Pokemon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

Unlike the most recent Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a game that really holds your attention. The spiritual successor to Legends Arceus, it’s learned from the mistakes of the distant past and beautifully shows what city life is like in the Pokémon universe. I can see myself playing this for another hundred hours as I finish my Pokédex, shiny hunt and generally have a great time. This is easily the best Pokémon game on the market.

Pokémon Legends Z-A is a grand adventure that once again proves that the Legends series is home to the most interesting ideas Game Freak has. It's a game that understands its audience, and feels like a love letter to both players who grew up with X & Y, and those who've been here the whole time. The new battle system really worked for me, and the Rogue Mega Battles are bombastic fun, even if, like the traditional turn-based offering, it can get very easy as you level up your team. I hope the Pokémon Legends series is here to stay.

Pokémon Legends Z-A is a welcome change of pace in a series that’s been running for almost 30 years. Here’s hoping the Legends games continue to serve as testing grounds for new ideas, and that the core mainline games can bring some learned lessons in exciting ways.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A mega evolves the series in an exciting new direction, and is one of the best games I've played on the Switch 2.

Thanks to its mature story tinged with nostalgia, its fast-paced gameplay, and its remarkably smooth performance, Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels like one of the best entries in the series — a must-play for any Pokémon fan. While it pays heartfelt tribute to the franchise’s past with its Kalos setting, it also stands as a clear glimpse of what the future of Pokémon can become.

I’m sure of it: beyond its imperfections and the unfinished business Game Freak has yet to resolve, Pokémon Legends: Z-A marks the first step in a smart direction—one that aligns with what many fans have been asking for over the years and shows particular respect for the legacy it inherits from the most successful franchise in history. I’m convinced we’re looking at one of those special games, one of those one-in-a-million experiments that end up working out. This time, Game Freak, you have my full attention.

Pokémon Legends Z-A is a bold and imaginative evolution of the franchise, transforming Lumiose City into a richly detailed world full of personality, dynamic real-time battles, and emotional storytelling. Game Freak builds on the success of Legends: Arceus with a tighter scope and a more experimental structure that pays off in surprising ways. The game shines through its vibrant cast, fresh mechanics, and urban exploration, although it’s not without a few missed opportunities.

If you prioritize up-to-the-minute aesthetics, Pokémon Legends: Z-A — and arguably any title in the series — isn’t for you. Still, I can’t deny how much fun I’ve had playing this game. Its addictiveness triumphs over any minor issues. Real-time battles and entertaining side quests shine in Lumiose City. Launching at $70 with $30 of DLC might give some pause. But if you have a spouse or kids who will play this one too, the value is there, with dozens of hours of thoroughly satisfying adventuring. Don’t miss this release.

Pokémon Legends Z-A dares to be different in various ways, and it comes together beautifully. Sure, not everything works, but it’s a marked improvement over the many issues that Scarlet/Violet had, and improves upon the “graphical issues” that many felt Arceus had. The game is a mix of great characters, fun battles that will test you, and make you feel truly part of a Pokémon community.

Despite a few annoyances, the key areas where Pokémon Legends: Z-A experiments are a big success. The new battle system is great fun and makes for a unique challenge compared to what the series normally offers. While I think there are still steps to take to strike a better balance between that system and the catching mechanics from Arceus, I’m just thrilled to see Pokémon be a franchise willing to take risks again. I can’t wait to see what fresh idea the team at Game Freak tries next, as so far, it’s two-for-two in terms of Legends successes.

In a sea of other modern games beholden to the formula, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a bright, creative new franchise entry that is bold, confident and charts its own wonderful course.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is a follow-up to Arceus that feels both similar and different due to its focus on living alongside Pokemon in a modern city. The two themes are Mega Evolution and embracing life alongside Pokemon, and Game Freak and Nintendo are constantly showing and telling how that works. Admittedly, I miss the more varied biomes and locations from Arceus. But I do appreciate the story, the ambiance, the attention paid to characters, and how much it feels like a real city. After over 35 hours with it, I’m quite pleased.

