Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Starters Hint at Unlikely Johto Return

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Instead of eagerly waiting for the next mainline Pokemon series installment, which is likely still a ways off as Gen 10, fans will get a taste of something new this year with Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Initially perceived as a spinoff similar to Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Legends: Z-A boasts several intriguing features. A revamped Lumiose City and distinct areas teeming with various creatures to catch are just the beginning. The return of Mega Evolutions, an improved combat system featuring dodge animations, and a trio of starters causing controversy due to the inclusion of two Gen 2 Pokemon add up to make this game quite enticing.

In other words, since Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s predecessors had starters from different generations like Gen 2, Gen 5, and Gen 7, it made sense to assume that the new game would feature starters from three distinct generations for variety. However, the upcoming title seems to include Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile, with Chikorita and Totodile being from Johto. This might be a bit disappointing for fans who were hoping for Gen 5 remakes after Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. It’s even more disheartening for those who had been eagerly waiting for a return to Johto and Gen 2 games, as the inclusion of Cyndaquil in PLA and both Chikorita and Totodile in PLZA could suggest that the long-rumored title is indeed this one.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A May Single-Handedly Shut Down Johto Game Rumors

Given that Pokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon Let’s Go, Eevee! marked a non-mainline return to Kanto and it has been quite some time since Johto last saw a new game release, it was only logical to anticipate the launch of new Johto Pokemon games in the near future. This expectation was amplified by passionate fan demands and whispers of upcoming Gen 2 games, but that could all change with Pokemon Legends: Z-A.

It’s possible that The Pokemon Company is considering a comeback to the Johto region somehow, but featuring all three starters from Gen 2 in both the Indigo Disk DLC of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and then again in both Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Legends: Zacian and Zamazenta might be too much for one region. It could become repetitive to see these starters in multiple games consecutively, which could potentially make a new Johto game less appealing at first glance if all three are present from the start.

The starters from Generation 2, which are usually important factors in a game’s success, being available in Generation 9 and two Legends games might lessen the excitement for this new title, as players might not be as thrilled about their initial companions if they’ve already encountered them. This suggests that the highly anticipated return to Johto might need to be postponed, unless it takes a different form.

Why a Return to Gen 2’s Johto is Not Off The Table

Under certain conditions, there’s a possibility that going back to Johto might become intriguing after generations 9, PLA, and PLZA, and it could potentially be the next installment in the Legends series. However, this is likely a few years down the line or may not happen at all. This potential move could revitalize the franchise by offering a compelling reason to revisit Johto, and perhaps using Generation 2 starters in unique ways, such as Pokemon species that are “regional fakes” from Generation 9, featuring similar characteristics but distinct from the original Gen 2 starters. This could provide an innovative twist for remakes of Generation 2 games, though for now, fans can only speculate.

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2025-03-08 22:24