Z-A’s Artwork Suggests This Pokemon’s Ongoing Decline Will Continue

One Pokemon has played a very specific role in the franchise’s most recent games, acting as a stand-in for various pieces of technology, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s official key artwork suggests that it is set to do so once again. Over the years, Pokemon games have introduced, improved, and reworked items and equipment, ranging from the classic Pokedex to the shiny hunters’ must-have Poke Radar. However, ever since Rotom possessed a Pokedex in Gen 7, that Pokemon has been forced to fill in for phones, bikes, PCs, and more, and this will happen again in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.

While trailers have already confirmed that Rotom Phones will return, with new features, in Legends: Z-A, the game’s official key artwork could indicate that Rotom will be burdened with even more roles. Though Legends: Z-A‘s art mainly focuses on Mega Evolutions and key characters, a satellite dish and screen in the background bears a striking resemblance to Rotom. Should Roton continue down this path after Legends: Z-A, the Pokemon will have gone from acting as a special encounter in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, and the only Electric/Ghost Pokemon, to a stale stand-in for Game Freak’s technology needs.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Box Art Shows One X and Y Character is in for a Major Glow Up

According to Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s recently released box art, one lesser-known Pokemon X and Y character is set to make a grand return

Pokemon Legends: Z-A May Continue Rotom’s Overuse

The current Rotom Phone debuted in Pokemon Sword and Shield, and it has become something of a franchise staple ever since, appearing in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the anime, and now Legends: Z-A. Even though other Pokemon games have explored smartphone-like alternatives, like Pokemon Legends: Arceus‘ Arc Phone and Pokemon Masters EX‘s Poryphone, Game Freak continues to rely heavily on Rotom. As a result, Rotom risks being undermined by its overuse, something that Legends: Z-A‘s key art suggests may already be the case.

Among several hidden details within Legends: Z-A‘s art, such as Mega Scizor’s ability to fly and the return of Furfrou’s trims, the Rotom-like satellite dish atop Lumiose City’s skyline could be a sign that the Pokemon will have even more roles to fill this time around. While it would make sense that Legends: Z-A‘s urban redevelopment creates a greater dependence on Rotom’s tech-savvy functionality, that idea would need to be strongly emphasized by the game’s story if Game Freak hopes to recapture the magic of Pokemon Sun and Moon‘s Rotom Dex. If it is not, Rotom will continue to feel like little more than a stand-in for technology, powering satellite broadcasts and televisions.

Rotom’s Decline in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Rotom was both distinctive and memorable when it debuted in Diamond and Pearl, as it was the only Electric/Ghost-type Pokemon, and it was found haunting a television. Platinum even enhanced Rotom’s uniqueness by adding type-changing forms based on household appliances, additions that also improved the Pokemon’s viability in competitive battles. However, these forms may be what prompted Game Freak to start using Rotom as a replacement for technology rather than a rare or special encounter, and here are some of the forms it has taken in recent years:

Rotom Phone
Rotom Bike
Drone Rotom
Roto-Stick
Rotomi terminals

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Art Could Be a Fakeout For Another Pokemon

Despite the likelihood that the satellite in Legends: Z-A‘s key art is based on Rotom, it is possible that Game Freak has other plans moving forward into the tenth generation. For example, the developer could be giving Rotom’s recent role to other Pokemon, whether that’s all-new Pokemon, new forms, or new evolutions. The satellite in the key art could even be based on alternative Pokemon, such as Claydol or Magnezone, and Legends: Z-A could be taking a break from Rotom’s tech-possessing powers, exploring new options, and avoiding any further decline for the Electric/Ghost Pokemon.