Years ago, I said that Pokemon Legends: Arceus proved that there was room in the Pokemon world for more games like Pokemon Colosseum to exist, and to even thrive. While Pokemon Legends: Z-A wasn't quite what I had in mind, it feels like validation nonetheless. Pokemon is at its best when Gamefreak is allowed to experiment with what a Pokemon game can actually be, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A is an affirmation that the series isn't done evolving, much like the Pokemon themselves. If this is the future of the series - more experimental "Legends" titles which attempt to broaden the Pokemon world in ways that only they can, instead of merely retreading old ground with remakes - I couldn't be happier.

People often say you can't reinvent the wheel. Pokémon Legends: Z-A proves that sometimes you can improve on perfection, and while some changes need some fine-tuning, the experience it delivers is one I hope I'll see again from this franchise.

Two games in, it’s clear now that the Legends subtitle is for experimental ideas and gameplay concepts. Pokémon Legends: Z-A experiments a lot, taking big swings with its action combat system and smaller, more focused world, but it’s a very successful experiment and hopefully a sign of great things to come for the Pokémon franchise. Minor quibbles aside, Legends: Z-A very quickly became my favourite Pokémon game in the modern era, and probably the best Pokémon game in years.

With a well-rounded gameplay flow, seamless catching and fighting as well as a smooth performance, Pokémon-Legends: Z-A is the best game delivered by Game Freak in the last ten years.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A reinvents the series with bold real-time battles and an ambitious urban world. Though exploration feels limited, its combat depth and smooth performance make it a standout evolution for the saga.

It's a fun, fresh take on the series' formula that really helps Pokémon Legends: Z-A set itself apart as one of the best entries yet.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A gave me just about everything I wanted from a new Legends game. It continues the trend of bucking against series norms while maintaining the essence of what makes these games so special for fans.

At its core, Pokemon Legends: Z-A proves to be a highly entertaining and competent RPG. Its revamped gameplay mechanics inject a new level of freshness into the overall experience. Revisiting Mega Evolutions goes beyond mere nostalgia. It represents a smart decision, bringing attention to Pokemon that had likely been forgotten.

Game Freak is at their best when they’re allowed to break from the usual formula, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A is proof of that. Just like Legends: Arceus before it, this game shows how much potential the series still has when it stops trying to follow its own rules. Even after nearly three decades of trainer battles, there’s still room for Pokémon to grow into something that feels fresh without losing what made it special in the first place. Sure, there are still some technical mishaps and few tragic traditions (no voice-acting, for one), but Legends: Z-A has that magic that breathes new life into the franchise. If this is the kind of creative direction Game Freak is setting up for Generation 10, then there’s plenty to be hopeful for in Pokémon’s future.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A refines the series’ formula with a leaner, more focused, and genuinely fun experience. Despite its dated visuals, Game Freak delivers one of the most enjoyable entries in years a “sequel to a spin-off” that carries the kind of soul we hope to see return in the mainline games.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A revitalizes the series with real-time battles, a vibrant Paris-inspired Lumiose City, and the triumphant return of Mega Evolutions. Game Freak trades visual spectacle for silky performance and delivers a fresh, modern twist on the classic Pokémon loop. A few dated quirks remain, but this tour de force proves Pokémon still has plenty of joie de vivre.

The Mega Evolution transformation in Pokémon Legends: Z-A is dramatic and often fun to watch. Despite the pyrotechnics, later battles become an adrenaline-inducing game of strategically choosing the right potions, moves and dodges.

Pokémon Legends Z-A is one of the most intelligent entries in Game Freak's recent games. The studio knew how to build key new mechanics such as the real time combat with the enough focus in the little details. There's things that still have potential to improve, but overall our stay in Lumiose City was great.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A definitely has its shortcomings, most notably its insistence on omitting voiceovers and limiting exploration. Nevertheless, this spin-off will keep fans satisfied, thanks to a highly engaging combat system that brings the excitement of Pokémon battles vividly to life.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the most cohesive, thoughtfully-constructed Pokémon RPG of the HD era. Some may miss the more expansive world of something like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, but this game's top-notch new combat mechanics, solid gameplay loop, and refreshing level of polish makes it fairly easy to overlook its compact map. Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels like a great new foundation to build on and I'm excited to see how the series evolves next.

