Last Updated on Aug 24, 2025 @ 23:48:15 PM.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is about to scratch the itch for hardcore fans and usher in a new generation of gaming and training. It has been a full year since Nintendo fans didn’t get any new content related to the franchise, and this could be an indication of the developers taking their sweet time to get it right. Recent titles have been a hit-or-miss from a technical standpoint, and the year off could allow them to polish this new title.
The game is only a few weeks away from being released, but some fans have managed to get their hands on it early. Nintendo unveiled new gameplay footage during this year’s Pokémon World, and may have shown a little too much. One of the latest details revealed is the return of manual evolution, but some fans have already been vocal about how disappointing it looks in-game.
Manual Evolution Is Back in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
The Pokémon franchise has seen better days, especially when things were simpler and more accepted by fans. In recent titles, the developers experienced hurdles trying to make new and exciting experiences for the Nintendo Switch consoles. Some fans ran into obvious performance issues, and it greatly overshadowed the quality of these titles.
In a surprising twist, Game Freak took the criticisms to heart and did not release any new mainline title in the past year to focus on Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The developers listened to the fans and made innovations by reusing features that were considered new by the fandom, such as manual evolution.
Just like in Pokémon Legends: Arceus you have to manually evolve Pokémon in Legends: Z-A.
— Centro LEAKS (@CentroLeaks) August 17, 2025
Here's the evolution animation.
pic.twitter.com/zzm0zO2OSb
Similar to other adaptations, most players or trainers grew attached to their partners and often refuse to go through evolution. This is a concept where their partners ascend to a much higher form and go through a change in appearance. This feature will give you more authority over when you are willing to let your partner become a much stronger version. Unfortunately, the new animation failed to impress some players.
They already had the best evolution animation they've ever done & didn't use it….. Massive L pic.twitter.com/U8Ln5vzRqF
— Mr Thvnksgivin (@MrThvnksgivin) August 17, 2025
Game Freak might have dropped the ball on this part, but it is worth noting that there are still weeks away from the release date. Perhaps the developers will make last-minute changes or listen to the community’s feedback to make the necessary improvements.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be released on October 16, 2025, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.
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Rouvin Josef Quirimit is a Content Writer, an avid gamer (on his PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch), and film enthusiast. He was fortunate to grow up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was enamored by the storytelling of a shared universe full of heart and spectacle. His love for movies led him to great single-player games and he intends to cover major franchises for years to come!
