Legendary Pokémon Z-A: 5 Minutes of Video Detailing Gameplay, Mega Evolutions, and Real-Time Combat

The Pokémon Company had several announcements during this Pokémon Presents event, but one Pokémon game that is likely to receive significant public attention is Legendary Pokémon Z-A, a major new installment in the series. Scheduled for release in late 2025 on Nintendo Switch, the game takes place in Illumis, a city inspired by Haussmannian architecture and the cobblestone streets of Paris. Drawing inspiration from the French capital for this alternative setting comes as no surprise. Players will be able to hunt Pokémon within the city environment, still using Poké Balls. This episode also marks the return of Mega-Evolution, as illustrated in the promotional video. In terms of gameplay, a revamped combat system is highlighted, with battles shifting from turn-based to real-time. Players can activate Pokémon abilities upon receiving orders during battle. These new mechanics encourage strategic decision-making regarding the optimal moment to switch Pokémon or use an ability, as well as managing the timing and area of effect for these actions.

Visually, Game Freak has maintained the same engine and has not upgraded its assets, which appears subpar even for the Nintendo Switch platform, particularly when compared to Xenoblade Chronicles X, which is set to release in a few weeks.