Another year. Another celebration of the Pokémon franchise on the day it first arrived in Japan with a number of announcements. There were the usual mobile game announcements, including a new pack heading for TCG Pocket tomorrow, but also a first look at Legends: Z-A after a year of silence. And a surprise in the form of something new. Something that competitive battlers are sure to enjoy.

Before that, the stop-motion series of Pokémon Concierge is returning in September! This Netflix series sees Haru helping out at the resort that takes care of both people and Pokémon. It was a delight to see the first four episodes, which are to be released on YouTube for a limited time. Though no footage was shown for the second season, we were still treated to some animation tests for Shinx, Arcanine, and Corphish. I’m hoping we see a trailer soon enough.

As for that new game, it’s one coming for mobile and the Switch. One which had a trailer showing various people coming together to battle across the years of the franchise. Then showing someone on a phone, held sideways, and the battle taking place on it. That they were connected to someone on a Switch. And then some cool visuals of the trainers alongside their Pokémon in a stadium.

Pokémon Champions is in development, with no date given. What is known is the game will connect to Pokémon Home, allowing whatever Pokémon a person has stored there to be brought into battle. Rather interestingly, this is a game being developed by The Pokémon Works – the joint venture between TPC and ILCA that formed last year. Though Game Freak still have some say in the project, as they are the one planning it out.

Naturally, this seems like a successor to the Pokémon Stadium games. What with its focus on battles. A select number of Pokémon will be available for those without any in Home, similar to the rental Pokémon of the Stadium games. There’ll also be multiple of the battle gimmicks available in the game, with Mega Evolution and Terastallisation shown in the trailer. I’m sure I’ll get some use out of Champions, though I’m not a serious battler. I’d also hope there’s more to this than just battles against others.

Though with Legends: Z-A providing a core solo experience, is there any need for it to do so? Yes, last of this Presents was a first look at this latest main series game. As alluded to with the teaser last year, the game is set entirely within Lumiose City of the Kalos region. Such did provide some questions that needed answering. The information provided did so with the most important ones.

For one, this city is looking huge. A proper urban expanse to explore. A lot greater than its portrayal in X and Y. Alongside the city streets, there’s paths along water, backstreet plazas, for more natural areas, and rooftops. Yes, rooftops. At certain buildings will be an indication that you can head up top, for an aerial adventure doing your best Spider-Man impersonation. Or as good as a Rotom Phone allows.

The other answer needed was how wild Pokémon would be encountered. Well, with habitats scattered across the city. Marked with green lights, and also numbered, these areas will allow for wild Pokémon to be encountered. There are areas where wild Pokémon and people can co-exist, with the more action-based catching of Legends: Arceus here and improved upon.

All through the trailer, the partner Pokémon – one of Chikorita, Totodile, or Tepig – has been visible. With wild encounters, they can help outside of a battle. Using a move to temporarily startle them to make a capture easier. Battles against trainers have also seen improvement, with positioning now being a factor in the outcome. Pokémon will follow your moves, with attacks having range to them. If not close enough, they will miss.

Both of those improvements seem great. I want to get to experiencing them for myself. But, there’s almost an entire year before that can happen. Pokémon Legends: Z-A is dated for a late 2025 release. So interacting with the people introduced in the trailer, and with the city, will have to wait for the last quarter of the year. I’m sure hoping more information will be coming very soon. Likely the next we’ll see of it will be June. Unless it features as part of the Switch 2 Direct.

There will be a lot to experience with Pokémon Legends: Z-A. That tease at the end speaks to some kind of battling tournament held in Prism Tower, which should be fun if that’s what it is. With a story that seems to put focus on Zygarde, this legend should be a great time. Even better if I can get myself an Eevee as early as I did with Legends: Arceus.

Images Taken From:
Pokémon Champions! | Announcement Trailer | The Official Pokémon YouTube
Pokémon Legends: Z-A Releases In Late 2025 | The Official Pokémon YouTube