Summary

Game Freak was recently the target of a massive data breach that consisted of over one Tera of files, thus gaining the name “Teraleak” online, including information aboutPokemon Legends: Z-Aand Gen 10. The hacker responsible for this released a lot ofPokemonfiles and documents online, which are currently being shared on social media by leak aggregators such as Centro Leaks. The leaks include everything fromPokemonconcept art revealing Mimikyu’s true formto written lore regarding the origins of the games' universe - most of which was never supposed to see the light of day. Among the various leaks is an image for the Pokemon World Championship in 2025, and it features three starters that may very well be those ofPokemon Legends: Z-A.

Pokemon Legends: Z-Ais going to be the next big release for the series, allegedly coming for both the regular Nintendo Switch and its all-but-confirmed successor, temporarily dubbed Nintendo Switch 2 online. Considering that the title bears the same name asPokemon Legends: Arceus, it’s safe to assume that they will share a few themes and make this a regular series of games. As such, the starters of the new game are one of the biggest things that fans want to know, but they may be quite obvious.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Starter Leaks Explained

Why Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Starters Could Be Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie

The leaked picture, which fans can checkhere, features several critters going to the Pokemon World Championship in Anaheim, California, in 2025. Some of these Pokemon are more recognizable than others, especially the three starters fromGen 6 gamesPokemon X and Y: Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie. Normally, promotional images for the Pokemon World Championship feature some of the latest Pokemon that appeared in the most recent games, so for the 2025 Championship to have Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie there, it doesn’t seem like a coincidence at all.

After all,Pokemon Legends: Z-Ais coming in 2025 unless major shifts happen, and it’s likely that it will hit the stores within the first half of the year. Given that the Gen 6 starters never got Mega Evolutions or new forms, it wouldn’t be a stretch to think that they will indeed be the starters in the Kalos-setPokemon Legends: Z-A. The game will feature Megas, and the Teraleak even revealed thatPokemon Legends: Z-Awill have new Mega Evolutionsfor Zygarde and Zeraora, so having the Gen 6 starters return and get new forms and/or Mega Evolutions would make a lot of sense.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Would Be Shooting Itself in The Foot With Gen 6 Starters

Ever since this piece of information was revealed, a lot of fans showed disappointment at the idea of having to play with the same starters as Gen 6, even if they happen to have new forms. This would also break away from the trend started byPokemon Legends: Arceus, which instead featured first-partner Pokemon from three different regions, giving each of them a Hisuian regional form, and then also making the original Gen 4 starters available to catch. What follows is that one would expectPokemon Legends: Z-Ato have new starterscompared to Gen 6.

This could still very well be the case, with the image not being necessarily a representation of the starters from Gen 6 precisely because they will be found in this new version of Kalos and also get some love in the form of new Mega Evolutions, for example. If not, however, havingChespin, Fennekin, and Froakie as the starterscould disappoint a lot of players, causing mass backlash over this decision. It remains to be seen how exactly this will pan out, and things may still change since Game Freak is considering delayingPokemon Legends: Z-A’s release date after the Teraleak.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

WHERE TO PLAY

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is an ambitious new entry to the Pokémon video game series, releasing simultaneously worldwide in 2025. A new adventure awaits within Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon.