When Pokémon Legends ZA dropped in 2025, many fans were buzzing with excitement about what Nintendo had promised: a fresh take on the beloved franchise with improved graphics and gameplay. But as the dust settled, it became clear that it fell short of those lofty expectations. For fans of iconic titles like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, this latest installment felt like a letdown.
While Legends ZA kicked off with some impressive features—a continuation of stories from previous games, a new battle system, and innovative elements—it quickly became obvious that the overall quality was lacking.
What Did Pokémon Legends ZA Add That Fans Found Surprising?
Stepping into Lumiose City felt nostalgic, especially for those who last visited in Pokémon X and Y. The city boasts a richer environment, yet it still feels like a half-hearted effort. Nintendo and Game Freak aimed for a smaller, more detailed world, but ended up with just a few neighborhoods that felt copied and pasted.
Surprisingly, I found the absence of Gym Leaders didn’t detract from the battle experience. While Gym Leaders have always been a core aspect of the Pokémon journey, Legends ZA substitutes them with unique NPCs for rank promotions, each specializing in different Pokémon types. This fresh twist offered a new challenge, with characters like Canari and Ivory providing worthy competition.
Another perk was how accessible items became. From Red Poke Balls scattered throughout Lumiose City to easily findable TMs like Blizzard and Earthquake at Mable’s Research, the game did improve on item availability. That alone was refreshing compared to older titles.
Did Nintendo Skip Their Next-Gen Moment with Legends ZA?
With a $70 (around €66) price tag for the game and the new Switch 2 costing $449 (about €420), players expected a leap in performance and visuals. Unfortunately, Legends ZA underdelivered. Many found the controls clumsy. The joystick felt similar to the previous console, leaving players longing for a more refined experience.
While a smaller map typically means more intricate details, Legends ZA’s layout showed a lack of depth. Most buildings were unused, giving the city a lifeless feel. You’ll find repetitive park designs while exploring, with Wild Zone 12 being the one exception that features an icy biome.
Is the New Battle System a Step Back?
Battles in Pokémon are usually turn-based for a reason—they give you room to think, strategize, and dodge attacks. With Legends ZA’s new real-time battle mechanics, however, the cramped environments turned into frustrating obstacles. Players might find their Pokémon stuck against walls or unable to move freely, which clashed terribly with the new system’s intent.
The popular ZA Battle Royale was another attempt to spice things up, but glitches marred the experience. Players reported issues like Pokémon getting stuck or awkwardly running back after using certain moves, leading to a choppy gameplay experience.
Why Does Legends ZA Lack a Compelling Story?
Character development in Legends ZA is solid, but the endless cutscenes and unskippable dialogues can wear thin quickly. The main plot revolves around defeating Alpha Pokémon and battling rogue Mega Evolutions without a real villain, which feels like a missed opportunity. Older Pokémon titles had powerful adversaries, adding depth to the story. In contrast, this game feels like a community service simulator at times.
How Does Pokémon Legends ZA Compare to Games Like Palworld?
Some folks have called Palworld a Pokémon clone, but many would argue that it offers a more polished experience. It boasts a more expansive world filled with dungeons, diverse locations, and countless interactive elements. You can use capture mechanics and even weaponry—features that Pokémon Legends ZA completely overlooks.
While Legends ZA sticks to the classic gameplay formula, Palworld moves ahead, introducing darker themes and environmental storytelling far richer than what’s available in Legends ZA.
I really enjoy Pokémon games, but with each new release like Legends ZA, it feels like what once was a beloved series is losing its luster. The effort put into optimization and performance seems lacking, especially when newer games offer so much more.
It’s frustrating to see a franchise that means so much to so many fall behind when there’s so much potential to explore. If you’re a fan of Pokémon, what do you think? Is Legends ZA everything you hoped for, or did it miss the mark? Feel free to share your thoughts below!
What are the key features of Pokémon Legends ZA?
Pokémon Legends ZA includes a fresh battle system, a detailed Lumiose City, accessible items like TMs and Red Poke Balls, and NPCs for rank promotions instead of Gym Leaders.
Is the game worth the price tag of $70?
Many players feel that the pricing does not justify the performance and graphics offered in Legends ZA, especially when compared to other Nintendo titles and franchises.
What improvements does Legends ZA make compared to previous Pokémon games?
The game improves item accessibility and introduces unique NPC battles but struggles with areas like performance, story depth, and exploration options.