Pokémon Game News surprised everyone by announcing this new game: a masterpiece on every level
Published on March 2nd, 2024 at 6:10 p.m
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On the 28th anniversary of Pokémon Red and Blue's release in Japan, a new video game in the series was announced. An announcement that turns rumors and logic on its head. And that is very good.
On February 27th, Pokémon celebrated its 28th anniversary. Like every year, the Pokémon Company presents Pokémon Presents: a digital event where they talk about the future of their video games. This meeting is eagerly awaited by players because, until proven otherwise, the new Pokémon games will be announced during these Pokémon Presents. A tradition that continues with the latest edition with the presentation of the Pokémon Legends ZA game to the whole world. A surprising announcement that is excellent on several levels.
No fifth generation on the program: surprise triumphs over logic
We can't say that The Pokémon Company has been innovative in recent years. When it comes to its video games, the company even did what was expected of it: a fourth-generation remake with Sparkling Diamond / Sparkling Pearl; large areas to explore with the Nintendo Switch and of course the introduction of a new generation of Pokémon through an open world. Funnily enough, which we'll come back to, Pokémon Legends: Arceus was the only surprise offered by Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures.
Ahead of Pokémon Presents 2024, it was hard not to anticipate the possible presentation of remastered versions of the fifth generation titles. It wouldn't have shocked anyone to see the ILCA studio (which is also behind One Piece Odyssey) back behind new episodes. They probably would have called them “Pokémon Black Onyx Version” and “Pokémon White Tungsten Version” just to highlight their new graphical qualities.
In addition, certain persistent rumors had spread among the players. Including that the second generation of Pokémon (Gold and Silver) would be in the spotlight. Whether in the form of a new Let's Go episode, a Pokémon legend about Celebi or even an open-world remake of the first games, there was something for everyone.
The Pokémon Company has chosen to ignore all of this. She surprised everyone with the announcement of Pokémon Legends: ZA. And that's good ! By not following the path of logic and offering a new work, it arouses interest. By choosing the path of the unknown over that of habit, you can also attract a wider range of players.. As a new installment, Pokémon Legends: ZA appeals to those who have no interest in remakes (even modern ones) of Pokémon, while capturing the attention of a seasoned audience. Everyone is talking about the game, which has so far only been able to play to its strengths very little, which causes imitation. Enough to generate excitement (and hype).
Pokémon Legends ZA: Fans stroked in the right direction
Pokémon Legends: ZA Surprises. So it is the novelty that suggests it seduces. However, with a sense of déjà vu, he manages to put Pokémon players in his pocket (and me first!). In 2025, players travel to Ilumis: it is the sixth generation (Pokémon X/Y) city that is clearly inspired by Paris. This alone makes it difficult not to interest players. The French capital has been one of the world's most popular travel destinations for decades and was the most visited city in the world in 2023, according to CNN.
Furthermore, the image at the end of the trailer is also attractive as it shows the Mega Evolution logo. A mechanic appreciated by players that allows certain Pokémon to evolve again during battle. Charizard, Mewtwo, Scizor… It is this mechanic (appears with X/Y) that gave strategic battles a completely new dimension while deconstructing the image of already known Pokémon. Since then, subsequent episodes have attempted to incorporate this mechanic with small changes. We didn't make it any better than the original, although we have to admit that the Tera crystallization that came out with Écarlate/Violet did quite well.
After all, Pokémon Legends initially remains a nice surprise. While some cannot overcome the title's technical pitfalls, others have stressed that they prefer the gameplay it offers. A more action-oriented style of play where filling the Pokédex requires thorough investigation of the pocket monsters. To get a complete description, we then need to put them in different situations.
The ambiguity about the title technique
This surprising announcement from Pokémon Legends: ZA is also fueling speculation. Through several tweets we know that it will only take place in the city of Illumis. We also know that the story was supposed to take place after the events of X and Y: This is evidenced by the differences between the map highlighted in the trailer and that of the game released on Nintendo 3DS. A megalopolisation project that proposes a futuristic, very dense city “where residents and Pokémon can coexist.” Pokémon even hints in its tweets that it will be an “ambitious” episode
LegendsPokemonZA, an ambitious new work in the Pokémon video game series, will be released on Nintendo Switch consoles in 2025!
As already mentioned, such a title reflects the ambition of a specific technical requirement. Nintendo, Pokémon and each of their subsidiaries highlighted the game's trailer with the term “ambitious.” But in addition to this chosen adjective, it's obviously the mention of “NIntendo Switch consoles” that's getting people talking. A sentence that is subject to multiple interpretations. Nintendo Switch consoles can be mentioned in different models: a standard model, a model with an OLED screen or even a Nintendo Switch Light. It can also refer to Switch consoles in general, which are available around the world.
But that's obviously not what players are thinking about. It is the new Nintendo console, which, according to the latest rumors, will be released around the first quarter of 2025. We then have a hard time getting our minds off the fact that Pokémon Legends: Arceus was released on January 28, 2022. A similar release would have had the advantage of offering the game on both the Nintendo Switch and the more modern console. Which would also explain the phrase “on Nintendo Switch consoles”. In any case, it is difficult (if not impossible) to believe in error. The Pokémon Company and its parent companies know very well what they are doing and play with this ambiguity.
At the moment, many questions are arising following the announcement of Pokémon Legends: ZA. There's the one in the script context; that on the starters offered at the start of the game; or the technical achievement that the title represents. Several questions that undoubtedly raise an observation. By moving away from logic, The Pokémon Company surprises players… and, above all, awakens their desire to become interested in the games of the license.