The Pokémon Company shared new gameplay details for Pokemon Legends: Z-A during a Pokémon Presents stream, giving fans their first look at what awaits in Lumiose City.

The game features a day and night cycle that changes how players experience the city. During the day, trainers can explore Lumiose City and venture into wild zones where they might run into alpha Pokémon. These special creatures are bigger than regular Pokémon, have glowing red eyes, and are much harder to catch due to their increased power.

At night, players can participate in the Z-A Royale, a competitive mode where they battle to climb the rankings. As players advance, they’ll face tougher opponents, including Corbeau, who runs an organization called the Rust Syndicate that operates in Lumiose City.

The city is filled with characters who need help with various tasks. Emma works as a detective and will ask players to track down missing Pokémon, find lost items, and sometimes join her in battles. Players can also work with Mable, who runs the Pokémon Research Lab and studies why Pokémon populations are increasing.

A central mystery involves something called Rogue Mega Evolution, where wild Pokémon are mysteriously Mega Evolving and going on rampages throughout the city. Players can team up with Team MZ to battle and calm these out-of-control Pokémon, earning Mega Stones in the process. New gameplay details in  Pokemon Legends: Z-A also introduces newly discovered Mega-Evolved Pokémon, including Mega Dragonite.

Image Credit: NintendoPokémon Legends: Z-A will release on October 16, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 platforms. Players who buy the game early will get a special bonus: a Ralts holding a Gardevoirite stone. The game will be available in two versions: the standard Nintendo Switch edition and an enhanced Nintendo Switch 2 Edition that promises improved graphics and frame rates.