Summary

  • Game Freak faced a data breach revealing Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Gen 10 info.
  • Leaks suggest Gen 6 starters Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie may return in Pokemon Legends: Z-A as starters, maybe with new forms/Megas.
  • Fans express disappointment at the possibility of using Gen 6 starters in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, breaking from previous trends.

Game Freak was recently the target of a massive data breach that consisted of over one Tera of files, thus gaining the name "Teraleak" online, including information about Pokemon Legends: Z-A and Gen 10. The hacker responsible for this released a lot of Pokemon files and documents online, which are currently being shared on social media by leak aggregators such as Centro Leaks. The leaks include everything from Pokemon concept art revealing Mimikyu's true form to written lore regarding the origins of the games' universe - most of which was never supposed to see the light of day. Among the various leaks is an image for the Pokemon World Championship in 2025, and it features three starters that may very well be those of Pokemon Legends: Z-A.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is going to be the next big release for the series, allegedly coming for both the regular Nintendo Switch and its all-but-confirmed successor, temporarily dubbed Nintendo Switch 2 online. Considering that the title bears the same name as Pokemon Legends: Arceus, it's safe to assume that they will share a few themes and make this a regular series of games. As such, the starters of the new game are one of the biggest things that fans want to know, but they may be quite obvious.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Starter Leaks Explained

Why Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Starters Could Be Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie

The leaked picture, which fans can check here, features several critters going to the Pokemon World Championship in Anaheim, California, in 2025. Some of these Pokemon are more recognizable than others, especially the three starters from Gen 6 games Pokemon X and Y: Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie. Normally, promotional images for the Pokemon World Championship feature some of the latest Pokemon that appeared in the most recent games, so for the 2025 Championship to have Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie there, it doesn't seem like a coincidence at all.

After all, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is coming in 2025 unless major shifts happen, and it's likely that it will hit the stores within the first half of the year. Given that the Gen 6 starters never got Mega Evolutions or new forms, it wouldn't be a stretch to think that they will indeed be the starters in the Kalos-set Pokemon Legends: Z-A. The game will feature Megas, and the Teraleak even revealed that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will have new Mega Evolutions for Zygarde and Zeraora, so having the Gen 6 starters return and get new forms and/or Mega Evolutions would make a lot of sense.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Would Be Shooting Itself in The Foot With Gen 6 Starters

Ever since this piece of information was revealed, a lot of fans showed disappointment at the idea of having to play with the same starters as Gen 6, even if they happen to have new forms. This would also break away from the trend started by Pokemon Legends: Arceus, which instead featured first-partner Pokemon from three different regions, giving each of them a Hisuian regional form, and then also making the original Gen 4 starters available to catch. What follows is that one would expect Pokemon Legends: Z-A to have new starters compared to Gen 6.

This could still very well be the case, with the image not being necessarily a representation of the starters from Gen 6 precisely because they will be found in this new version of Kalos and also get some love in the form of new Mega Evolutions, for example. If not, however, having Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie as the starters could disappoint a lot of players, causing mass backlash over this decision. It remains to be seen how exactly this will pan out, and things may still change since Game Freak is considering delaying Pokemon Legends: Z-A's release date after the Teraleak.

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Pokemon Legends: Z-A
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RPG
Adventure
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Systems
super greyscale 8-bit logo
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Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
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Released
October 16, 2025
ESRB
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
Developer(s)
Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
Publisher(s)
Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

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
Genre(s)
RPG, Adventure