Get ready, Trainers! Pokémon Legends ZA has finally arrived on the Nintendo Switch 2, and it’s doing something the series hasn’t quite pulled off before: putting real-time combat and strategic battles front and center while still keeping that classic Pokémon charm. This review is your chance to dive into a full, detailed exploration of the game’s highs, lows, and everything in between.
From the bustling streets of Lumio City to the chaotic ZA Royale battle zones, Pokémon Legends ZA is packed with moments that will make you rethink what Pokémon battles can be. But it’s not all smooth sailing—there are also areas where the game feels a little too constrained, and places where you’ll wish it offered more freedom to explore and experiment.
In this review, I’ll break down the combat mechanics, exploration, story beats, wild zones, and everything else that makes Pokémon Legends ZA a unique entry in the series. Whether you’re a longtime fan curious about the Switch 2 iteration, or a newcomer looking for your first taste of Legends gameplay, there’s plenty to discuss—and I’ll guide you through it all. So grab your Poké Balls, settle in, and let’s dive straight into the action-packed world of Pokémon Legends ZA!
Falling in Love With Pokémon Battles
We honestly never thought we’d fall in love with Pokémon battles. Traditionally, battles haven’t been the main reason we play Pokémon—there are plenty of RPGs out there where the combat itself is the highlight. Yet, Pokémon Legends ZA manages to do something truly special.
In the world of Lumio City, we actually look forward to fights. The game builds on the foundation set by 2022’s Legends Arceus, taking its smooth catching mechanics and vast environments, and then flips the focus from exploration to combat. Whereas Arceus made exploration the centerpiece, ZA brings battles to the forefront, and it largely succeeds in making combat feel fresh, exciting, and meaningful.
When a Pokémon spots you from a distance, or when you lock eyes with a trainer, the gameplay shifts dramatically. Gone are the days of repetitive attacks and obsessing over PP during long Elite 4 runs. Now, combat unfolds in real time, with a style reminiscent of Xenoblade’s fluid battle mechanics. You can move freely, dodge, and strategize dynamically—turning what used to be static sprites and animations into something much more alive.
Every move now has a purpose beyond type matchups. Attack distance, Pokémon speed, positioning, and timing all play crucial roles. For example, Totodile’s Bubble Beam can hit from afar but requires a longer charge, leaving you vulnerable if misused. Bite is quicker but puts Totodile closer to danger. Other moves, like Fire Spin and Toxic Spikes, allow for tactical setups, letting you control the battlefield and lure opponents into traps.
Even if you’re new to competitive Pokémon, these mechanics make you consider status effects, stat boosts, and spatial strategy in ways the series hasn’t emphasized before. Add Alpha Pokémon and Mega Evolution to the mix, and battles reach a new level of intensity. The transformations are snappy and dramatic, often mandatory for story-focused encounters, and they showcase the combat system’s full potential.
ZA Royale: Combat at Night
One of the key drivers of combat in Pokémon Legends ZA is the ZA Royale, which forms half of the game’s narrative structure. By day, Lumio City is full of cafes, boutiques, and fashion that’s undeniably stylish. By night, a battle zone awakens, filled with trainers looking to climb the ranks.
The ZA Royale system rewards strategic thinking, encouraging players to collect bonus cards that offer advantages for executing specific criteria—like defeating foes with certain moves or putting them to sleep. This makes battles consistently rewarding and engaging, rather than just optional side content.
As you progress, higher-level trainers enter the fray, keeping the gameplay challenging. There’s a tremendous satisfaction in sneaking into a new battle zone, grabbing bonus cards that complement your team, and taking down foes five levels above you with clever, super effective attacks. Even the moments when a trainer spots you at the last second add tension and excitement, rather than frustration.
Outside of the Royale, players work with Team MZ to tackle rogue Mega Evolutions threatening the city. These battles resemble MMO-style raid fights: you observe patterns, dodge attacks, exploit weaknesses, and Mega Evolve for maximum impact. They are a masterclass in engaging combat design, demonstrating the importance of space, movement, and timing, all while keeping battles fun and tense.
Smooth Performance and Technical Highlights
Thanks to the Switch 2’s hardware, Legends ZA runs impressively well. The game maintains a steady 60fps, with only minor dips in extremely chaotic late-game battles or during fast menu navigation. This performance consistency ensures that the fluid combat remains satisfying and responsive, even during intense encounters.
However, the visual presentation leaves something to be desired. While Pokémon animations are delightful, Lumio City itself feels a bit lifeless. The Switch 2’s potential is evident, yet the city lacks the vibrancy and personality that would elevate the game’s visuals. This is particularly disappointing when compared to the watercolor aesthetic of Legends Arceus or even New Pokémon Snap, which feels far more lively and dynamic despite being on rails.
Exploration: A Mixed Bag
Exploration in Pokémon Legends ZA is a double-edged sword. Lumio City is dense and full of alleyways, rooftops, cafés, boutiques, and hidden market stalls. There are verticality challenges and rewards scattered around, creating pockets of interest. You can even spot Pokémon like bird Pokémon fluttering on rooftops or monkeys perched in trees.
Yet, despite this density, the city ultimately feels compact and constrained. Within about five hours, we had explored most of the accessible areas. Wild zones exist but are smaller, isolated, and lack the sense of adventure that made Legends Arceus so magical. Pokémon are often restricted to tiny pens or small urban pockets, which diminishes the thrill of exploration.
