Pokemon Legends Z-A Hands-On Preview: A Mega Evolution for the Franchise

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Pokemon Legends Z-A is a significant release for the Pokemon series. It’s the first game launching on the Nintendo Switch 2, demonstrating the console’s improved graphics and performance. The game also features a new battle system that hints at a more dynamic and engaging style of combat for future Pokemon titles.

Pokémon games are usually popular, but *Legends Z-A* is going above and beyond to create a truly thrilling new experience. Having played a demo of the game, it’s clear why fans have a lot to look forward to.

Pokemon Legends Z-A Has Three Main Gameplay Pillars

Like previous previews of *Pokemon Legends Z-A*, this gameplay demo highlighted the game’s three core features. Wild Zones let players train their Pokemon, practice battling, and gather items. Battle Zones are nighttime areas where you can challenge other trainers and climb the ranks, starting at Z and aiming for A. Finally, powerful, unique Mega Evolved Pokemon serve as challenging boss battles to test your skills.

I recently had a chance to play *Pokemon Legends Z-A* at a special event held at the Eiffel Tower in Paris – a landmark that inspired the game’s Lumiose City and Prism Tower. I was really impressed with the hands-on experience, especially how lively and engaging the battle system feels. I also found the story snippets very intriguing. This new installment feels like a fresh take on the classic *Pokemon* formula, building on 30 years of established ideas with some exciting changes.

Wild Zones Allows Players To Explore While Also Testing Out The Battle System

The Wild Zones in *Pokemon Legends Z-A* are designed to feel comfortable for longtime fans. These areas have suggested player levels and let you explore parts of Lumiose City while finding Pokemon in the wild. Although the preview didn’t show Pokemon catching in these zones, players were able to try out the updated battle system.

As we highlighted in our early look at *Pokémon Worlds*, *Legends Z-A* features a much more engaging battle system. Trainers are free to move around the battlefield, and their Pokémon will adjust their positions accordingly. This movement lets you strategically help your Pokémon dodge attacks or get into better positions for powerful rear attacks. While sometimes it’s simply about being able to move, this ability becomes essential when battling tougher opponents.

During a Pokémon battle, you can quickly switch between Pokémon using the D-Pad to exploit your opponent’s weaknesses. Keep in mind there’s a short wait after switching before your Pokémon can attack. If your Pokémon need healing or are affected by status conditions like poison, you can access your Satchel to use items.

As a longtime Pokémon fan, I was a little worried about the new battle system, but honestly, it feels really familiar! You still pick your moves using the buttons – choosing to attack, weaken your opponent, or boost your own Pokémon. Really, besides seeing the Pokémon and trainers move around a bit more, it’s still all about selecting a move and watching it happen in real-time, which is exactly what I’m used to and love!

The Wild Zone preview mainly showed off the new battle system. But we also encountered some tougher Pokémon that demanded more careful planning, giving us a taste of the challenges in the later stages of *Legends Z-A*. A roaming Houndoom, for instance, really tested my team, requiring me to think about positioning and Pokémon types in a way the weaker Houndour nearby didn’t. While luck still plays a role in the harder battles, it felt like I had more chances to strategically benefit my Pokémon.

If you’re battling several wild Pokemon simultaneously, you can strategically position yourself to strike them all with just one move.

Pokemon Legends Z-A’s Battle Zone Pits Players Against Other Trainers

Okay, so the Battle Zone is totally different. Instead of battling random Pokemon in the wild, you’re fighting other Trainers. Basically, you challenge them, win, and get points. Once you have enough points, you get to battle for a rank up! It’s a pretty simple cycle: find a Trainer, battle, win, repeat. But unlike the Wild Zones where you might face single Pokemon, here you’re usually up against a whole *team*. That means you really need to think about switching your Pokemon strategically to exploit weaknesses and make sure you’re using the right types. It’s all about team composition and knowing your matchups!

