Fans of Pokemon are buzzing with excitement at the most recent Pokemon Presents. Although the main focus of the presentation was on news, upgrades, and forthcoming content releases for the live-service games in the franchise, the introduction of Pokemon Trading Card Pocket and the intriguing Pokemon Legends Z-A provides insight into the series’ future.

Though there is a lot of anticipation for the Legends game that will launch in 2025, Pokemon Legends Z-A’s details are surprisingly different. At first, a lot of fans thought that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s emphasis on Johto and Unova would draw attention to other areas. Future events in Pokemon mobile games are likely to explore these locations, as hinted by the frequent appearance of Virizion, Cobalion, Terrakion, Entei, Suicune, and Raikou, as well as the introduction of the Paradox Pokemon as their representative. But rather than the expected development from Game Freak, it seems like they are bringing back a long-lost promise: Pokemon Z.

Ever since Pokemon Yellow, every mainline Pokemon game has followed the same pattern of releasing a third version with extra content: Yellow to Red and Blue, Crystal to Gold and Silver, and Emerald to Ruby and Sapphire. Pokemon Black and White deviated from the traditional third-entry pattern, but Generation 5 was distinguished by its willingness to depart from established norms. In addition to departing from the standard third version, Black 2 and White 2 also destroyed a number of additional customs that had been followed by earlier generations.

Pokemon X and Y essentially represented a return to the classic Pokemon model, reintroducing many elements that the Black and White games had abandoned, even though they included some lessons learned from Generation 5. Fans speculated that this would lead to the return of the habit of naming a third game “X” and “Y.” For many players, the idea of a “Pokemon Z” that would follow in the footsteps of its predecessors sounded appropriate, and it quickly became one of the most highly anticipated third releases in the series. To the dismay of many, though, Pokemon Z was never released. Fans’ hunger for Pokemon Z lasted for years, even as the series advanced to Generation 7.

Given that Pokemon Legends Z-A combines more than ten years of rumors and dreams to complete the Pokemon X, Y, and Z bundle, the frenzy around the game is hardly surprising. However, players may still have to wait to find out how Mega Evolution, Lumiose City, and all of Kalos will be incorporated into Pokemon Legends Z-A.

Read also:

• Pokemon Go – Niantic Making Major Changes Changes to Routes
• Pokémon GO: How to Beat Giovanni
• Pokémon Legends: Arceus’ Best Starter Evolutions
• All the Hisuian Forms In Pokémon Legends – Arceus

Lucas Brown

Lucas is an IT student completing his studies in Networking. He worked at Ycombinator as a research analyst. He loves to write about his technology experiences. He also enjoys traveling and captures the best moments with his Canon 5d lens. He is a review specialist at Reviewsed.