This restriction becomes even more noticeable given that Lumio City houses roaming Pokémon, like Anova monkeys or Fletchlings on rooftops. The contrast between the limited “wild zones” and free-roaming city Pokémon makes the confinement feel artificial.
Pokémon Catching: Still Fun, but Limited
The catching mechanics remain faithful to the series’ roots, with the Arceus-inspired system returning. It’s fast, fluid, and engaging, requiring you to put yourself at some risk to capture Pokémon. However, the limited size of wild zones and the confined city environment mean that discovering Pokémon is less magical than in previous entries.
While some mechanics like status effects and distraction tools return, they feel somewhat stripped back compared to Arceus. There’s less freedom to experiment, and it feels like the game is holding your hand a little too much in certain scenarios.
Combat: The Heart of ZA
It cannot be overstated: the combat in Pokémon Legends ZA is absolutely phenomenal. Moves are exciting to unlock, and even traditionally weaker moves, like Leer or Growl, find situational usefulness in battle. The real-time mechanics, spatial awareness, and freedom of movement make combat the most enjoyable in decades of Pokémon gameplay.
The juxtaposition is striking. You have some of the most vibrant, dynamic battles in Pokémon history set against a cityscape that feels lifeless. The contrast between lively mechanics and sterile environments is one of ZA’s most unusual yet defining traits.
Even with environmental shortcomings, the combat mechanics are unmatched. Real-time attacks, movement-based dodging, Mega Evolutions, and the need to consider space and timing elevate the experience. Even weaker moves, when used creatively, find relevance.
This layered, engaging combat system is a high point that makes Legends ZA worth playing, even if other aspects of the game feel limited. The gameplay encourages experimentation, strategy, and creativity in ways that are rare for Pokémon.
Critiques: Lumio City and Environmental Design
Lumio City, despite being dense, is hampered by design choices. Vertical walls prevent exploration beyond ladders or teleportation points, and chase sequences, like those involving Zygarde, often restrict movement unnecessarily. Missions like carrying rubbish or navigating a partially “wild” area feel artificial due to speed caps and limited player agency.
Overall, the environment rarely matches the vitality of combat, leaving exploration feeling tedious and underwhelming at times. The city’s NPC population is sparse, and interaction rarely goes beyond basic dialogue or incidental Pokémon encounters.
Voice Acting and Storytelling
Another area that could have enhanced Legends ZA is voice acting. While not essential, even partial voice work could add character and emotional depth. Games like Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild use minimal voice acting effectively to enrich story and cutscenes. ZA, focusing on themes like friendship, recovery, and forgiveness, could benefit from this subtle layer of immersion.
The Wild Zones: Missed Potential
The Wild Zones, arguably the cornerstone of Pokémon exploration, are underwhelming. Unlike previous games where Pokémon were scattered across fields, rivers, and forests, ZA confines them to small, urban plots. While some roaming Pokémon exist within the city, the overall sense of discovery is lost. The Pokédex lacks variety, and the return of Mega Evolutions helps but doesn’t fully compensate.
In short, while combat has been greatly improved, exploration and Pokémon catching feel restricted and less magical, reducing the game’s overall charm.
Personal Thoughts: The Mix of Joy and Frustration
Having spent significant time with Legends ZA, my feelings are mixed. There’s so much to love about the game—combat, new moves, Mega Evolutions, and strategic depth—but a lot of potential is squandered by the design of Lumio City.
The game’s core loop is compelling. Unlocking new moves, engaging in tactical battles, and experimenting with Pokémon strategies is thrilling. However, the city’s sterile environment, limited wild zones, and unnecessary constraints in movement diminish the experience.
For instance, chase sequences and basic missions often restrict player agency in ways that feel unnecessary and frustrating. Speed caps and teleportation mechanics make exploration feel less exciting, removing the sense of organic discovery that the series is known for.
Conclusion: A Game Worth Playing, But Not Perfect
Pokémon Legends ZA is a game of juxtapositions. On one hand, you have some of the most dynamic, engaging combat in Pokémon history. On the other, you have a lifeless city, small wild zones, and limited exploration that hold the game back from true greatness.
For newcomers on the Switch 2, ZA is a solid entry point for the franchise, especially if you’re drawn to real-time combat and strategic depth. However, for fans of exploration and the magical sense of discovery that Pokémon is known for, it may feel constrained and limited.
Ultimately, Legends ZA earns a 7/10. It’s a game worth celebrating for its innovative combat mechanics and smooth performance, but it leaves fans longing for more freedom, more discovery, and a world as vibrant as the battles themselves.
Final Thoughts
In the end, Pokémon Legends ZA is a game of highs and lows. The combat is exhilarating, moves feel impactful, and the real-time system adds unprecedented excitement. Yet, Lumio City’s design, limited wild zones, and lack of environmental vitality prevent it from reaching its full potential.
If you can embrace a city-focused Pokémon adventure and a combat-first approach, ZA is a rewarding experience. But those seeking the magic of open exploration may feel slightly disappointed. The future of the Legends series will depend on recapturing that sense of freedom while retaining the brilliant real-time combat that ZA so clearly nails.
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