The release date for Pokemon Legends: Z-A is drawing closer, and as time passes, more information about the next installment in the Pokemon series is being brought to light. Pokemon Legends: Z-A is set to launch this fall, and with a fresh sneak peek recently released, fans of the beloved franchise have even more to look forward to.
Another trailer hit the internet a few hours ago, and with it, a glimpse at some exciting features, like Mega Dragonite and pre-order bonuses. With each trailer comes fresh insight, but one character that is seemingly missing from the game raises concerns. Professor Sycamore is nowhere to be seen, and as new trailers continue to ignore him, it makes one wonder if he's in the game at all. Returning X and Y characters like Emma and Mable would lead one to assume that Professor Sycamore is also part of the cast, but his potential role in the story remains a huge mystery.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Mega Dragonite Takes a Long-Standing Design Criticism in the Wrong Direction
After plenty of speculation among fans, Pokemon Legends: Z-A players now know what Mega Dragonite looks like, and it doesn't meet one expectation.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Has Left Professor Sycamore Shrouded in Darkness
Z-A's New Professor is a Surprising Choice
Mable is now the director of the Pokemon Research Lab and the main Professor in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Considering that she was part of the antagonistic group Team Flare in X and Y, it's surprising to see her in the role of a Professor. Throughout the game, players can help aid in Mable's research, which will reward them with special items. Now that Mable seems to have had a change of heart since her time with Team Flare, it will be interesting to see what Pokemon Legends: Z-A's new villain has in store.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be confined entirely to Lumiose City.
Where is Professor Sycamore?
This is one of the biggest questions at the moment, and right now, there's no telling if an answer will be given, at least any time soon. Of course, surprises are good, but the potential of not seeing Professor Sycamore again is surprising. There are a few possibilities, like being fired as Professor, simply stepping down from his role, or worse.
Team Flare's ultimate goal was to create a better world, but their methods were sinister. The team's leader, Lysandre, sought to destroy most of the human population in order to build up his own version of society while also kicking anyone out who didn't meet his standards. Lysandre failed to achieve this goal and is presumably dead, which led to Team Flare disbanding. It's possible Mable may have taken up his work in some other way, kicking Professor Sycamore to the curb. This may be reading too hard into Mable's new role, but it's not the craziest theory. Pokemon Legends: Z-A has teased some exciting moments, but only time will tell if a dark twist is part of that.
Mable seems to have had a change of heart since her time with Team Flare.
The Wait for Pokemon Legends: Z-A is Almost Over
- Pokemon Legends: Z-A will be released on October 16, 2025.
- The game will be available for both the Switch and Switch 2.
The hype surrounding Pokemon Legends: Z-A is continuing to bubble up, and once the game finally launches, it will be interesting to see if Professor Sycamore plays a role in the story. Not having his helpful and eccentric personality in Lumiose City would be disappointing, and if he's absent, there is hopefully a good reason for the omission.
Of course, there is always the chance that Professor Sycamore is being saved for a surprise reveal, but this remains to be seen. Unfortunately, those wishing for confirmation of Professor Sycamore's presence will have to wait a little while longer, but until then, it's compelling to theorize what has led Mable to switch up her allegiances.
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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
