCH, BATTLE, AND MEGA-EVOLVE—ALL IN REAL TIME!
Step onto the battlefield and command your Pokémon directly—there are no turns! For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, Trainers and their Pokémon can both move around in real-time battles, and your Pokémon will unleash their moves when you tell them to. Strategically swapping out your Pokémon and accounting for each move’s timing and area of effect will greatly help you in this new style of battle.
HARNESS THE POWER OF MEGA EVOLUTION
When Trainers have a strong bond with their Pokémon, a Key Stone worn by the Trainer resonates with a Mega Stone held by their Pokémon, allowing Mega Evolution to take place.
ROGUE MEGA EVOLUTION
Rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon are threatening Lumiose City. These Pokémon are extra tough to beat, but if you do manage to defeat them, you'll receive valuable Mega Stones as a reward.
RISE THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE Z-A ROYALE
You’re invited to join the Z-A Royale, a competition for Pokémon Trainers to test their skills and determine who’s strongest.
Each night, a battle zone for the competition will appear. Prepare yourself by spending the day in wild zones, catching and training Pokémon, then venture into the battle zone and take on other Trainers.
Be strategic and complete bonus card challenges as you battle to speed up your climb from Rank Z to Rank A. Can you climb the ranks and reach the top?
WELCOME TO LUMIOSE CITY
Visit shops, restaurants, and more, all centered around Prism Tower. An urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon.
BATTLE WITH TRAINERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
With a Nintendo Switch Online membership*, you can battle up to three other Trainers at once, locally or online, in frenetic real-time battles!
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
