ZA – all leaks and rumors explained

Even in a year where no major Pokémon games are released, Nintendo and Game Freak can't catch a break as information about the franchise leaks online. This time, a major multi-game leak also included information about Pokémon Legends: ZA, including a possible release window.

It's important to note that, according to a statement from Game Freak, much of this leaked information was released alongside unreleased files from older games, but all of the content was obtained through “unauthorized third-party access to our servers.” This comment from Game Freak focused on personal information, not the stolen documents, but until we get confirmation, this leaked content for Pokémon Legends: ZA should be taken lightly.

On October 12, an anonymous leaker began gaining access to backend servers and platforms for Game Freak and was reportedly able to extract 1TB of files from the company. This included unreleased game files, concept art, meeting notes, and more from various Pokémon projects.

Since then, the leaker and various other accounts have shared Pokémon beta designs, conversations between top executives at The Pokémon Company, source code for multiple Pokémon games, and hundreds of other files that were never intended to see the light of day. Dubbed “Teraleak” by the Pokémon community, this contains new information about Pokémon games, from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire to unreleased titles like Legends: ZA and Generation 10.

Although we didn't get as much information from the leaks surrounding Legends: ZA, the original leaker did note that they had played a beta version of the game that contained an almost complete main story. They also dropped a few key details about the game, but claimed that they wouldn't reveal much or share the source code they reportedly obtained through the breach.

None of the information we will discuss has been verified or shared by official Pokémon sourcesbut if you want to stay up to date on potential Legends: ZA content, you probably shouldn't read any further.

During the Pokémon Day Presents event on February 27, 2024, The Pokémon Company shared a first look at Pokémon Legends: ZA, with a 2025 release window attached to the trailer.

This move shocked many fans, as Pokémon tends to release at least one major game or expansion to the franchise every year. Since Scarlet and Violet's DLC ended with a small epilogue in January, ZA skipped 2024, leaving the fiscal year without a new release.

According to the leaker behind the Teraleak, Legends: ZA was originally scheduled to release in 2024, meaning it was delayed at some point if that's true. Whether or not this has anything to do with Scarlet and Violet's poor performance on Nintendo Switch and the outcry from vocal online fans to improve future titles will likely never be answered.

In addition to this tidbit about the delay, well-known Pokémon leaker Khu also chimed in, pointing out that Legends: ZA should release between April and July 2025, barring another push. It's also claimed that pre-orders for the game will be available before the end of the year, meaning a full release date should be announced in a Nintendo Direct this year.

In addition to information about the release window, the leaker released two important details about the new Mega Evolutions coming to the game.

We already knew that Mega Evolution would be coming back in Legends: ZA, thanks to a teaser at the end of the reveal trailer and what this mechanic means to the Kalos region – where Mega Evolving originates. Now it looks like Zygarde will play a much bigger role in the story of Legend: ZA than in X and Y, as Mega Zygarde was mentioned by the leaker and in a leaked conversation between Game Freaks Kazumasa Iwao, the director of Legends : Arceus and the most important Pokémon game director since Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Mega Zeraora was mentioned in the same conversation. Iwao and Ohmori mainly discuss the design of Mega Zygarde and Mega Zeraora, trying to properly coordinate things between the release of Legends: ZA and the anime team to try to include both at some point. This could mean that Mega Evolution appears in an anime project before or around Legends: ZA any further news or releases are announced.

In addition to the two new Mega Pokémon, the leaker notes that they caught a Stunfisk while playing the early version of the game. This may seem like an odd mention, but it's an important one as the leaker also pointed out that the sound for Shiny Pokémon spawning in the overworld is back, addressing one of the biggest complaints about Scarlet and Violet for hardcore players .

Related article: How to get Shiny Meloetta for free in Pokémon HOME

The game's art style is also noted to be closer to Scarlet and Violet than Legends: Arceus, although there aren't many details. The leaker said that the beta build they played also suffered from the same performance and bug issues as Scarlet and Violet, although it is unclear when the build they received was uploaded.

According to the Teraleaker and other leaks since the initial reveal, Legends: ZA appears to be set not in the distant past, but in modern times. We still don't know if this means this will act as a prequel or sequel to X and Y.

We already know that a key element of the game will be tied to the “Lumiose City urban renewal project,” and until then, the new organization teased in the Legends: ZA reveal trailer appears to be known by that name – Quasar in some form – be it as a team or as a foundation. It's claimed that Mable, one of the five Team Flare scientists you fight multiple times in X and Y, will show up as part of Quasar in some way.