Yes, in terms of graphics it still didn’t quite deliver what people were hoping for, but Pokémon Legends: Z-A fulfills many of the dreams that anyone who watched or played Pokémon as a kid once had. And for the things it doesn’t yet achieve, it plants the seeds. While it offers a different experience for those who prefer the classic turn-based Pokémon games, at its core, it’s undoubtedly a delightful experience for anyone who loves Pokémon.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a bold step forward for the franchise, turning the traditional formula into a fast-paced action RPG. Its combat system is thrilling, strategic, and refreshingly different, while its return to Kalos brings nostalgic charm. However, its single-city setting, underwhelming visuals, and lack of voice acting keep it from true greatness. Still, Legends: Z-A captures the wonder and heart of Pokémon better than any recent entry. A strong evolution, even if not the final form.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A gives more meaning to Mega Evolutions and is, above all, a game about combat — this time unrestrained and unafraid to break away from sameness. Lumiose City is the perfect stage for this Pokémon battle playground: its charm and historical depth highlight just how underrated the X and Y generation truly was.

A deep and addictive evolution of the Pokémon formula that introduces dynamic real-time battles, a vibrant and dense Lumiose City, and an impressive technical leap, though its story pacing, repetitive structure, and lack of voice acting slightly hold it back.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the next step in the series' mega-evolution, a title with fresh ideas, a spirit of renewal, and a desire to do things right. While there's still work to be done, this is the path future Pokémon games should follow.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a hugely important game for the series. The game experiments with its structure and combat, and while I don't think everything we see here will be part of Generation 10, it's likely some ideas will be reworked or expanded upon in the next Legends installment. No, it's not a perfect game, but it's still a lot of fun that makes it clear that Pokémon still has enough energy to keep players engaged for years to come.

While the technical leap is rather meager, developer Game Freak demonstrates great courage in terms of content with the switch to real-time combat, successfully enriching the gameplay. If this radical change for the series isn't a no-go for you, you should pick it up.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A builds a brand-new framework for enjoying the franchise from a fresh perspective through its battle system — and in the long run, that could mark a game-changing shift for the series.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A neatly solves the biggest problems of Scarlet & Violet for me. The creative interpretation of the battle system combined with the Mega Evolution battles truly makes this Pokémon a joy to play again. The fact that the game holds your hand quite a bit and the story is as transparent as cling film is something I’m more than happy to accept.

Game Freak has regained its footing with Pokémon Legends Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Lumiose City is the perfect playground for the developer’s playful experimentation as they chart a path forward, scoring success with real-time battle mechanics, meaningful character interactions, and heart-pounding Rogue Mega Evolution encounters. It makes me cautiously optimistic for whatever comes next. “Au revoir, my young friend.”

Exciting and addictive as ever, Legends: Z-A isn't as big and varied as Arceus, but it is still a terrific refinement of the trusted franchise.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is an interesting spin-off fulfilling dream of some players – what would happen if combat system turned real-time? It is more dynamic approach filled with a lot of options, vast Pokédex, but partially limited to one location only. Lumiose City is interesting half-way through but is missing some richness of different regions. But somehow, Z-A could be attractive for new players thanks to different pace and some fresh ideas.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is one of the most successful installments in the series in recent years. The new real-time combat system works great, and the game itself is hard to put down. Unfortunately, the graphics are disappointing.

Pokémon Legends Z-A brings some very welcome news, such as a dynamic combat system, a very good integration of the Mega Evolution mechanics, and an incredible variety of content to find in a relatively small landscape. The cast of characters is fantastic, one of the very best ever in a Pokémon game, and the soundtrack is a gift to our ears. The game's performance on the Switch 2 is up to a very high standard, too. The exploration can feel repetitive on the medium term, though, and the game's graphics are in need of an update, while the day cycle transition animation can cause problems, but Legends Z-A most certainly lives up to its high expectations.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings a fresh, action-oriented take on the series, breathing new life into the world of Kalos with dynamic real-time battles. Lumiose City feels alive, a richly explorable environment full of secrets and meaningful interactions. While the game occasionally stumbles over minor technical issues and slight control imprecision, it ultimately delivers a captivating and thoroughly enjoyable spin-off.

