Z-A May Have Already Sidelined A Key Pokemon

While the official artwork for Pokemon Legends: Z-A touches on its defining features, ranging from Mega Evolutions to Lumiose City’s skyline, the absence of one particular Pokemon from the game’s cover could be a sign of things to come. Since Game Freak has followed a simple yet specific formula with the artwork of its mainline Pokemon series, each game cover establishes a strong, clear identity by focusing on its mascot Legendary Pokemon, dual namesakes, and even their colors if applicable. However, Pokemon Legends: Z-A might mark a change in Game Freak’s approach after the game’s presumed Legendary mascot was omitted from its case cover.

Following Legends: Z-A‘s announcement in early 2024, it was initially theorized that Zygarde would play a key role due to its ties to Pokemon X and Y‘s Legendary trio, Kalos, and Legends: Z-A‘s subtitle. However, despite its Gen 7 comeback and brief appearances in Legends: Z-A‘s trailers, the game’s artwork appears to indicate a shift in focus from Zygarde as a potential mascot to Mega Evolutions and the Z-A Royale. While this might not be bad news for Zygarde, it could set new expectations for the role of Legendary Pokemon in Legends: Z-A and future Pokemon Legends games.

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The Pokemon Company Reveals New Mega Evolution Art for Legends: Z-A

Following the reveal of Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s release date, The Pokemon Company shares new artwork of some returning Mega Evolution forms.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Cover Art Appears to Cut Out Zygarde

Even though Zygarde technically features in the full version of Legends: Z-A‘s cover, only one of its cores is present and seems to have been sidelined in the artwork in favor of Mega Evolved Pokemon, the game’s starter trio, and key characters. Additionally, only the cells, cores, and Zygarde’s 10% form have appeared in Legends: Z-A‘s trailers so far, meaning that the Legendary Pokemon’s two most memorable forms have also been left out of the picture. While it’s more than likely these 50% and Complete forms will also be included in Legends: Z-A, it ultimately seems that the game’s focus has been on everything else except for Zygarde.

It would make sense if Game Freak planned to keep Legends: Z-A‘s approach to Zygarde under wraps until its release, but its past use of mascot Legendary Pokemon, such as Gen 9’s Koraidon and Miraidon or Gen 8’s Zamazenta and Zacian, has arguably been not as secretive. Alternatively, Game Freak may have decided to highlight Legends: Z-A‘s most anticipated features instead of its Legendary Pokemon, such as the return of Mega Evolutions or its all-new battling system. Yet on the other hand, it still seems like an oversight to not reveal more about Zygarde, especially as a successor to Pokemon Legends: Arceus.

Mascot Pokemon Might Not Be The Focus of Pokemon Legends

While Arceus had a supporting role in Legends: Arceus‘ story rather than driving it, and it didn’t appear on the game’s cover art, the Legendary Pokemon’s inclusion in the game’s title still set an expectation for future Pokemon Legends games. However, with Zygarde’s prospective role in Legends: Z-A appearing to be just as secondary, it could be an indication that Legendary or Mythical Pokemon were never intended to be the focus of Pokemon Legends, unlike the mainline series. Therefore, even though Zygarde could still factor into Legends: Z-A‘s story, speculation about future Pokemon Legends games and potential mascots might need to be revisited and scaled back.

Rethinking Zygarde’s Role in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Given what’s been revealed so far about Legends: Z-A‘s characters, setting, story, and gameplay, it still seems likely that players will again collect cells just as they did in Gen 7, suggesting that they will eventually add Zygarde to their party. Moreover, Legends: Z-A‘s urban redevelopment plot and the disruption of ecosystems is a perfect fit for Zygarde’s lore as the Order Pokemon. But the introduction of the titular Z-A Royale and its wish-granting prize could instead be the key to Legends: Z-A, with human ambition and greed shaping the game’s story, rather than a Legendary Pokemon.