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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPokémon Legends: Z-A gives you three first-partner choices: Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile. Nintendo identifies them as Grass, Fire, and Water Pokémon, but its official descriptions do not rank their strength. Based on the available official information, there is no established universal best: choose the one whose personality or elemental identity you like most.
All Pokémon Legends: Z-A starters
Nintendo says players can choose Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile as their first partner. Their official types and distinguishing traits are:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51r8yUj+syL._SL160_.jpg)
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Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Pokémon Legends: Z-A Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IOdpg0EfL._SL160_.jpg)
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Pokémon Legends: Z-A Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition | $65.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| Starter | Type | Nintendo’s description | Choose it if you like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chikorita | Grass | It uses the large leaf on its head to sense nearby temperature and humidity, and seeks warm places because it loves sunbathing. | A sun-loving Pokémon with a calm, nature-focused description. |
| Tepig | Fire | It uses its excellent sense of smell to find food and likes to roast and eat Berries, though it can burn them. | A food-motivated Pokémon with a playful, fire-themed habit. |
| Totodile | Water | It is rough and tough, tends to bite things that move within its sight, and has powerful jaws. | A tough, energetic Pokémon with a bold description. |
These are character and type distinctions, not evidence that one starter has better stats, moves, or story performance.
Which starter is best?
No objective winner is established by Nintendo’s official starter descriptions. They explain what Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile are like, but do not compare their gameplay performance. So the most defensible choice is the one you most want beside you on the adventure.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
- Pick Chikorita if its Grass identity and sun-loving nature appeal to you.
- Pick Tepig if you prefer a Fire Pokémon and its berry-roasting antics.
- Pick Totodile if you like its Water identity and rough-and-tough attitude.
Type alone does not establish an overall advantage. A meaningful performance ranking would need game-specific comparisons of factors such as stats, moves, encounters, and battle context; the official sources cited here do not provide those comparisons. There is therefore no supported basis here to call one the best for story play, challenge runs, or another particular play style.
What the choice means in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
The adventure begins in Lumiose City, where the player befriends one of the three Pokémon to become an adventuring partner, according to The Pokémon Company’s July 22, 2025 announcement. The game features real-time battles, Mega Evolution, and the nightly Z-A Royale. Those mechanics set the scene, but do not by themselves show that one first partner is stronger than the others. Nintendo describes the real-time battles as a first for the Pokémon RPG series in its official game overview.
Rank #2
- 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.
Can you get all three starters?
The initial choice is one first partner. Separately, the official Pokémon HOME connectivity notice says that depositing Pokémon caught in Pokémon Legends: Z-A into the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME can make alpha versions of Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile available as Mystery Gifts in the mobile version of HOME. This is a HOME gift process, not a claim that all three are received as in-game starters. The notice says gift contents and the method of acquisition may change without notice, so check its current terms before relying on eligibility.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which edition can you play?
Nintendo lists Pokémon Legends: Z-A for Nintendo Switch and a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition with performance upgrades, including enhanced resolution and frame rates. Check the Nintendo game overview for current platform and edition details. The starter choices described here are Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile.
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Quick Recap
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.
Sources
- Nintendo / Play Nintendo: Pokémon Legends: Z-A is here!
- The Pokémon Company: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Physical Version Preorders Begin Wednesday, July 23! (published July 22, 2025)
- The Pokémon Company: Pokémon Legends: Z-A | Pokémon HOME and Pokémon Champions Connectivity
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