Legends Z-A is finally a successfully realized modern Pokémon game that works the way it should - focused, stable, and very fun - but it still needs a bit more to achieve the true “mega evolution” of this legendary franchise.

A more focused, streamlined Pokémon experience that trades rolling hills for boulevard cafes and a greater focus on characters and story.

Game Freak succeeds in taking the strengths from Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to create what felt like its freshest take on Pokemon’s battle system and exploration yet. I especially recommend it to both newbies and longtime fans who enjoy exploration, experimenting with Pokemon teams, and customizing their outfits.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is much better than Scarlet and Violet all around, though it does fall short of the heights reached by Arceus. The new battle system is fun and filling out the Pokedex is as rewarding as always, but the lackluster presentation keeps the game from reaching its full potential. Even so, it's easy to get lost in Pokemon Legends: Z-A for hours and with the substantial Mega Dimension DLC on the way, there will be even more Pokemon to catch soon.

Even though the last time I visited Lumiose City was over a decade ago in Pokémon X and Y, I couldn’t help but shake the constant feeling of déjà vu, not for the city, but for the Pokémon routine. Still, where Legends: Z-A does experiment with the Pokémon formula, it succeeds in delivering a novel experience that will hopefully encourage Game Freak to continue challenging what Pokémon games can be in the future.

Pokémon Legends Z-A manages to be simultaneously promising, fun and disappointing. Pokémon series is the highest-grossing video game franchise on earth, and as a major release from this series, Pokémon Legends Z-A feels leagues below what it could be. However, if you are able to cut Game Freak some (perhaps unearned) slack, then you’ll find plenty to enjoy on the mean streets of Pokémon Legends Z-A. It’s not a monumental leap forward, but there is genuine innovation here. Amid Pokémon’s reputation for stagnancy, this is very much worth celebrating.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A finally feels like Game Freak hitting its stride in Pokemon’s 3D era. Lumiose City may not be visually exciting, but exciting Pokemon encounters, well-written characters, and amusing side quests still make it fun to explore while also serving as the ideal vehicle for a more intimate and emotionally mature Pokemon story. Z-A’s total battle system overhaul from turn-based to action also works surprisingly well, managing to be intuitive for series veterans and engaging to play casually while introducing all sorts of intriguing possibilities for deeper, competitive play. And while Z-A could use a little performance help on the Switch 1, it’s a marked improvement from its predecessors and significantly better if you’re playing on Switch 2. After several years running of putting the controller down with a deep sigh at the end of a Pokemon review, it sure is refreshing to once again be excited to keep playing for hours more.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A may not surpass Arceus in innovation, but it delivers an exciting adventure with plenty of nostalgic charm that make it a worthy follow-up in the series.

Overall, it feels like Z-A has made a definitive statement about what the “Legends” games are able to aspire to – a way for Pokémon to get weird and experimental alongside the main games. Looking back, that’s the most compelling part about Z-A: the promise it holds for the series’ future and the steps it takes to do something different. So even if Z-A isn’t everything I wanted it to be, it’s a world I dearly enjoyed getting to live in.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A wins you over with its simple yet mystery-filled narrative, open-world design, and easy Pokémon management, but it's the dynamism of the new real-time combat that kept me playing long after the credits rolled. It's a very fun and easy-to-play game, which suffers from poor graphics quality.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a release heavily focused on battles. While its story and graphics don’t particularly stand out, the addictive gameplay, dynamic combat, and fun online mode make it a must-play title for both veteran fans and newcomers.

Playing Pokemon Legends: Z-A just felt good. I enjoyed exploring the city, collecting side missions, and gathering clothes to craft my ideal outfit. Not every mechanic is a win, and some of the platforming elements of exploring the city felt a bit clunky, but it’s a game that had me wanting to come back for more. I appreciated having a bit more of a straightforward story than in games like Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, while still having plenty of side content to immerse myself in. The main story is a good length, and with all those side missions and hidden areas to explore, I can easily see myself sinking many more hours into Legends: Z-A even after the credits roll.

