Some fans are coming up with a wild theory about Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s traditional rival character, one that might tie back to the game’s predecessor. Nintendo showed off more of the upcoming Pokemon Legends: Z-A during the recent Pokemon Presents livestream, giving eager gamers a look at its selection of starter Pokemon, futuristic Lumiose City setting, and some of the other characters that will be encountered when the game launches on the Nintendo Switch later this year.
As is the norm with most Pokemon games, Pokemon Legends: Z-A will feature a rival character who will serve as a foil for the player throughout their journey. In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, gamers can face off against the male Urbain or female Taunie depending on the gender they choose for their own character, though some wish they could simply pick which rival to oppose at the start of the game.
Pokemon Legends Z-A Has Several Potential Successors To Legends Arceus' Unown
Several Kalos Pokemon could be the subject of large collection quests in Pokemon Legends Z-A, similar to Legends Arceus's Unown.
The designs for both Pokemon Legends: Z-A rival options are fairly similar, and one shared detail has some players questioning the origin of this new opponent. As pointed out by Reddit user AMC_Moonman on r/pokemon, both Urbain and Taunie have white hair with pink highlights on the ends, just like the Hisuian Zoroark that made its debut in Pokemon Legends: Arceus back in 2022. As such, they think that this seemingly human rival might in fact be a Zoroark in disguise.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Fans Think the Game’s Rival is a Hisuian Zoroak
Pokemon using their abilities to take the form of humans isn’t unheard of, and Hisuian Zoroak does share its Unova counterpart’s illusion powers. In fact, the Pokemon Adventures manga saw a Zorua (Zoroak’s previous evolution) use its own Illusion ability to pose as a human on occasion. Why a Hisuian Zoroak would choose to disguise itself as the player’s rival in Pokemon Legends Z-A is a mystery in itself, one that would presumably unravel throughout the game’s story if this theory is indeed correct.
Players will have to wait until Pokemon Legends: Z-A is released later this year to know the full story behind Urbain/Taunie, whether they are the human they appear to be in the recent Pokemon Legends: Z-A trailer or actually a Pokemon in disguise. The game’s exact release date is yet another secret being kept under wraps at this point, but Nintendo is telling fans to look forward to exploring Lumiose City towards the end of 2025.
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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
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