In Pokemon Legends Z-A, you can strategically sneak up on wild Pokemon belonging to trainers. Getting close enough without being noticed lets your Pokemon attack first, giving you an advantage – and sometimes even defeating them in a single hit! However, most encounters still involve simply approaching a trainer and initiating a standard battle.

In Pokemon battles within designated ‘Battle Zones,’ where you stand is crucial, letting you dodge attacks completely. Unlike older Pokemon games where attacks sometimes missed based on hidden stats, Pokemon Legends Z-A lets you actively avoid attacks by carefully positioning your Pokemon. This adds a new layer of control and makes battles even more engaging.

Pokemon Legends Z-A will challenge you to try new strategies with different Objectives. For example, you might need to defeat a Pokemon with a single hit using a Flying-type Pokemon, or use a Normal-type move while surprising a Trainer. These objectives won’t drastically alter the core competitive gameplay, but they’ll push you to vary your tactics in each battle, and completing them will earn you better rewards.

Once you’ve earned enough points in the Battle Zone, you’ll move on to a rank-up battle. These battles are more challenging, so it’s important to carefully consider your Pokémon’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as where they are positioned. The goal remains the same – defeat the opposing Trainer’s team to win, but with bigger rewards on the line.

The test focused on completing the entire ranking process, including winning the final match, so it was quite easy. It’s still unknown what happens if you lose a rank-up match, or how difficult those matches could become. We assume you’d either start the process over from the beginning – going back to the Wild Zone, then the Battle Zone, and finally another rank-up match – or that you might be able to restart immediately after losing.

Rogue Mega Evolved Pokemon Battles Are Legends Z-A’s Most Challenging Gameplay Pillar

Pokemon Legends Z-A appears to feature challenging battles against powerful, unpredictable ‘Rogue’ Mega Evolved Pokemon. During a preview at the Pokemon World Championships, we battled a Rogue Mega Victreebel, which was different from previous encounters because we were able to use a full team of Pokemon instead of just one.

During battles, you weaken the Rogue Mega Pokemon by attacking it, which causes it to lose Mega Energy. Collecting this Mega Energy fills a meter on the screen. Once full, you can Mega Evolve compatible Pokemon. Alternatively, you can use a smaller amount of Mega Energy to boost the power of certain Pokemon moves and abilities.

In these battles with the powerful Rogue Mega Pokemon, where you’re positioned in the arena was crucial. Victreebel sometimes used a powerful attack that covered the whole area in sludge, and both the Trainer and Pokemon had to carefully move to avoid getting hit. It was a tricky balancing act – constantly repositioning your Pokemon for safety while also dodging attacks yourself.

Your trainer can faint in any fight where they can take damage, forcing a restart of the encounter.

The most exciting part of Pokémon Legends Z-A appears to be battles against powerful, Mega Evolved Pokémon. These encounters were definitely the standout feature in the preview, bringing together everything you learn about the Wild and Battle Zones. They’re much more dynamic than previous battles, as you have to protect both your trainer and the Pokémon you summon, making this combat system feel truly unique.

There’s already a lot of excitement for *Pokemon Legends Z-A*, but its new battle system and the core concepts of the game are likely to be a significant step forward for the *Pokemon* series. While the game still feels like *Pokemon* at its heart, the added innovations make it feel new and engaging. Plus, it’s expected to run even better on the Nintendo Switch 2, with improved performance and faster loading times.

2026 promises to be a big year for Pokémon, and *Legends Z-A* appears to be kicking off a new generation. The game demonstrates how Pokémon’s core ideas, established three decades ago, can be updated and feel modern while staying true to what fans love. Returning to Lumiose City is incredibly appealing, and after several hands-on previews, it’s clear that *Pokémon Legends Z-A* has the potential to be a massive success.

Pokémon Legends Z-A will be available on Nintendo Switch and the new Switch 2 on October 16, 2025. Game Rant covered this preview event with provided travel and accommodations.

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2025-09-24 17:22