Hopefully Game Freak will continue using the Legends series as a playground (maybe a return to pixel graphics, just a suggestion), but, for now, Lumiose City has been a treat to revisit.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels like something completely different from the long-running series, in good ways and bad. While it’s by no means the grand adventure of Legends: Arceus, the real-time battles can be wildly engaging, the pacing and story are spot-on, and Lumiose City looks fantastic. If you’re looking for a good time, you’ve got it here.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A offers a true slice-of-life Pokemon experience thanks to its anime-style real-time combat system and wholesome worldbuilding elements. While its single-city setting can sometimes feel a bit samey, Lumiose is densely packed with things to do and discover. This is a world worth getting lost in.

A fantastic Pokémon game. The new battle mechanics are a stellar addition to the formula and it was great to see Mega Evolutions return in such bombastic fashion. It feels like the continuation Pokémon X & Y needed but never got, as it’s always felt like those games never truly got the love, respect and time they deserved...Unfortunately the Pokémon series continues to be held back by the same old problems, and while graphics aren’t the be all and end all I do think it’s about time we got a fully-voiced Pokémon game, we’ve waited long enough.

Addictive and enjoyable to play, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a good game and a nice appetizer while we wait for the next generation. TPCI continues to experiment with new ways to play with trainers and their pocket monsters, and they're doing pretty well with this two-phase formula that we found hard to put down. It's a shame, however, that the story isn't a little more interesting and that the technical aspects are still lacking.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes all the elements that made Arceus fun and refreshing and elevates them to new heights with the introduction of its real-time battle system.

Z-A marks a new beginning. A Pokémon game that isn't scared to be different, and delivers the joy of playing something entirely new. If Legends: Arceus was the experiment, Z-A is the final result. And, honestly, it's the Pokémon game for which I've been waiting for years.

Mega Evolution! By embracing a real-time combat system that fits the series perfectly, the new title raised its pure fun factor to modern standards. While improved graphics and optimization shine, the small-scale maps, repetitive content, and lack of the forward-looking vision fans expected from the Legends series hold it back.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A isn’t afraid to make some much-needed modernizations. However, the small world and repetitive gameplay loop make it not the shiniest of the Pokémon games.

Legends: Z-A has ultimately set the standard and new direction for what Pokémon already should have been for years now. It has cut out many of the flaws that caused previous entries to feel like a slog, and improved on technical issues in ways that it simply never should have had to. This latest game has aligned Pokémon and Animal Crossing as kindred spirits, where satisfaction is found through collecting and completion of the pokédex, the same way bugs and fossils are for the latter. These are cozier RPGs, and while that can lessen their impact compared to their more mechanically involved contemporaries, it feels more like a boon than a curse that this franchise is willing to embrace that identity. Even if none of it ever stays with you for too long after you put it down, for anyone looking to kill time exploring a world full of lovable flora and fauna, Legends: Z-A makes sure that it always feels fast and fun.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A offers a fresh, fun battle system and the typical collecting fever, but also suffers from outdated graphics.

Pokémon Legends Z-A gives us an amazing, fresh take on Pokémon battles, but that’s about all it does. Difficult fights are a highlight, but they can feel few and far between in a game that really overstays its welcome. When it works, it’s an absolute blast, but since there’s nothing else to do it’s a very one note game.

Pokémon Legends ZA is a genuinely fun game that makes significant strides forward, even if it doesn't quite reach its full potential. It brilliantly expands the exploration of a returning Lumiose City, masterfully plays on nostalgia, and introduces a fresh battle system. While the Pokédex is more curated, the addition of new Megas makes the selection feel meaningful.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is another bold experiment from Game Freak. It may not fully succeed in building a cohesive, immersive world, but its innovative battle system and exciting new Pokémon make it a fascinating step forward.

