While the official artwork forPokemon Legends: Z-Atouches on its defining features, ranging from Mega Evolutions to Lumiose City’s skyline, the absence of one particular Pokemon from the game’s cover could be a sign of things to come. Since Game Freak has followed a simple yet specific formula with the artwork of its mainlinePokemonseries, each game cover establishes a strong, clear identity by focusing on its mascot Legendary Pokemon, dual namesakes, and even their colors if applicable. However,Pokemon Legends: Z-Amight mark a change in Game Freak’s approach after the game’s presumed Legendary mascot was omitted from its case cover.
FollowingLegends: Z-A’s announcement in early 2024, it was initially theorized thatZygarde would play a key roledue to its ties toPokemon XandY’s Legendary trio, Kalos, andLegends: Z-A’s subtitle. However, despite its Gen 7 comeback and brief appearances inLegends: Z-A’s trailers, the game’s artwork appears to indicate a shift in focus from Zygarde as a potential mascot to Mega Evolutions and the Z-A Royale. While this might not be bad news for Zygarde, it could set new expectations for the role of Legendary Pokemon inLegends: Z-Aand futurePokemon Legendsgames.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Cover Art Appears to Cut Out Zygarde
Even though Zygarde technically features in the full version ofLegends: Z-A’s cover, only one of its cores is present and seems to have been sidelined in theartwork in favor of Mega Evolved Pokemon, the game’s starter trio, and key characters. Additionally, only the cells, cores, and Zygarde’s 10% form have appeared inLegends: Z-A’s trailers so far, meaning that the Legendary Pokemon’s two most memorable forms have also been left out of the picture. While it’s more than likely these 50% and Complete forms will also be included inLegends: Z-A, it ultimately seems that the game’s focus has been on everything else except for Zygarde.
It would make sense if Game Freak planned to keepLegends: Z-A’s approach to Zygardeunder wraps until its release, but its past use of mascot Legendary Pokemon, such as Gen 9’s Koraidon and Miraidon or Gen 8’s Zamazenta and Zacian, has arguably been not as secretive. Alternatively, Game Freak may have decided to highlightLegends: Z-A’s most anticipated features instead of its Legendary Pokemon, such as the return of Mega Evolutions or its all-new battling system. Yet on the other hand, it still seems like an oversight to not reveal more about Zygarde, especially as a successor toPokemon Legends:Arceus.
Mascot Pokemon Might Not Be The Focus of Pokemon Legends
While Arceus had a supporting role inLegends: Arceus' story rather than driving it, and it didn’t appear on the game’s cover art, the Legendary Pokemon’s inclusion in the game’s title still set an expectation for futurePokemon Legendsgames. However, with Zygarde’s prospective role inLegends: Z-Aappearing to be just as secondary, it could be an indication that Legendary or Mythical Pokemon were never intended to be the focus ofPokemon Legends, unlike the mainline series. Therefore, even though Zygarde could still factor intoLegends: Z-A’s story,speculation about futurePokemon Legendsgamesand potential mascots might need to be revisited and scaled back.
Rethinking Zygarde’s Role in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Given what’s beenrevealed so far aboutLegends: Z-A’s characters, setting, story, and gameplay, it still seems likely that players will again collect cells just as they did in Gen 7, suggesting that they will eventually add Zygarde to their party. Moreover,Legends: Z-A’s urban redevelopment plot and the disruption of ecosystems is a perfect fit for Zygarde’s lore as the Order Pokemon. But the introduction of the titular Z-A Royale and its wish-granting prize could instead be the key toLegends: Z-A, with human ambition and greed shaping the game’s story, rather than a Legendary Pokemon.
