Game Freak announced several exciting projects during 2024’s Pokemon Presents. While thePokemon Trading Card Game Pocketapp got a lot of fans hyped, perhaps the biggest announcement wasPokemon Legends Z-A,to be released in 2025. Players haven’t seen the Kalos region sincePokemon X and Yover ten years ago, and are thrilled about the upcoming return.
Hot on the heels of thesuccess ofPokemon Legends: Arceus, Game Freak seems determined to pursue this new type of adventure. With nine generations and 1,025 Pokemon to choose from, fans are wondering which will be included in this latest offering. Inevitably, they will get more of a glimpse of their favorite Pokemon closer to the release date, but the first trailer gives an early look at some that will feature.
10Flabebe
Fairy, Generation 6
It might look like any other cutePokemon cradling a floweron the surface, but Flabebe is an important Pokemon and a great addition toLegends Z-Aconsidering its setting. When Game Freak introduced the Fairy-type in Generation 6, Flabebe was one of the first ones that fans got to see. Since Flabebe originated in the Kalos region, it makes perfect sense to bring it back.
Although it looks innocent, Flabebe brings a lot to the table for Pokemon fans. Besides having five different flower colors for players to collect, it can eventually evolve into Florges, which can be an impressive Pokemon given the right moveset. More interestingly, it’s easy to imagine Flabebe fitting in well in Lumiose City, hiding among colorful flowerbeds.
9Klefki
Steel/Fairy, Generation 6
Along with Flabebe, Klefki was another of the first Fairy-type Pokemon that fans saw inPokemon X and Y. However, Klefki stood out even more, thanks to its dual-typing andbizarre key design.
Kelfki doesn’t evolve into any other Pokemon (yet), but its dual Steel/Fairy type makes it an interesting one for Trainers to keep in their party. It also fits in perfectly with Lumiose City’s setting. With all the houses and old mansions, it’s easy to imagine mistaking a keyring for a Klefki, or having to catch one to enter a house.
8Pyroar
Fire/Normal, Generation 6
Eagle-eyed fans who watch the trailer forPokemon Legends Z-Awill spot both a male and female Pyroar, as well as a Litleo. Aside from Litleo boasting an adorable design, there’s nothing initially interesting about their inclusion. However, there’sa lot of potential in Pyroar.
InPokemon Legends: Arceus, players could use various Pokemon as mounts, such as Wyrdeer and Ursaluna. Pyroar would be a fast and exciting Pokemon to ride. If players raise one from a Litleo, it would feel even more satisfying to evolve and use it as a mount. Pyroar was another Pokemon introduced in Kalos, and if Mega Evolutions are indeed making a return, Pyroar would be an excellent candidate.
7Dragonair
Dragon, Generation 1
The trailer forPokemon Legends Z-Afeatures a glimpse of bridges over a river, with a Dragonair leaping out of the water as a Pokemon Trainer throws a Pokeball. Dragonair wasn’t available inPokemon Legends: Arceus,so this will be a welcome return.
So far, Dragonair is the only Dragon-type Pokemon known to be inLegends Z-A. Although there will likely be more, many will be delighted to see Dragonair and its evolutionDragonite, as they are favoritesamong Dragon-type fans. Dragonite have been shown to be used as messengers before, and it’s not hard to imagine Dragonite flying through the skies of Kalos as they deliver messages.
6Furfrou
Normal, Generation 6
In the trailer, viewers can glimpse a Furfrou as Pikachu runs past a Klefki and a group of Flabebe. Although its Fur Coat ability can help it tank some powerful attacks, Furfrou isn’t usually a popular member of a Pokemon Trainer’s team. However, there’s still a lot of promise for Furfrou inPokemon Legends Z-A.
As it’s native to Kalos, it makes perfect sense that Furfrou would make a return in this game. Even better, since Kalos is a sprawling urban environment,Furfrou is precisely the sort of dog-Pokemonthat people would own and take for a walk through the city. With the range of haircuts Furfrou is famous for, this Pokemon could add a bit of glamour to Kalos’ streets.
5Talonflame
Fire/Flying, Generation 6
It’s normal to expect low-level Flying types in each game, whether it’s Pidgey, Taillow, or Starly. So it should come as no surprise that Kalos’ resident low-level bird Pokemon, Fletchling, is making a return inPokemon Legends Z-A. However, what’s more exciting is its evolution, Talonflame.
Talonflame has become a firm competitive favoritesince its introduction inPokemon X and Y.This is thanks to its unique typing, Flame Body ability, versatile movepool, and high stats in Speed and Attack. Many trainers will be eager to add this Pokemon to their team as soon as they can. What’s more, it’s very possible that Talonflame could double up as a flying mount or even get a Mega Evolution.
4Gyarados
Water/Flying, Generation 1
As Pikachu runs over the bridge in the trailer forPokemon Legends Z-A, it’s impossible to miss the Gyarados surrounded by numerous Magikarp in the river. This should come as no surprise. Gyarados has been a fan-favorite since Generation 1, and has been available in every game since.
Assuming Mega Evolutions do make a comeback inLegends Z-A, Gyarados is poised to impress, thanks to its already established Water/Dark Mega Evolution. However, it’s not unlikely for the game to take Gyarados one step further and make it a water-based mount to traverse Lumiose City’s river.
3Aegislash
Steel/Ghost, Generation 6
Aegislash was one of Generation 6’s most notable additions to the Pokemon roster. It starts as Honedge, before evolving into Doublade and eventuallyAegislash. This evolution line stood out not just for their brilliant dual typing, but their unique and eye-catching design.
Klefki is also a Steel-type with an unusual design introduced in Gen 6, but Aegislash and its previous evolutions look considerably stronger thanks to their sword-based designs. With a dual-type that makes it a perfect counter against competitive Pokemon like Mega Lucario, Aegislash will prove to be a popular member on many Trainers’ teams – especially if it’s given a Mega Evolution.
2Sylveon
As with many popular Pokemon from Gen 1, Eevee is a favorite among Pokemon fans and makes an appearance in nearly every game. Although Eevee itself isn’t seen in the first trailer forPokemon Legends Z-A, Sylveon is. This means players will likely have a chance to catch Eevee too.
It makes sense forSylveon to be included, since it’s a Generation 6 Pokemon that made its debut in Kalos. But while Eevee and Sylveon might not be exciting to all fans, it’s the range of possibilities that Eevee can unlock. To date, Game Freak has given fans eight different “Eeveelutions:” Vaporeon, Jolteon, Flareon, Espeon, Umbreon, Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon. It’s been eleven years since players were treated to a new Eeveelution, and Pokemon fans would adore another one. With eighteen types, there’s room for another nine.
1Pikachu
Electric, Generation 1
It practically goes without saying, but it’s still important to note that Pikachu will return inPokemon Legends Z-A.Pikachu has been thePokemon franchise’s mascotfor over 25 years, and it appears that Game Freak has no intention of changing this.
The trailer forPokemon Legends Z-Afollows Pikachu as he runs through the streets of Lumiose City. Although it shows no signs of Pichu or Raichu, it’s safe to assume that they will be available at some point in the game as well. In fact, if Mega Evolutions remains an important aspect of Kalos, there’s always the possibility that Raichu might be one of the latest Pokemon to be given a Mega Evolution.