Pokémon Legends Z-A isn't the game that was hoped for. It innovates in terms of combat, but remains too timid when it comes to exploration. Its universe, focused on the city of Illumis, limits the desire for adventure, even if its combat system finally paves the way for a new generation of Pokémon gameplay. Trainers looking for a breath of fresh air will find it a solid and enjoyable title. Pokémon Legends Z-A releases on October 16th on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, and should appeal to those who want to test their trainer's reflexes in a brand new arena. And those who still love the franchise's evolutions and captures.

Pokémon Legends Z-A, in keeping with the series' tradition, is a controversial creation. Game Freak manages, as always, to create a fun and enjoyable adventure, with gameplay that is well-integrated across its various components, but it fails to shake off some now endemic critical issues. The gameplay formula is experimental enough, demonstrating the team's willingness to try different solutions, but it is set in a somewhat flat and personality-less setting. Fortunately, Lumiose City makes up for it with a wide range of activities, both primary and secondary, and delivers what I can wholeheartedly call a good Pokémon experience. Despite its flaws, it brings a slight breath of fresh air and stands as an interesting evolution of Arceus. After years of stagnation, despite some timid steps forward on the gameplay front, we can say that Pokémon Legends confirms its most interesting approach in the series, at least in the Switch era.

If you’ve loved Pokémon but the latest releases have left you disappointed for various reasons, Pokémon Legends: Z-A won’t change your mind — yet it proves that Game Freak still has a ton of super-effective moves in its arsenal. Despite some rough edges in the story and balance, and a technical side hampered more by design choices than by execution, the new Pokémon Legends entry is fun, immediate, and engaging — though it could have been much, much more. The Japanese developer is still experimenting, adding and removing elements in search of the perfect formula, but continues to do so with the nonchalance of a studio that knows it can sell millions of copies with minimal effort. And that’s a shame, because Z-A is probably the best Pokémon game in years. With just a bit more effort — and the hardware potential of the Switch 2 — Game Freak could truly get back on track.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A isn't the break with the past that some might have hoped for, but it's a good Pokémon game that introduces a fun new battle system to the series and marks the return of Mega Evolutions, in a setting that will be familiar to fans and welcoming to anyone experiencing the world of Pokémon for the first time. The game suffers a bit from its cross-gen nature and its Nintendo Switch origins in terms of graphics, but this time around performance is not to be faulted. Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a great game, then, with many strengths, and it also has the value and quality of ending on a high note. For this very reason, however, it's even more disappointing to see the shortcomings of yet another Pokémon game that fails to reach the excellence it perhaps could and should have aspired to.

I have no doubt that the systems introduced in Pokemon Legends: Z-A could shine brightly in the future of the series, but for now, they're just not quite there yet.

An unshakeable gameplay core and some minor innovations save this technically completely outdated game from being a complete letdown.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A has a clear mission and, despite some shortcomings, it absolutely succeeds in doing so.

This second generation of Pokemon games on the Switch - Scarlet, Violet, and Legends: Z-A - has repeatedly gone back and forth between “we are so cooked” and “we are so back”. Pokemon Legends: Z-A has basically distilled that down to one game, because it feels like everything that annoyed me about the game was countered almost immediately by the game doing something I enjoyed or impressed me. Of the two Legends, I still prefer Arceus though, and I do hope a third Legends game is more focused on catching than combat.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Review – With open-world exploration, urban evolution, and new mechanics, does it finally deliver the innovation fans hoped for?

Legends: Z-A still has a way to go in terms of graphics and story, but unique gameplay, great monster designs and a truly colorful world makes this a very fun new outing for the franchise nonetheless.

Pokémon Legends Z-A has a good ideas and executes them well. Beyond that, it fails to replicate the achievements of previous games or expand on its premise significantly.

Pokémon Legends Z-A is a fascinating mix of progress and stagnation. Its real-time combat is the most exciting evolution the series has seen in years, finally delivering action with impact and rhythm. The trainer ranking system and open battle zones add structure and purpose to the adventure, while the wild zones make exploration more dynamic than ever. Unfortunately, the visuals swing between charming and outdated, the city design feels flat, and the complete lack of voice acting drains emotion from key moments. Technically, it runs better than recent entries, but creatively, it still falls short of what Pokémon could be in 2025.

