ZA's leaked starters are a controversy waiting to happen

Game Freak was recently the target of a massive data breach consisting of over a tera of files, and as a result was given the name “Teraleak” online, including information about it Pokemon Legends: ZA and Gen 10. The hacker responsible for this released a lot of them Pokémon Files and documents online that are currently being shared on social media by leak aggregators such as Centro Leaks. The leaks include everything from Pokémon From concept art revealing Mimikyu's true form to written lore about the origins of the game's universe – most of which were never meant to see the light of day. Among the various leaks is an image of the Pokémon World Championship in 2025, which shows three starters that could well be these Pokemon Legends: ZA.

Pokemon Legends: ZA will be the next major release in the series, rumored to be coming to both the regular Nintendo Switch and its all but confirmed successor, temporarily called Nintendo Switch 2 online. Considering that the title has the same name as Pokémon Legends: ArceusIt's safe to assume they'll share some themes and turn it into a regular series of games. Therefore, the new game's starters are one of the most important things fans want to know, but they might be pretty obvious.

Pokemon Legends: ZA starter leaks explained

Why Pokemon Legends: ZA's starters could be Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie

The leaked image, which fans can view here, shows several animals traveling to the 2025 Pokémon World Championship in Anaheim, California. Some of these Pokemon are more recognizable than others, particularly the three starters from Gen 6 games Pokémon X and Y: Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie. Typically, promotional images for the Pokémon World Championship feature some of the newest Pokémon that have appeared in recent games. Therefore, it seems no coincidence that the 2025 championship features Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie.

Finally, Pokemon Legends: ZA will be released in 2025, barring major changes, and it's likely to hit stores in the first half of the year. Given that the Gen 6 starters never received Mega Evolutions or new forms, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to think that they will actually be the starters in the Kalos set Pokemon Legends: ZA. The game will feature Megas, and the Teraleak even revealed that Pokemon Legends: ZA will have new Mega Evolutions for Zygarde and Zeraora, so it would make a lot of sense for the Gen 6 starters to return and get new forms and/or Mega Evolutions.

Since this information was revealed, many fans have expressed disappointment at the idea of ​​having to play with the same starters as Gen 6, even if they happen to have new forms. This would also break away from the trend that has begun Pokémon Legends: Arceuswhich instead introduced first-partner Pokémon from three different regions, gave each of them a Hisuian regional form, and then also made the original Gen 4 starters available to catch. What follows is what you would expect Pokemon Legends: ZA having new starters compared to Gen 6.

This could still be the case, as the image is not necessarily a representation of the starters from Gen 6, precisely because they can be found in this new version of Kalos and are also getting some love in the form of new Mega Evolutions, for example. Otherwise, the fact that Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie are in the starting lineup could disappoint many players and lead to a massive backlash against this decision. It remains to be seen exactly how this will play out, and things could still change as Game Freak considers a delay Pokemon Legends: ZAPost teraleak release date.

Pokémon Legends: ZA

Pokémon Legends: ZA is an ambitious new entry in the Pokémon video game series, launching simultaneously worldwide in 2025. A new adventure awaits you in Lumiose City, where a city redevelopment plan is underway to make the city a place that belongs to both humans and Pokémon.

systems

franchise

Pokémon

Released

2025