Why Pokémon Z-A Has Me Worried

With less than a month to go until the release of Pokémon Z-A, Nintendo has shared exciting new details about it in its September 12 Direct presentation. The hype reached its peak when the Mega Evolutions for the Kalos starter trio—Greninja, Chesnaught, and Delphox—were revealed. After twelve years, fans could finally look forward to receiving those Mega Stones…when they purchase a Nintendo Switch Online subscription and earn them as rewards through ranked battles in the ZA Battle Club?

OK…Well, Nintendo announced DLC was coming to the game! The Mega Dimension DLC will feature additional Mega Evolutions, including Raichu X and Y. It is already available for pre-order at $30…?

…Nintendo, are you OK?

Nintendo’s latest Direct has left the Pokémon community very anxious about the franchise’s future and how Game Freak will handle the upcoming release after the recent lackluster reception of some titles such as Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Scarlet and Violet. Kalos is beloved as the birthplace of Mega Evolution—a mechanic that fundamentally revolutionized Pokémon battling. Like many players, I was thrilled at the thought of returning to Kalos and experiencing Mega Evolution again after many years. However, following this recent update, even I find myself feeling apprehensive about a Pokémon release for the first time in years.

The Location

One of my biggest concerns about Pokémon Legends: Z-A is that the game is primarily set in Lumiose City. Pokémon’s charm comes from exploring various regions, discovering different towns, landmarks, and environments. Lumiose is one of the largest and most complex cities in the series. In Z-A, the city is undergoing redevelopment with “Wild Zones” being constructed to promote coexistence between people and Pokémon. While this opens up exciting new possibilities for the city, it also raises some concerns.

In addition to Mega Evolution, Kalos’s identity is shaped by its geography. The region is divided into three distinct areas: Central Kaloswith its lush forests and sprawling plains; Coastal Kalos, defined by sun-drenched beaches and rocky cliffs; and Mountain Kalos, a rugged landscape of marshes, peaks, and frozen tundra. Iconic landmarks like the Tower of Mastery in Shalour City, the Anistar Sundial, and the ancient stones of Geosenge Town serve as the cultural anchors of the region. Together, these vistas and monuments create the timeless charm that defines the Kalosian experience.

Legends: Z-A’s decision to confine the adventure to a single city is a bold gamble that risks losing the geographical variety that defined Kalos. For players, a single-city setting might feel monotonous and less adventurous than what they expect from a typical Pokémon game. Hopefully, Lumiose City’s redevelopment will compensate for this lack of horizontal scale by introducing new areas to explore with rooftops or sewers levels (crossing my fingers for French catacombs).

The Kalos Starter Mega Evolutions and the Paywall Problem

Now, let’s dive into the drama!

The decision to lock Mega Evolutions for the Kalos starters behind a paywall has sparked mass outrage within the Pokémon community. Instead of being earned through story progression or exploration, these Megas are listed as rewards for the ZA Battle Club’s online ranked battles, which require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. What should have been the crowning moment of Z-A is now perceived as an act of pure corporate greed. This decision alienates a massive base of players who are not involved in the competitive scene and who may not have the means to add a subscription to the game’s already high price tag.

It is especially frustrating because Kalos is the birthplace of Mega Evolution, yet its own starters have never been allowed to showcase the mechanic. Historically, Starter Pokémon from other generations have been the primary ambassadors for their region’s unique gimmicks. Yet, when X and Y introduced Mega Evolution in 2013, the spotlight was largely stolen by Kanto Pokémon specifically Charizard (who received two Mega forms), Blastoise, and Venusaur. The only Pokémon from the Kalos region to receive a Mega Evolution was Diancie, a Mythical Pokémon available only through a past limited-time event.

Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire were announced a year later, and the Hoenn starter trio—Blaziken, Sceptile, and Swampert—received their own Mega Evolutions. This made perfect sense because they were integral to the Hoenn region’s identity and their new Mega were the most anticipated features of the remakes. In 2016, when Sun and Moon introduced Z-Moves, the Alolan starters—Decidueye, Incineroar, and Primarina—received their own exclusive Z-Crystals and Z-Moves.

Now, Sword and Shield was a special case. The Gigantamax forms for Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon were initially paywalled behind the Expansion Pass. This move stirred backlash until more features were announced closer to the release date. The Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra were added as new explorable areas, an expanded Pokédex, new story content, new outfits, additional legendary Pokémon, and Dynamax Adventures.

Guess what? All this content was available for just $30! Looking back, it is incredible how much that price provided for a genuine expansion of the base game, which makes the current Z-A situation feel even more restrictive by comparison.

The Mega Dimension DLC

Speaking of DLC, let’s talk about the Mega Dimension DLC. Announcing paid DLC content before the base game has even hit shelves is a massive red flag, leaving fans to wonder how much content was stripped from the initial release just to be sold back to us later. Mega Dimension is scheduled to be available for purchase on October 16 and will cost $30, the same price as the Sword and Shield Expansion Pass. Our only information regarding its contents is pre-order bonuses, Hoopa, Spatial Distortions, and two new Raichu Mega Evolutions (yay, more Kanto Megas…).

So let’s do the math.

Let’s say you’re getting the Switch 2 ($499.99) + Pokémon Z-A Switch 2 Version ($69.99) + the DLC ($30) + then subscribing to Nintendo Online for a year ($19.99). That is a $620 investment before you even know if the base game is actually good or not. There is the option of the Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Legends: Z-A bundle that costs $499, but then you run the risk of not enjoying the game after playing it, which could result in it being left on your Switch system you can’t trade in or resell.

This business practice has exposed a growing rot in modern gaming. Companies are prioritizing profits over delivering a complete and fully playable experience. They pressure players to purchase additional content, pre-order bonuses, or subscriptions on top of the game’s already high base price. It makes even highly anticipated releases feel incomplete or unpolished as players feel they are not getting their money’s worth. This approach undermines trust in the industry and alienates loyal customers. Moreover, it fosters a culture of exploitation, where quality is sacrificed for monetization, leaving gamers frustrated and disillusioned with the products they once loved.

Where do I stand?

I have been a Pokémon fan for as long as I can remember, but for the first time, I’m approaching a new release with hesitation rather than excitement My faith in the franchise has been shaky since the disappointments of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and the disaster that was Scarlet and Violet. When I pre-ordered Z-A in August, I had high expectations for it to recapture the magic of Legends: Arceus which left a lasting impression on me. Returning to Kalos after 12 years feels surreal, and seeing Zygarde finally take center stage feels like a long-overdue dream come true.

However, following the latest Direct, my anxiety has skyrocketed. I am truly unsure if Z-A can live up to the high expectations I’ve set. Despite my criticisms, there are still things about the game I am genuinely looking forward to when it arrives: Mega Evolving my team, choosing between Chikorita or Totodile, seeing Emma back in the detective’s chair, and, of course, seeing my dear friend Malamar💜. I hope with all my heart that when Z-A is released, it surprises me in ways that remind me why I fell in love with Pokémon in the first place.

What about Pokémon Z-A excites you and what worries you?

🔥💧🌿I’d love to hear your answers in the comments!🔥💧🌿