Overall, it’s safe to say that Pokémon Legends Z-A is a good game, albeit with some shortcomings. It’s fun, it’s enjoyable, and brings the return of the best battle mechanic in the series’ history. Both versions of the game (Switch 1 and Switch 2) run well on their respective platforms, with the Switch 2 getting a 60fps version of the game. Legends Z-A does also have its DLC expansion planned for release later on, bringing new story content and Mega Evolutions. It’ll also (presumably) bring in more Pokémon that aren’t already in the game, so there should be some fun surprises for all of us when we get to see the new Mega forms. Pokémon Legends Z-A marks an enjoyable breath of fresh air, but it could still do with some growth to catch up with the times.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A stays true to the classic Pokémon spirit while introducing meaningful gameplay changes. However, it still carries over many of the same issues the series hasn’t managed to overcome. It’s far from a bad game, but it’s clear that Game Freak needs to start giving the franchise the technical and narrative care it truly deserves.

After my time with Pokémon Legends Z-A, the overall impression I am left with is “good, but with room for improvement.” It achieves that addictive urge to explore and catch ’em all, but the world map is small and doesn’t do enough to make up for it. Real-time battle mechanics are a fresh twist and are the game’s stand-out achievement, but it is a little chaotic and cluttered in its current form. The game looks better than previous Pokémon titles, but continued half-hearted attempts to give itself a high-definition look seem to come at the expense of deeper, more complex content. It’s easy to ignore these cracks, complete the satisfying gameplay loop and vibe through Z-A’s Pokémon adventure, but I know Pokémon is capable of more than this.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a fun romp through Lumiose City thanks to its fun and engaging gameplay and stable framerate that's ultimately held back by an antiquated approach to world design and presentation.

Game Freak once again attempts to do something different with a series that's fast approaching its 30th anniversary. Pokémon Legends: Z-A puts a refreshed battle system front and centre, offering faster, real-time combat at its core. The change may not be for everyone; especially long-time fans who remain loyal to the classic turn-based formula. It’s a shame that some aspects, like NPC interactions, haven’t evolved to the same degree and there can be some repetition in traversing the Z-A world. Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels like a well-earned holiday for the series, where there's opportunity to try something new and explore. The adorable critters truly do thrive in Lumiose City and that's ultimately the heart of what drives a Pokémon adventure.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A dares to reinvent itself with action-driven battles and a lively world, but stumbles over its own ambitions. The ideas are strong, the execution less so. A step forward, but far from a revolution.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is a fitting end to the Switch 1-era Pokemon games. Like Legends: Arceus and Scarlet and Violet, it takes some surprising risks, but it looks rough doing so. Game Freak's decision to overhaul the battle mechanics for the first time since Pokemon's inception is admirable, and it ultimately paid off. But after five 3D Pokemon games, it's frustrating how far behind Pokemon is when it comes to its presentation. It feels like the last piece missing to really bring Pokemon into the future.

Where Legends: Arceus focused on collecting, Legends: Z-A does the same for the combat system. Complemented by a fantastic soundtrack and a wealth of customization options, you're completely free to choose your own path in Lumiose City. Except for the slow opening hours, where the story requires patience before you can truly explore Lumiose City to your heart's content.

A decent enough game that fails to innovate in the same way Legends Arceus did, Pokemon Legends Z-A feels like a wasted opportunity that may only be worth it for die-hard fans.

Like so many other modern Pokémon games, Pokémon Legends: Z-A paints a promising picture of what the future of Pokémon could look like. It's an enjoyable return an underappreciated region in Pokémon that fans are sure to appreciate.

It’s still as embarrassingly low-tech as ever but this is easily the best of the 3D games, with a surprising amount of ambition and invention, not to mention real-time combat that actually works.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A should be celebrated for its fabulous real-time combat and its largely smooth jump to the Switch 2, but in condensing things down to one single location, it loses part of the Pokémon magic that Arceus and many other entries managed to amplify. I’ll forever find filling up my Pokédex fun, and for the Switch 2 generation, this is a good starting point for the franchise. But if the Legends series is to continue, it needs to recapture its personality and fuse that real-time system with a bit more freedom.

