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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s three partner Pokémon are Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile. Their standard evolution lines are Chikorita → Bayleef → Meganium, Tepig → Pignite → Emboar, and Totodile → Croconaw → Feraligatr. Each also has a Mega form, which is a battle transformation rather than another stage in its evolution line.
If you still need the game, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is available for Nintendo Switch and as a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition; check the official purchase page for edition and console compatibility.
What are the Pokémon Legends: Z-A starter evolutions?
The official Pokémon Legends: Z-A website says that events after arriving in Lumiose lead the player to befriend an adventuring partner. The three choices and their standard evolution chains are:
| Starter | First evolution | Final evolution | Mega form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chikorita | Bayleef | Meganium | Mega Meganium |
| Tepig | Pignite | Emboar | Mega Emboar |
| Totodile | Croconaw | Feraligatr | Mega Feraligatr |
The Mega forms are listed on the official Pokémon page. They are separate from the three-stage standard evolution chains shown above.
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![Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51r8yUj+syL._SL160_.jpg)
- Venture into Hyperspace Lumiose in this additional story content that can be accessed after completing the main game
- Work with the mysterious baker, Ansha, to make donuts that awaken the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa’s power and grant you and your Pokémon a variety of useful effects
- Join Team MZ and the Mega Evolution Successor, Korrina, to investigate Hyperspace Lumiose, the otherworldly home to rare and hyper-strong Pokémon
- Discover new Mega Evolutions such as Mega Raichu X, Mega Raichu Y, Mega Chimecho and Mega Baxcalibur
- Claim Holo-X and Holo-Y in-game apparel items, which you can wear as soon as you are able to customize your character’s look and outfit in the main game
What does Chikorita evolve into in Pokémon Legends: Z-A?
Chikorita evolves into Bayleef, which evolves into Meganium. Mega Meganium is an additional Mega form, not a fourth standard evolution.
What are Tepig’s evolutions?
Tepig evolves into Pignite and then Emboar. Mega Emboar is a Mega form of Emboar rather than another ordinary evolution stage.
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![Pokémon Legends: Z-A Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IOdpg0EfL._SL160_.jpg)
- Your journey will take you to all manner of sights in the streets arrayed around Prism Tower, including shops, restaurants, and places called wild zones—where Pokémon roam free.
- As you catch, train, and battle Pokémon, there will be plenty of people to meet too—like AZ, the enigmatic owner of Hotel Z.
What does Totodile evolve into?
Totodile evolves into Croconaw and then Feraligatr. Mega Feraligatr is its Mega form, not a fourth stage in the standard chain.
What level do the starters evolve?
Available guides disagree about Chikorita’s first evolution threshold, with reports ranging from level 15 to level 17. The exact threshold is therefore not established here. Check the evolution prompt in your game rather than relying on a conflicting level listing. The standard evolution names are consistent: Bayleef and Meganium for Chikorita, Pignite and Emboar for Tepig, and Croconaw and Feraligatr for Totodile.
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- [4K ULTRA HD PERFORMANCE] Protect the peace in Lumiose City in this enhanced edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 system, featuring native 4K resolution and a stable 60FPS frame rate. Experience the urban re-development plan with high-fidelity textures and advanced lighting effects centered around the iconic Prism Tower.
- [REAL-TIME BATTLE ENGINE] For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, command your Pokémon in seamless real-time battles. Engage over 100+ unique species with zero loading transitions, utilizing an upgraded combat AI that leverages the increased processing power of the Switch 2 hardware.
- [MEGA EVOLUTION MECHANICS] Master the power of Mega Evolution to suppress rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon appearing across the Kalos region. This edition introduces 15+ newly discovered Mega-Evolved forms, each rendered with dynamic particle effects and exclusive Z-A signature moves for tactical depth.
- [MULTIPLAYER Z-A ROYALE] Compete in the Z-A Royale each night to test your skills against global Trainers. Supported by Nintendo Switch 2's improved low-latency wireless architecture, these competitive events allow you to climb leaderboards and unlock rare evolution stones in 20-player lobbies.
- [EXPANSIVE WILD ZONES] Explore vibrant Wild Zones where Pokémon roam free in their natural habitats, from bustling city shops to hidden restaurants. This Hong Kong physical edition is region-free and supports English, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese, featuring the enigmatic AZ and the peacekeeping Team MZ.
Which starter should I choose?
There is no established universal best choice. Pick the Pokémon or final evolution you like most, then consider how its moves, type matchups, and role fit the rest of your party. The available evidence does not support a definitive ranking of the three lines for Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to claim the Alpha starter gifts in Pokémon HOME
Pokémon HOME offers Alpha versions of all three starters as one-time Mystery Gifts under a specific transfer condition. The Nintendo Switch and mobile versions of HOME must be linked.
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- Live the life of a Pokémon Trainer in the streets of Lumiose City!
- For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, command your Pokémon in real-time battles
- Use the power of Mega Evolution in battle and take on rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon
- Compete in the Z-A Royale each night to test your skills and try to become the strongest Pokémon Trainer
- Visit shops, restaurants, and places called wild zones—where Pokémon roam free—all centered around Prism Tower
- In the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME, deposit a Pokémon caught in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
- Open the mobile version of Pokémon HOME and claim the starter gifts from Mystery Gifts.
See the official Pokémon HOME guidance for the gift details.
Quick Recap
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- An ambitious new adventure set in Lumiose City awaits in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, coming to Nintendo Switch in late 2025. Explore the city, unravel its secrets and battle Pokémon like never before!
- An urban redevelopment plan is underway in Lumiose City! The goal: to turn it into a place Pokémon and people can truly share. Shortly after arriving, you’ll choose from one of these partner Pokémon to accompany you on your journey – Chikorita, Tepig or Totodile.
- Together, you can explore the streets of this vast city or visit Wild Zones – habitats where you’ll encounter wild Pokémon. To catch them, aim carefully and throw a Poké Ball or take them on with the help of the Pokémon on your team.
- For the first time ever, Trainers and their Pokémon will move around and take action in real time during battles. Pokémon will unleash their moves when their Trainers command them to. In addition to type matchups, there will be new mechanics to consider, such as the precise timing for swapping out your Pokémon or using moves, the different lengths of time moves will take to launch, and how big an area the moves will impact.
- In Lumiose City, Pokémon can go beyond Evolution by undergoing Mega Evolution! When a Trainer’s Key Stone resonates with the Mega Stone held by their Pokémon, the Pokémon will do more than just change shape and size – it will unlock a new level of power, which could turn the tide of battle!
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