Pokémon Legends Z-A: Leaked Development Details Reveal Johto Origins and Scrapped Features

In recent days, the Pokémon community has been abuzz with an influx of reliable leaks, notably from the so-called “Teraleak,” that shed light on the development path behind Pokémon Legends Z-A.

Developed by Game Freak and set for release on the Nintendo Switch, Pokémon Legends Z-A has quickly become one of the most talked-about titles in the franchise’s modern era.

According to verified sources, the game was originally envisioned as a follow-up to the successful Pokémon Legends: Arceus, with early design concepts pointing to a dramatically different setting and structure. Early in its development, Game Freak considered setting Pokémon Legends Z-A in the Johto region.

This would have followed the trend of exploring deep lore and origins, similar to the Sinnoh-based Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

However, the project’s trajectory shifted, and the final product now features the Kalos region as its backdrop.

While the reason for this regional change remains officially unconfirmed, documentation from internal sources validates this major alteration in direction. Perhaps the most intriguing revelation is that Pokémon Legends Z-A was once planned as two separate games, tentatively titled Pokémon Legends: Ho-Oh and Pokémon Legends: Lugia, aiming for a 2024 release on the Nintendo Switch.

Both versions would have taken place before the existence of Pokémon Trainers, focusing on the origins of Trainer culture.

Central to the abandoned concept was a protagonist who travels through time, commands Pokémon, and revives three legendary creatures.

The Burned Tower, a landmark from Johto lore, was designed as an imposing nine-story structure, closely mirroring the legendary Bell Tower from previous games.

According to a reliable translation of the leaks, this period piece would have explored untold stories from the Pokémon universe’s early days. Outside of setting and narrative, the development history of Pokémon Legends Z-A is dotted with ambitious features that ultimately did not make the final cut.

Among the most notable was a new PokéRide system, which allowed players to use Lucario to leap dynamically across rooftops.

Additional options for Pokémon riding were also prototyped, hinting at a more traversal-focused experience than seen in previous Pokémon titles.

Verified screenshots from the game's beta confirm these features, as initially reported by the trusted Centro LEAKS channel on social media. Further digging revealed that early builds of Pokémon Legends Z-A contained experimental gameplay modes not typical for the series, including a shooter-inspired mechanic and a multiplayer mode reminiscent of Splatoon’s 4v4 battles.

While these elements were ultimately scrapped, their existence underscores Game Freak’s willingness to innovate and expand the core Pokémon experience beyond traditional RPG boundaries. Pokémon Legends Z-A continues to generate significant anticipation ahead of its official launch on Nintendo Switch.

Recent sales milestones from the Pokémon franchise illustrate an ever-increasing appetite for fresh takes on its beloved world, making every verified detail from Game Freak’s development process a point of interest for fans and industry insiders alike.

As always, players can look forward to official updates via upcoming Nintendo Direct presentations and the Pokémon eShop.

Pokémon Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Pokémon Legends Z-A Johto Z Pokémon Legends Game Freak Kalos Ho-Oh Lugia Pokémon Trainers Burned Tower Bell Tower Lucario Centro LEAKS