February 27 marks Pokémon Day—a total celebration for fans like me, packed with reveals that get everyone buzzing. From anime updates to spin-offs, there’s always something big. Today, I’m diving into two standouts: a fresh new title from the 2025 Pokémon Presents and the latest on Pokémon Legends Z-A. These are the ones that hit home for me—and, let’s be real, most of you too.
Pokémon Champions
The latest game unveiled at Pokémon Presents 2025 is Pokémon Champions, and it’s all about battling—the heart of every Pokémon title. What sets it apart? Each game has its own battle gimmick, like Mega Evolution or Dynamax, and Pokémon Champions looks to roll them all into one epic package. As a battle fan, I’m calling it now: this will be a game-changer. Hardcore players have relied on Pokémon Showdown—an unofficial simulator—for online battles outside the main series, leaving us wondering why Pokémon never made their own version. Well, it’s finally here.
We don’t yet know the full details—how it’ll work, what it’ll cost, or when it’ll drop. They’ve just teased “stay tuned for future updates.” But one thing’s clear: the future of Pokémon battling is looking bright. Making it available on mobile too? That’s a massive win to pull in new players. I’m pumped to learn more, and you bet I’ll be playing this nonstop.
Pokémon Legends Z-A
This is it—the update I’ve been dying for: more on Pokémon Legends Z-A! After a full year of silence since its first tease, yesterday’s Pokémon Presents finally spilled some details, and I’m already sold. It’s looking like a total standout. I’m breaking down the key stuff they showed and sharing what I think (and hope) they’re building toward—let’s dive in!
Starter Pokémon
Game Freak definitely caught everyone off guard with their announcement for the starter Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Instead of introducing completely new starters or sticking with the classic Kanto trio, they went with Chikorita and Totodile from Generation 2, alongside Tepig from Generation 5. This is a unique choice, especially since these three haven’t been in the spotlight much in recent years. Giving them the attention they deserve in Legends Z-A feels like a deliberate move to breathe new life into these underappreciated starters.
But how exactly will they handle them? There are two likely possibilities. First, similar to Legends: Arceus, they could introduce new regional evolutions for their final forms. The second option is keeping their original final evolutions intact while giving them Mega Evolutions instead. Personally, I think they’ll go with the first approach. These starters aren’t the most popular within the community, so a complete redesign of their final evolutions could generate excitement. While Mega Evolutions would still work, I suspect they’ll save that feature for the original Kalos starters to tie into the game’s setting.
Chikorita was shown in the trailer using ‘Disarming Voice,’ a Fairy-type move, which has sparked speculation that Meganium might gain the Fairy typing. I think this would be a fantastic change. It fits Meganium’s gentle, supportive nature and could give it a much-needed competitive edge. Whether through a new regional form or a Mega Evolution, a Grass/Fairy typing would be a natural and fitting choice. If this change happens, it could make Meganium a more viable option for battle, adding versatility beyond just being a defensive tank.
Tepig’s final evolution, Emboar, is already a Fire/Fighting type, a combination that has been done multiple times in past generations. While they could keep this, I think they might take a more unique approach. A Fire/Dragon typing would make Emboar stand out, as no previous starter has ever gained the Dragon type. This change would maintain its Fire advantage against Meganium while keeping a weakness to Fairy-type moves, balancing the dynamic between the three starters. A Fire/Dragon Emboar would feel fresh, powerful, and thematically fitting, reinforcing its image as a fierce, unstoppable force.
Totodile has always been a fan favorite, but out of the three, it’s my personal favorite. That said, I might not pick it this time because I’m hoping the original Kalos starters will be available later. If that happens, Greninja would be my immediate choice. But if they give Feraligatr the Steel typing, I might reconsider.
A Water/Steel typing would round out the secondary typings among the three starters, adding a layer of strategic balance. Steel would give Feraligatr a strong defense while allowing it to counter Fairy-types like a potential Grass/Fairy Meganium. Meanwhile, its Water typing would still be useful against Emboar. I’ve always loved Steel-types, so seeing a new Water/Steel starter would be an exciting addition to the game.
Timeline
With Legends: Arceus taking place in the past, many assumed that Pokémon Legends: Z-A would follow the same approach. However, Game Freak surprised us by confirming that this game will actually be set in the future, after the events of Pokémon X/Y. Exactly how far into the future remains unknown for now.
I personally like this decision. It keeps the Legends games from becoming too predictable, allowing the franchise to explore different time periods instead of always looking backward. This flexibility makes each installment feel fresh and distinct from the mainline games. With this approach, Game Freak has the freedom to experiment and surprise us with each new Legends title, instead of following a standard formula.
Battle Mechanic
Pokémon has been known for its turn-based battle system for years, and it has remained largely unchanged. The faster Pokémon typically goes first, with some exceptions. Legends: Arceus introduced ‘Agile Style’ and ‘Strong Style’ to shake up the mechanics, but the core turn-based system stayed intact. That is, until now.
In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, battles will feature the ability to dodge attacks, making them feel more dynamic—more like the battles in the anime. I absolutely love this change, as it brings Pokémon battles closer to how we’ve always imagined them. Successfully dodging an attack and countering right after will add an exciting layer of strategy. Of course, less agile Pokémon might struggle with this mechanic, but the potential for a more immersive combat experience is huge.
Another major change appears to be the removal of Power Points (PP) for moves. Traditionally, each move had a limited number of uses before reaching zero, requiring players to strategize and use items to restore PP. However, based on the trailer, it looks like moves will now have cooldowns instead, meaning you’ll have to wait for a move to recharge before using it again. This shift makes battles feel more fluid and forces players to think carefully about their moveset choices. You won’t be able to rely solely on four slow-recharging moves—unless, of course, there’s a way to make that work strategically!
This new battle system has the potential to completely redefine Pokémon combat, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
It’s safe to say that I’m excited to see what 2025 will bring when it comes to Pokémon. The only downside is that the release date isn’t officially confirmed just yet, only stating ‘Late 2025’. But let’s hope that it’s going to be worth it in the end and that Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be an incredible game. I’ve predicted that it will make it into my top three favorite Pokémon games—what do you think?