With Pokémon Legends: Z-A just days from release on October 16, 2025, leaks have erupted across the community — and this time they’re revealing major mechanics, new Mega Evolutions, and even story spoilers. Whether you’re here to satisfy curiosity or plan your team in advance, here’s a complete breakdown of what’s surfaced so far.
Early Copies and Datamines Begin
As with many Pokémon releases, several players reportedly received early retail copies, leading to screenshots, datamines, and gameplay clips circulating online. These early leaks confirm the return of Mega Evolution, which appears to be a central gameplay mechanic rather than a late-game feature.
Dataminers have already uncovered move lists, items, and partial Pokédex data, hinting that Game Freak may have streamlined combat and item balance for the dual launch on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 platforms.
The Return of Mega Evolution
26 New Megas Confirmed
Multiple reliable sources indicate that Pokémon Legends: Z-A will feature 26 brand-new Mega Evolutions, alongside returning favorites from Pokémon X & Y. The leaks showcase a blend of Kanto, Kalos, and Johto Pokémon, many receiving competitive redesigns.
Confirmed new Megas include:
- Mega Dragonite – A sleeker, serpentine form inspired by Dragonair, featuring winged horns and a luminous tail pearl.
- Mega Victreebel – Retains Grass/Poison typing with more aggressive vine appendages emphasizing its carnivorous traits.
- Mega Scolipede – Gains metallic armor plating and higher base Speed.
- Mega Drampa and Mega Chandelure – Both seen in leaked screenshots, reworking older fan favorites.
- Mega Scrafty, Mega Clefable, and Mega Froslass – Additional forms confirmed through datamined gallery images.
Mega Raichu X & Y Forms
Perhaps the most surprising revelation is that Raichu will receive two distinct Mega Evolutions — an X and a Y form — making it the third Pokémon ever to do so, after Charizard and Mewtwo. Each form reportedly emphasizes either electric agility or psychic control.
See also: How to Get Ferroseed in Pokémon GO: Is Ferroseed Shiny?
Mega Dimension DLC Leak
Dataminers also uncovered early references to a DLC titled “Mega Dimension.” According to the leak, this expansion will add further Mega Evolutions post-launch and deepen the lore around Lumiose City’s Mega research program.
While Nintendo has yet to confirm official release timing, the DLC is expected to introduce additional Mega stones and challenges in a new battle environment beneath the city.
Story and Setting: Back to Lumiose City
12 Years After X & Y
Leaked narrative files suggest Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes place 12 years after the events of X & Y, returning players to an evolved Lumiose City — now featuring a complex underground network of research labs and battle arenas.
Lysandre’s Return
Character model leaks have confirmed that Lysandre, the enigmatic leader of Team Flare, will reappear with a redesigned outfit and possible connection to Mega technology. His storyline seems central to the new Mega evolution phenomenon, potentially tying the player’s rise “from Z to A” to a deeper conspiracy.
The Underground Lumiose Zone
Screenshots of the Lumiose Underground show players navigating sewer-like tunnels, laboratories, and a rumored “Battle Club” area — possibly a new form of repeatable high-level content similar to Battle Frontier challenges.
Controversial Gameplay Change: Forced Auto-Save
One of the more divisive leaks reveals that Pokémon Legends: Z-A will force auto-saving to remain enabled, removing the manual toggle seen in past titles.
While this modernizes the save system, it has frustrated Shiny hunters who rely on soft resets for rare encounters. The only adjustable options appear to be text speed, minimap rotation, and controller rumble, making manual control over save timing impossible.
It’s unclear how frequent the auto-save intervals are, but fans worry it could complicate competitive breeding or starter resets.
Rumors and Type Changes
Unofficial 4chan leaks mention selective type changes for certain Mega Evolutions — though none have been verified. Some speculate that Mega Victreebel or Mega Dragonite could receive secondary typing adjustments to complement their new designs.
See also: The Best Electric Type Pokémon in Legends Z-A: Why Jolteon Dominates the New Battle System
Additionally, one unnamed Mega Pokémon allegedly cut from the final list has stirred speculation — with Zeraora believed to be the removed candidate.
Complete Pokemon Legends Z-A leaks
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total New Megas | 26 confirmed |
| Known Megas | Dragonite, Victreebel, Raichu X/Y, Drampa, Chandelure, Scrafty, Scolipede, Clefable, Froslass |
| Major DLC | Mega Dimension expansion |
| Story Setting | Lumiose City, 12 years after X & Y |
| Main Antagonist | Lysandre returns |
| Key Area | Lumiose Underground (battle and research zone) |
| Gameplay Change | Auto-save permanently enabled |
If the leaks hold true, Pokémon Legends: Z-A could represent the most ambitious mechanical leap since Legends: Arceus. The sheer scale of new Mega forms and post-launch DLC implies Game Freak is positioning Z-A as a long-term platform title for both Switch 2 and late-generation Switch owners.
The shift toward a persistent world — complete with automatic saves and seamless exploration — suggests a move closer to the open-world RPG model Nintendo has been refining since Breath of the Wild.
