Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Crimson Desert
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Don't miss these
Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift codes for Mega Garchomp Z
Pokemon All Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift Codes and Rewards (April 2026)
Incineroar gets ready for battle in Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon The best Pokemon in Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Gold and Silver
Pokemon The best Pokemon games, ranked from worst to best
A screenshot from the Pokemon Pokopia trailer shows Ditto transformed into a human.
Pokemon 13 things I wish I knew before starting Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Pokopia screenshot showing Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle all gathered around a Ditto in human form between two green trees
Pokemon The ultimate Pokemon Pokopia guide for restoring the world around you
Pokemon Presents 2026
Pokemon All Pokemon Presents 2026 codes and rewards for Pokemon Go, Legends Z-A, TCG Pocket, and more
Key art for Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Pokemon Champions: Everything you need to know about the Nintendo game
A trainer looking out at the ocean during the trailer for Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves: Everything we know about the next Pokemon game so far
Greninja and Sylveon fight in Pokemon Champions
Pokemon I made a competitive team in minutes in Pokemon Champions – this could open the door for newcomers
Pokemon Pikachu
Adventure Games The 10 best games like Pokemon for the discerning trainer
Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon All Pokemon in Winds and Waves confimed so far
Pokemon Winds and Waves starters
Pokemon All Gen 10 starters in Pokemon Winds and Waves
A pokemon prepares for battle
Pokemon Pokemon Champions makes poor first impression on fans: 6v6 singles, popular items, and mons missing
A trainer standing on a rock next to the ocean during Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves region: everything we know so far about the map and setting
Pokemon Pokopia screenshot showing Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle all gathered around a Ditto in human form between two green trees
Pokemon After 30 years, Pokemon Pokopia finally answers an important question for "the hardcore lore freaks"
  1. Games
  2. Adventure Games
  3. Pokemon
  4. Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Pokemon Legends Z-A confirms its starting trio, and it leans on the Gold/Silver lineup much more than I was expecting

News
By Kaan Serin published 27 February 2025

Hello there, Generation 2

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Screenshot from Pokemon Legends ZA
(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
1
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

The Pokemon Company has just spilled all the juicy details on Pokemon Legends Z-A, an open-world take on Pokemon X and Y's Lumiose City, and its trio of starters certainly lean on Generation 2 much more than I was expecting.

With the Pokemon Legends Z-A starters now confirmed, we know that newbie trainers will be able to pick between the small Grass-type dino Chikorita, the plump Fire-type Tepig, and the adorable Water-type Totodile as starters, as seen in the game's new Pokemon Presents trailer.

YouTube YouTube
Watch On

They definitely caught me off guard since Chikorita and Totodile come from the same Generation 2 games, Pokemon Gold and Silver, and their Gen 2 sibling Cyndaquil also headlined the last Legends game. (Someone at The Pokemon Company clearly has good taste.)

Article continues below
You may like
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves starter the blue lizard Gecqua Pokemon Winds and Waves trailer gives us our first glimpse at the new starter Pokemon
  • The player character in Pokemon Legends: Z-A sits next to an Alpha Totodile in front of a cafe Pokemon Home compatibility finally lets you offload your shiny-stuffed Pokemon Legends: Z-A boxes
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves starters All Gen 10 starters in Pokemon Winds and Waves

Whoever you decide to partner up with, it seems your in-game rival and frenemy will pick a starter that's weak against yours, based on the trailer. So, if you make the correct decision and choose Chikorita, your rival will very kindly put themselves at a disadvantage and pick Totodile.

Starters from Generation 6, Pokemon X and Y, are nowhere to be seen in the upcoming game's newest trailer, but that doesn't mean Chespin, Froakie, and Fennekin won't show up eventually. Pokemon Legends: Arceus hid away starter 'mons from the generation it was inspired by, so there's no reason why the Kalos region's beloved mascots won't rear their heads here, too.

Pokemon Legends Z-A was also re-confirmed to come to Nintendo Switch sometime later this year, with Mega Evolutions happily returning. Hopefully, our starting trio will get some epic new forms, too.