I will not explain away or excuse Game Freak's bizarre way of constructing their games, nor will I claim that it makes sense for these AAA titles to be so incredibly stingy with rudimentary details such as 3D-modelled balconies in a city inspired by Paris, or voice acting. But at the same time, this is fundamentally a game that is once again about collecting, developing, and battling with Pokémon. That's what you do most, and that's what works best.

I have never played a game in this series with a world that felt this lifeless.

Pokémon Legends Z-A is a game that tries to shake up the franchise with some interesting ambitions, but unfortunately, the technical and artistic resources don’t keep up. Between a fresh urban setting that is poorly utilized, a struggling graphics engine, and archaic level design, the open-world experience is disappointing and fails to convince. The streets are empty, the buildings are rudimentarily cloned, flat textures and constant clipping make the city of Illumis feel like a cardboard movie set.Yet, not everything is bad. The real highlight of this episode is the real-time combat. Abandoning the classic turn-based system is a risky move, but here the gameplay gains pace and tension. Positioning, timing, and strategy take center stage, while the variety of attacks and the reintroduction of Mega Evolutions add tactical depth.On the other hand, all other aspects of the game fall short: the story is somewhat flat, side quests are repetitive and uninspired, and the overall art direction suffers from a glaring lack of personality. In the end, the game feels like an ambitious prototype, limited by an outdated graphics engine and insufficient resources. Younger players and long-time fans of the franchise will find enjoyment here, but for adult or more demanding players, the experience remains frustrating. It’s clear the franchise has potential to evolve, but Game Freak needs to seriously invest in its tools and design to deliver a truly modern Pokémon open-world game.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is fun, but it's clearly light-years behind industry standards and what one would expect from the most profitable franchise in video game history. The good ideas are completely drowned out by shoddy graphics and dialogue that still believes children need to be banal and simple, ruining a plot that works at its best and finally gives dignity to the characters and the plot holes that Game Freak missed in the sixth generation.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A tweaks the standard formula to deliver more active monster catching and battling, but it takes place in a disappointingly boring city with little else to do.

Where Arceus dared, Z-A retreats, offering an experience that neither innovates, excites, nor engages. The return of Mega Evolutions, while interesting, isn’t enough to save a game that feels built with minimal effort for maximum commercial gain. The “Legends” series thus loses its original meaning, and Z-A stands as a symbol of a creative crisis that Game Freak doesn’t yet seem ready to confront. For those curious about the new battle system and the thrill of catching Pokémon — which still manages to inspire some excitement — there’s something here for you too.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a game that will please fans of collecting battle creatures, yet deeply disappoint with how much potential this massive franchise leaves untapped. A series of this stature deserves far more than what it gets here.

In terms of gameplay, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has some good points, such as real-time catching and battles, while the city seems limiting. Technically, it's still lagging behind, but at least it runs reasonably well on the Switch 2.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A dares to try something new, but its flaws prevent the otherwise good ideas from reaching their full potential.

Pokemon Legends Z-A is one of the most disappointing Pokemon games i have ever played. Besides the wide variety of creatures to catch, some QoL changes and the Mega Evolutions - there's not much else to find enjoyable in this experience.

While the Pokémon Legends series may at first seem eager to break free from the limitations of the mainline episodes, it still falls short of the long-awaited reinvention fans have been hoping for. Z-A shows plenty of good ideas and offers the most engaging battle system the franchise has seen in a long time, but it struggles to make up for its eternal shortcomings: dull and underwhelming visuals for the modern era, a still overly childish narrative, a glaring lack of personality, and gameplay inconsistencies that gradually erode the experience over time. Though die-hard fans of the series will no doubt overlook these flaws, the average player (who only hunts monsters from time to time) will find Pokémon Legends: Z-A to be a pleasant attempt, but far from essential.

Pokemon Legends Z-A delivers fast, polished battles in Lumiose City, but limited exploration and shallow side content hold it back from being truly great.

Lumiose City could do with work, but Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a much more tightly focused - and delightfully goofy - return to better form. At least by modern Pokémon's standards.