Pokémon Legends Z-A Unveils Mega Malamar for Nintendo Switch: Release Date, Features, and New Trailer

Pokémon Legends Z-A, the highly anticipated entry in the Pokémon franchise from The Pokémon Company International, has drawn fresh excitement with the official reveal of Mega Malamar.

Announced in a new promotional trailer titled 'My Friend Malamar', this Mega Evolution marks a notable addition to the game’s expanding roster of powerful Pokémon.

The trailer, crafted as a clever faux news bulletin, highlighted a surge in Malamar’s popularity following this transformation. According to an official statement from The Pokémon Company International, Mega Malamar's evolutionary form features an enhanced brain as a direct result of Mega Evolution.

This advancement generates significantly increased psychic power, which radiates as a brilliant glow from its body.

The emitted, vivid light is more than just a visual effect—it strengthens Mega Malamar’s hypnotic abilities.

As detailed by the company, this enables Mega Malamar to overwrite personalities and even erase or alter memories, granting it formidable powers of manipulation. Further explaining the Pokémon’s behavior and battle style, The Pokémon Company shared that Mega Malamar’s glowing, undulating tendrils interpret the emotions of those nearby.

When challenged in battle, Mega Malamar utilizes its formidable intellect to carefully assess each situation, preferring to fight with calculated efficiency and poise.

Notably, the press release described Mega Malamar as seeing others—including Pokémon Trainers—as pawns.

If it disagrees with its Trainer's commands, Mega Malamar may retaliate by hypnotizing the Trainer, making it a complex and unpredictable ally. Pokémon Legends Z-A sets its adventure in the vibrant Lumiose City, which is undergoing an urban redevelopment initiative to create a harmonious environment where people and Pokémon coexist.

Players will have the option to choose from Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile as their starting partner Pokémon, a nod to longstanding fan-favorite regions and eras. Mark your calendars: Pokémon Legends Z-A is scheduled to launch both at retail and digitally via the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 platforms worldwide on October 16, 2025.

Pre-orders are now available through the My Nintendo Store, which is also offering exclusive physical pre-order bonuses.

This upcoming release aims to set a new benchmark for the series, leveraging the capabilities of Nintendo’s current and next-generation hardware to deliver an innovative Pokémon experience. With Mega Malamar and a fresh take on the classic Pokémon journey, Pokémon Legends Z-A is poised to become one of the key highlights of the 2025 Nintendo Switch lineup.

For more news, trailers, and insights on Pokémon Legends Z-A and other Nintendo Switch games, stay tuned to upcoming Nintendo Direct presentations and official updates from The Pokémon Company International.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pokémon Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Pokémon Legends Z-A Z Malamar Mega Malamar The Pokémon Company International Lumiose City Chikorita Tepig Totodile My Nintendo Store