Z-A’s Release Window Just Got Smaller Thanks To The TCG

Summary

• The
  Pokémon TCG
  may hint at the release of
  Pokémon Legends: Z-A
  in late 2025 based on set announcements.
• Speculation suggests that the game will debut in Q3 or Q4, as upcoming sets do not focus on
  Z-A
  .
• Fans anticipate
  Z-A
  on the rumored Nintendo Switch 2, with Game Freak yet to share many details.

While Game Freak may not have announced when players can expect Pokémon Legends: Z-A to arrive, fans believe thePokémon Trading Card Game may reveal more insight into the spinoff. With the initial trailer stating that the next entry in the popular Legends spinoff series will be available at some point in 2025, the vague window has many wondering when exactly the game will launch, especially given Nintendo’s looming announcement of new hardware. Based on recent reports, it seems more and more likely that Legends: Z-A will launch on the so-called Nintendo Switch 2.

Per a post on Reddit by Joseki100, the user notes that Pokémon Legends: Z-A will likely be released in the back half of 2025 based on the set announcements for the Trading Card Game.

Since the TCG is designed to coordinate with the latest video game release, an expansion theme is usually a decent way to predict when a game will debut. The Pokémon Company has already revealed the sets for the first half of 2025 and since none of them are themed around Legends: Z-A, it’s a safe bet the spinoff will launch in Q3 or Q4.

What To Expect From Legends: Z-A

Heading Back To Kalos

Despite being announced in February 2024, Game Freak has yet to shed much light on Legends: Z-A, even though the reveal trailer did confirm a few details. The game will largely be set in and around Lumiose City, the capital of the Kalos Region which debuted in Pokémon X& Y, and based on the title’s font the Legendary Pokémon Zyngarde will play a key role in the narrative. The wireframe visuals suggest that Z-A could take place in the future, although this has yet to be confirmed.

What’s perhaps most exciting about Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the prospect of it debuting on Nintendo’s next console. The company has confirmed that it plans on unveiling its next hardware generation before the end of Q2 2025, meaning that if Z-A does release in the back half of the year, there’s a chance it could be a launch title for the “Switch 2.” It’s worth noting that while signs suggest this to be the case, nothing is set in stone so a grain of salt is recommended ahead of an official announcement.

Given the success of Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has a lot riding on its release. The previous mainline Pokémon generation, Scarlet & Violet, was blasted by fans and critics alike for its poor optimization and overly buggy launch. One can only hope the next major release has enough time in the oven to recover some of Game Freak’s reputation.

Source: Joseki100/Reddit