Elsewhere in today's livestream, we got our first look at a PvP multiplayer battler coming to Switch and mobile, new updates for spin-offs like Pokemon Unite and TCG, and much more.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Pokemon Legends Z-A remembers it's an open-zone JRPG, adds actual parkour and platforming so you can explore the city

CATEGORIES
Nintendo Switch Platforms Nintendo
Kaan Serin
Kaan Serin
Social Links Navigation
Freelance contributor

Kaan freelances for various websites including Rock Paper Shotgun, Eurogamer, and this one, Gamesradar. He particularly enjoys writing about spooky indies, throwback RPGs, and anything that's vaguely silly. Also has an English Literature and Film Studies degree that he'll soon forget.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Pokemon Winds and Waves starter the blue lizard Gecqua
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves trailer gives us our first glimpse at the new starter Pokemon
 
 
The player character in Pokemon Legends: Z-A sits next to an Alpha Totodile in front of a cafe
Pokemon Pokemon Home compatibility finally lets you offload your shiny-stuffed Pokemon Legends: Z-A boxes
 
 
Pokemon Winds and Waves starters
Pokemon All Gen 10 starters in Pokemon Winds and Waves
 
 
Pokemon
Nintendo Switch 2 Everything announced at the Pokemon Presents February showcase to celebrate Pokemon Day 2026
 
 
A trainer looking out at the ocean during the trailer for Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves: Everything we know about the next Pokemon game so far
 
 
Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift codes for Mega Garchomp Z
Pokemon All Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift Codes and Rewards (April 2026)
 
 
Latest in Pokemon
Lugia in Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness
Pokemon Nasty Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness Switch 2 bug that was costing players progress has been fixed
 
 
A female, pink-haired Pokemon trainer stands victorious after a battle in Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon I spent 12 hours making a Pokemon Champions team that's caused so many forfeits I almost feel bad
 
 
A pink-haired player punches the air in victory in Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon Does Pokemon Champions require NSO?
 
 
Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Pokemon Champions matches end in draws when the timer runs out, and no one can decide if that's a good thing
 
 
Incineroar gets ready for battle in Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon The best Pokemon in Pokemon Champions
 
 
Tatora, the Pokemon Champions ranked battle NPC, smiles.
Pokemon All Pokemon Champions ranks
 
 
Latest in News
Slay the Spire 2 classes
Roguelike Games Slay the Spire 2 won't get an endless mode, but creator says "maybe a modder" can "make it work"
 
 
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot showing Astarion, a pale white-haired vampire man with red eyes
Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate 3 devs are "completely" removing engine limitations from the past RPG for Divinity
 
 
Sam Porter Bridges flexes for the camera in Death Stranding 2
Action Games Hideo Kojima flexes on NASA, shows Death Stranding 2 players traveled further than the Artemis 2 mission
 
 
GTA 6 characters from trailer 2
Grand Theft Auto Take-Two CEO says AI should replace Elon Musk after his claim GTA 6 could come from gen-AI
 
 
Alyssa Sutherland as Ellie in Evil Dead Rise
Horror Movies Evil Dead Burn trailer promises bloody one-shot carnage with levitating Deadites
 
 
Elden Ring
Fantasy Movies Elden Ring movie sets 2028 release date, full cast, and confirms it will be filmed for IMAX
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Sam Porter Bridges flexes for the camera in Death Stranding 2
    1
    Hideo Kojima flexes on NASA, shows Death Stranding 2 players traveled further than the Artemis 2 mission
  2. 2
    All Elementalism codes (April 2026) codes for free Aureus
  3. 3
    Stranger Things: Tales From '85 showrunner says the upcoming series won't just be a "Monster of the Week" adventure
  4. 4
    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gustave actor had no idea fans could love game characters as much as they do those in movies
  5. 5
    Evil Dead Burn trailer promises bloody one-shot carnage with levitating Deadites

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...