Pokémon Legends: Z-A Announced for Nintendo Switch—Kalos Returns in 2025

On February 27, Pokémon fans around the globe celebrated the 28th anniversary of the launch of Pokémon Red & Green in Japan—an annual event now widely recognized as Pokémon Day.

As part of this tradition, The Pokémon Company held a highly anticipated Pokémon Presents showcase.

The presentation delivered a major announcement: the reveal of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, a brand new addition to the Pokémon Legends series, currently in development for the Nintendo Switch.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A will see players return to the Kalos region, a setting not revisited since the original Pokémon X & Y games were released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2013.

Many fans tuning into the announcement were expecting a return to other classic regions such as Johto or Unova, given the playful hints at the start of the broadcast.

However, the introduction of Unown characters with Pikachu took an unexpected turn as the trailer revealed the cosmopolitan cityscapes of Kalos—most notably Lumiose City.

Longtime fans were delighted to glimpse familiar Pokémon like Furfrou, who has not featured prominently in recent entries. Set for release in 2025, Pokémon Legends: Z-A represents a notable expansion for the series and a return to one of Pokémon’s most dynamic regions.

According to Nintendo of America, the upcoming adventure will be set entirely within Lumiose City, one of the most iconic urban centers in the Pokémon universe.

While detailed specifics about the plot have not yet been disclosed, the reveal trailer indicated that the narrative will closely follow an urban redevelopment project within the city.

The visual presentation suggested a sleek, Tron-like design aesthetic, hinting at modern or even digital influences at play within the storyline. Another significant highlight at the close of the trailer was the confirmation that Mega Evolution—a beloved gameplay element first introduced in Pokémon X & Y—will play a role in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

The return of Mega Evolution is particularly noteworthy for long-term fans, as it opens the door for potentially new Mega Evolved forms of classic Pokémon.

Game Freak, the developer behind the series, has continued to innovate on classic gameplay features, and this announcement underscores its commitment to evolving the franchise for both new and returning players.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is set to join the Nintendo Switch lineup in 2025, following on the commercial and critical success of previous Legends entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Available via the Nintendo eShop upon launch, it promises a fresh take on exploration and narrative within a focused, urban setting.

As development progresses, more details will be shared via future Nintendo Direct and Pokémon Direct presentations, ensuring fans remain updated on the eagerly awaited return to Kalos. Stay tuned for further updates on Pokémon Legends: Z-A, including additional gameplay information, release timelines, and insights from The Pokémon Company as Pokémon celebrates over 28 years of innovative gaming experiences.

Pokémon Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Pokémon Legends: Z-A Pokémon Legends Z-A Game Freak The Pokémon Company Kalos Lumiose City Mega Evolution Pokémon X & Y