Pokémon Legends: Z-A: everything we know so far

By Jesse Lennox March 2, 2024

On Pokemon Day 2024, we were treated to a sneak peek at a second entry in the Legends series, Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Promising to be an ambitious new adventure in the world of Pokemon, a lot of questions sprung up after the announcement. So far, we still have more questions than answers, but some careful investigation and digging have given us a better understanding of what’s in store with this title. It may not be the next full-generation title, but there’s a lot to be excited about with this title, so let’s dive into everything we know about it thus far.

Contents

Release date window
Platforms
Trailers
Gameplay
Preorder

Release date window

A neon city in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. — Game Freak

Pokémon Legends: Z-A has a release window of 2025, but that’s all we know for now. The only other little detail given is that it will be a simultaneous worldwide release, which we would’ve expected anyway.

Recommended Videos

Platforms

Pokemon runing in a neon city in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. — Game Freak

It should go without saying, but Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be a Switch exclusive. However, it was specifically stated to be coming to “Nintendo Switch systems,” which may imply a version on the current Switch and another on whatever next-generation console Nintendo is cooking up. Take that with a grain of salt.

Trailers

Pokemon Legends Z-A Official Reveal Trailer

The reveal trailer for Pokémon Legends: Z-A is brief but does hide some secrets fans have sniffed out. The most obvious is that this game will take us back to Lumiose City, first featured in X and Y. Later, Nintendo clarified that the game will not only be focused on this city but set entirely within it. As to who we are and what we’re doing in the city is still unknown. Fans speculate that the digital and futuristic style of the trailer is hinting at the game being set in the future, contrasting how Arceus was set in the past, but this is all just theorizing.

Gameplay

Pokemon runing in a neon city in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. — Game Freak

Being set within a single city is quite a departure from the past Legends game, which introduced us to an open-world-style game. We expect the entire city to be open to us and greatly expanded in scope, but who knows how the mechanics and flow of the game will change to accommodate this.

All we can do is guess, but we don’t expect a massive departure from the gameplay established in Legends Arceus and Scarlet and Violet, though we know that the Mega Evolutions will return here.

Preorder

We are still at least a year away from Pokémon Legends: Z-A, if not more, so preorders are still far off. Once the release date is set and preorders open, count on us to give you all the information.

Topics

Jesse Lennox has been a writer at Digital Trends for over four years and has no plans of stopping. He covers all things…

Computing

Steam Deck 2: everything we know so far

Steam Deck held between two hands.

It's a matter of when we'll see the Steam Deck 2, not if we'll see it. Valve has talked publicly multiple times about its plans for a next-gen Steam Deck, which shouldn't come as a surprise given that the original is easily the best handheld gaming PC you can buy.

Although the Steam Deck 2 is still a few years off, Valve has been dropping hints about the handheld for a while. Here's everything we know about the Steam Deck 2 right now, from the possible release date to details on specs and performance.
Steam Deck 2: release date speculation

Gaming

The Sims 5: everything we know so far

After over a decade of support and expansions with The Sims 4, we were all ready for the next entry in this hit life-simulator series. Rumors of a Project Rene were our first signs that EA was working on some sort of follow-up, which many assumed was The Sims 5. There was even a preview video detailing a few of the new features this next step in the Sims franchise would take. However, late in 2024 EA detailed the future plans for the series and, sadly, The Sims 5 is not a part of it. If you're a bit lost on whether The Sims 5 is canceled, what's going on with Project Rene, and what will happen with The Sims 4, we'll explain the entire story.
Is The Sims 5 canceled?

Technically The Sims 5 was never officially confirmed to be in development so it isn't clear whether it was canceled, but we do know that EA and Maxis are not currently working on a new installment in the franchise. EA's statement on the matter reads: "We’re focused on creating a variety of games and experiences that will touch different categories across the simulated life genre including cozy games, social and collaborative based gameplay, mobile narrative games and continued depth, improvements and modernization of The Sims 4, which will continue to be a foundational Sims experience."

Gaming

Project Rene: everything we know so far

Confused Sims.

Originally, we were thoroughly convinced that Project Rene was just a code name for what would evolve into The Sims 5. However, EA has shot down that idea by explicitly telling us that there will not be a true sequel and that support will continue for the ongoing Sims 4. But it didn't say that Project Rene was canceled, either. Instead, Project Rene is going to live on and be its own experience alongside The Sims 4. This whole situation is somewhat complex and nebulous, but we've gathered all the solid information we could about Project Rene.
Release date speculation

Project Rene has no release date or window at this time. It has been in the works since at least 2022 and has had playtests in the past, another is scheduled for fall 2024. This does point to it being at least in a somewhat presentable state, but it could easily be another year or more until it is fully complete.