The ultimate Pokemon Legends: Z-A guide for newcomers to Lumiose City

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is finally here, having released on October 16, 2025 and with a whole range of new gameplay mechanics, characters, and more besides making their mark on the Pokemon landscape.

The whole game is set within the single-city setting of Lumiose, returning from its first appearance back in Generation 6, aka Pokemon X and Y, but the game is pretty different from back then, or even from the most recent instalments in the series. Below, we've got everything you need to know about the game in our ultimate guide to Pokemon Legends Z-A, including how to play, what you need to know about the game going in, and more besides!

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Guides and Walkthroughs

We've got plenty of guides for Pokemon Legends: Z-A on GamesRadar+ right now, and more coming every day as we explore and become Pokemon Masters. Check out the guides below for any help you need!

• Tips and Tricks: To start with, our basic list of Pokemon Legends: Z-A tips will help you get to grips with the new system! Whether you're a basic bug trainer or a League Master, you'll find something here to help you.
• Best Starters: All Pokemon games begin with the chance to pick out a starter for yourself, but which one is best? We've got the Pokemon Legends: Z-A best starter choice revealed!
• Mystery Gift Codes: Mystery Gifts are the recurring promo rewards that pop up for players to claim, and there's some out there already! Find all the Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mystery Gift codes laid out here!
• Full Pokedex: The full Pokemon Legends: Z-A Pokedex is right here, with every one of the Pokemon in the game laid out. Find out how close you are to catching them all!
• Evolution: Evolving your Pokemon has some nuances and extra steps now, so if you're confused about how it's done, we explain how to evolve in Pokemon Legends: Z-A here! Self improvement is important, after all.
• Mega Evolutions and Mega Stones: The Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Evolutions are all the Pokemon that can get temporary power-ups and new forms, a returning mechanic from older generations. But to do so, you'll need to find all the Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Stones, which we have a guide on too!

Pokemon Legends: Z-A review

Our Pokemon Legends: Z-A review is right here, and it's scored very well! Written by our own Catherine Lewis, we gave the game four stars out of five, praising the overhaul done to mechanics and the way it feels reminiscent of the show, though critiqued the single-note environment and occasional sense of sameness.

To quote directly, "it proves that the Legends moniker is more than a sub-series to the beloved turn-based series, managing to innovate and offer a totally fresh experience that pushes Pokemon as a whole forward." Click the link above to find out more!

Pokemon Legends: Z-A platforms

Pokemon Legends: Z-A has launched on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, with the Switch 2 version being an Enhanced Edition, as first revealed in the March 2025 Nintendo Direct. The Switch 2 version has better graphics and performance overall, but shouldn't impact the actual gameplay itself.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A gameplay

Now that Pokemon Z-A is out, we've got first-hand experience of what the game includes and what players can expect from it. Your trainer will be staying at Hotel Z in Lumoise City, which will be your base of operations as you tackle all sorts of incidents as a member of Team MZ - protectors of the city.

During the day, you're free to explore "wild zones", where you can catch and battle wild Pokemon. Then, when night falls, you'll have to battle other trainers as part of the new "Z-A Royale" system, which will allow you to make your way up through the ranks to progress the story.

The city is also filled with side-quests, including research objectives to complete for resident scientist Mable and detective quests to fulfill with the returning X and Y character Emma. The city is filled with customization options to such as Pokemon grooming and relaxation spots.

Perhaps the biggest difference in terms of gameplay is in the way you battle. Rather than the classic turned-based formula the series is known for, Z-A will see us face up against trainers and Pokemon in real-time.

As we detailed in our Pokemon Legends Z-A Gamescom 2025 hands-on preview, the battles feel faster and more frantic as a result of this real-time switch, with easy controls that see you lock-on to an opponent, attack, and roll out of the way of incoming hits. There's also a cooldown system, so you can't just simply spam moves to earn your victory.

There are also new features to consider when battling, such as the precise timing for swapping out your Pokemon to make the most of their respective movesets. Taking note of the different lengths of time moves will take, and how big of an impact a move will have on an area also come into play. Overall, combat is more of a strategic affair with a real-time flow.

We also know that the title of the game actually references the new ranking system that's linked to the competitive battle zones. As trainers, we'll start out at rank Z and rise up to rank A, hence Z-A.

If you're looking for something else to tuck into while you wait, be sure to check out our pick of the best Switch 2 games.

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