Zygarde May Get a Break from Collectathon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

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In late 2025, enthusiasts of Nintendo and Pokémon can revisit the France-inspired region of Kalos in the upcoming game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A. This time around, players will be able to traverse a revamped Lumiose City post the events of 2013’s Pokémon X and Y. Accompanying you on this adventure will be three classic starters: Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile. As of now, only a few non-starter Pokemon have been unveiled for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, but the game promises the return of X and Y’s relatively overlooked tertiary legendary Pokemon, Zygarde. However, Game Freak might opt for a different treatment of Zygarde compared to its more significant role in Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon.

The History of Zygarde Explained

Back in 2013, when Pokemon X and Y were unveiled for the Nintendo 3DS, enthusiasts couldn’t contain their excitement at the prospect of a main series Pokemon game set in a fully realized 3D world. The titles themselves, Pokemon X and Y, were a nod to the series’ improved use of the x, y, and z axes commonly used in 3D spatial analysis. However, when Xerneas and Yveltal, the legendary box art Pokemon, made their appearance, many gamers anticipated that Game Freak would eventually launch a Pokemon Z game, similar to how Pokemon Emerald and Platinum were released earlier with additional legendary creatures. Contrary to popular belief and historical precedent, though, no Pokemon Z game was ever produced for the Nintendo 3DS.

In the games Pokemon X and Y, the tertiary Kalos legendary Pokemon, Order Pokemon, were not absent but could be found and captured in Terminus Cave after achieving Champion status. The monster with a Z-shaped form, Zygarde, made its only appearance in these games, though it later assumed a more significant role in the anime series “Pokemon the Series: XYZ”. In the following mainline Pokemon games – Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon – Zygarde became more prominent. During this time, it was disclosed that the snake-like appearance of Zygarde in X and Y was merely its 50% Forme. In truth, Zygarde consists of 95 small Zygarde Cells and five Zygarde Cores.

How to Catch Zygarde in Other Pokemon Games

In Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, having one Core and ten Cells enables players to combine them to obtain the canine-like Zygarde 10% Forme. As more Cores and Cells are gathered, players can create the 50% form and eventually the massive, red, blue, and green Zygarde Complete Forme. In the Crown Tundra Expansion of Pokemon Sword and Shield, Zygarde reappears when a Dynamax Adventure is completed in the Max Lair.

Arceus, Scarlet, or Violet.

Potential Alternate Ways to Encounter Zygarde in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

In the vibrant, green-themed game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, it seems that the long-awaited moment for Zygarde, the Order Pokemon, may be approaching. A hint of this can be seen in the trailer for Z-A 2025, where only Zygarde’s 10% Forme and one Cell are visible over Lumiose City, but it’s expected that more forms will make an appearance. On the official website for Z-A, it’s suggested that Zygarde has developed a connection with the player and its role in the storyline remains a secret. The website also mentions the various Zygarde Cells and Cores, but it’s unclear if players will need to gather these items, similar to the Alola games, for some aspect of gameplay.

In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak might opt to bypass the method of gathering all Zygarde’s forms through a collectathon, given that many players found this process somewhat laborious in the Alola games. Instead, they may choose to connect acquiring Zygarde directly to the storyline of Z-A. The title of Z-A sharing similarities with AZ’s name suggests that Zygarde’s exponential growth could be related to AZ in some way. Since AZ is 3,000 years old, he might impart knowledge on the player about how to quickly change Zygarde’s Formes. This narrative focus could help illuminate the history and mythology of Order Pokemon, rather than relegating it to secondary content as the 3DS games did.

It is believed that the Pokémon characters Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde are inspired by Celtic and Norse mythology. Specifically, Xerneas appears to be based on Eikþyrnir, Yveltal resembles The Morrígan, and Zygarde seems to incorporate elements from Fenrir, Jörmungandr, and Hel.

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2025-03-25 16:07