The story is set in Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon. Compared to Lumiose City as it appeared in the Pokémon X and  games, released in 2013, more greenery now adorns the city, alongside facilities with a cutting-edge feel.

In Lumiose City, spaces frequented by people—such as shopping arcades, cafés, and restaurants—coexist with more natural areas, such as waterfronts and verdant parks. At the center of Lumiose stands Prism Tower, the very symbol of the city.

While visiting Lumiose City, players will stay in an old hotel named Hotel Z and encounter the hotel’s owner, AZ—plus his partner Pokémon, Eternal Flower Floette, an unusual Floette that holds a black flower. This hotel will serve as players’ base of operations as they experience all sorts of adventures in Lumiose City alongside new and exciting characters, such as Urbain or Taunie—a new friend players will make throughout their adventures. The appearance players choose at the beginning of the game will determine which of the two they’ll meet.

As part of Lumiose’s urban redevelopment plan, driven by a large corporation called Quasartico Inc., the city has been outfitted with “wild zones” in an effort to help humans and Pokémon share the city. These areas are constructed using cutting-edge technology to give Pokémon places to live. Within wild zones, you can battle Pokémon and catch them by throwing Poké Balls.

New details have been announced for Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Explore Lumiose City
During the day, Trainers can explore the vibrant city and find Pokémon in wild zones, where they may encounter strong wild Pokémon known as alpha Pokémon. These Pokémon are larger than their regular counterparts, have glowing red eyes, and are particularly powerful and difficult to catch.

At night, players can also compete in the Z-A Royale and aim to climb the ranks, with battles against even more powerful Trainers awaiting as the player advances. One of those Trainers the player will face in a promotion match is Corbeau, the boss of an organization operating in Lumiose City called the Rust Syndicate.

All kinds of encounters await the player in Lumiose City. Emma is a detective who asks the player to track down missing Pokémon, locate missing items, and occasionally take part in Pokémon battles. Trainers can also assist Mable, the acting director of the Pokémon Research Lab, who analyses Pokémon and the reasons behind their growing populations. In return, players can receive TMs and other rewards for their help.

Players can also look forward to investigating Rogue Mega Evolution and discovering new Mega-Evolved Pokémon.

• Rogue Mega Evolution: Wild Pokémon are mysteriously Mega Evolving and rampaging through Lumiose City, and Trainers who help battle and calm them alongside Team MZ can obtain Mega Stones.
• Newly Discovered Mega-Evolved Pokémon: Mega Dragonite, with distinctive Dragonair-like features and enhanced speed and range in flight, is a newly revealed Mega-Evolved Pokémon.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 bundle

Nintendo of America announced a brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 bundle that combines the Nintendo Switch 2 system with the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition game.

Players can purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition bundle for the suggested retail price of $499.99 in the United States. Releasing simultaneously with the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition game on Oct. 16, the bundle includes the Nintendo Switch 2 system and the full game download for the Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition game.

Pre-orders for the bundle are available now on My Nintendo Store and select retailers.

You can catch wild Pokémon living in wild zones or out and about in Lumiose City by aiming a Poké Ball at them and letting it fly. If the Pokémon doesn’t pop back out of the ball, you’ve successfully caught it!

Some Pokémon will flee immediately if they spot you, so hide out of sight or approach from behind to make yourself harder to notice. You can also battle Pokémon to lower their HP, making them easier to catch.

In previous titles in the Pokémon video game series, Pokémon took action once per turn. In Pokémon Legends: Z‑A, Trainers and their Pokémon will move around in real time during battles, and Pokémon will unleash their moves when their Trainers command them to.

In addition to type matchups, there will be new gameplay mechanics to consider, such as the precise timing for swapping out your Pokémon or using moves, the different lengths of time moves will take to launch, and how big an area the moves will impact. This unprecedented style of Pokémon battling is one of the most thrilling parts of this title.

After arriving in Lumiose, certain events will lead you to befriending a Pokémon that will become your adventuring partner, thus beginning your journey as a Pokémon Trainer. Which Pokémon will you set off on your adventure with: Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile?

In Lumiose City, Trainers will sometimes be able to see Pokémon undergo Mega Evolution—a kind of Evolution that transcends standard Evolution. Effectively using Mega Evolution will likely be key to victory in Pokémon battles.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is coming to Nintendo Switch on October 16, 2025.