The Pokémon Legends: Z-A starters are Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile—Nintendo’s confirmed Grass-, Fire-, and Water-type partner choices. The game launched on October 16, 2025, so reports about a possible leak are historical context, not the source of the current answer.
Which Pokémon can you choose as a starter?
Nintendo’s official Pokémon Legends: Z-A page asks players to choose between Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile. It identifies their types and describes each Pokémon’s temperament:
| Starter | Type | Nintendo’s description |
|---|---|---|
| Chikorita | Grass | Gentle in temperament; the sweet fragrance of its leaf can calm the atmosphere. |
| Tepig | Fire | Nimble enough to dodge attacks and able to fire from its nostrils. |
| Totodile | Water | Small and rough-and-tumble, with a tendency to bite and strong jaws. |
Which starter should you choose?
There is no verified universal “best” choice in the cited official information. Choose by the type and personality you prefer: Chikorita is the gentle option, Tepig is described as nimble, and Totodile has a bolder, bite-first character. Nintendo’s battle description notes that type matchups matter, but move timing and area of effect matter too, so the starter comparison alone does not establish a competitive ranking.
Why did leaks come up?
A GamesRadar+ report published October 13, 2025, described a purported “Freakleak” involving roughly 71 GB of material and alleged development builds. The report also said it was unclear how much of that material related to the final release. It does not authenticate a particular leak about the starters or show that leaked material was the source of their names. Nintendo’s official page is the basis for the confirmed trio.
#1 Best Overall
![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 kind of game is Pokémon Legends: Z-A?
The game takes place in Lumiose City, in the Kalos region, amid a redevelopment plan intended to help people and Pokémon coexist. Battles use real-time movement and actions; as Nintendo puts it, “For the first time ever, both you and your Pokémon can move and take action in real time during battles!” Nintendo also says players must account for move timing and area of effect as well as type matchups.
Release date and Switch editions
Pokémon Legends: Z-A launched October 16, 2025, on Nintendo Switch and as a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, according to Nintendo Japan’s release announcement. The Switch 2 Edition improves graphics and frame rate. The standard Switch software also runs on Switch 2, but without those performance enhancements; Nintendo describes an upgrade path for players moving from the standard version.
Rank #2
![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.
The Pokémon Company’s latest updates page lists the game as available now and, in an update dated September 30, 2026, says a Switch 2 Edition plus Mega Dimension bundle is scheduled for October 29, 2026.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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!
Rank #4
- 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
Rank #3
- [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.
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