We recently got a sneak peek at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the next installment in Game Freak's acclaimed Legends series. This new entry is set in the vibrant Lumiose City, familiar to fans of Pokémon X and Y. Intriguingly, it's received an E10+ rating from the ESRB, sparking a flurry of speculation amongst excited (and sometimes jokingly apprehensive) fans.
The Nintendo Switch store page reveals that Pokémon Legends: Z-A has been rated E10+ by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, citing "Fantasy Violence" as the reason. This is unusual for the Pokémon franchise, whose mainline games have consistently held an "E for Everyone" rating.
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This unexpected rating has ignited a wave of speculation, ranging from serious theories to lighthearted jokes. The possibilities are endless: Will we see dialogue depicting Pokémon harming humans? Could there be a surprising new combat mechanic involving weaponry? Reddit users have even jokingly suggested a return of the menacing hordes, perhaps featuring a gang of Scrafty ambushing players in a Lumiose alleyway.
"Ohhhh boy, Game Freak is taking off the little kiddie gloves," commented Reddit user RynnHamHam. "This ain’t your kindergartener’s Pokémon game."
Many humorous suggestions center around AZ, a character with a complex history set to appear in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. AZ plays a significant role in the darker aspects of Pokémon X and Y's storyline and the lore of the Kalos region.
More plausible theories suggest an increase in the game's "grimmer" moments or the inclusion of a Game Center-style minigame. Perhaps the darker elements of Lumiose City itself will take center stage.
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My personal belief is that the E10+ rating is likely due to the "Fantasy Violence" highlighted by the ESRB. While unusual for a typical Pokémon game, this aligns with Pokkén Tournament DX, which also received an E10+ rating for "Fantasy Violence." The real-time combat showcased in Pokémon Legends: Z-A might have contributed to the slightly higher rating, as the Pokémon's physical interactions are more clearly depicted.
Currently, there's no listing for Pokémon Legends: Z-A on the ESRB website, limiting further insight. However, the speculation is certainly entertaining, and we eagerly await more information about Z-A's story and the reasons behind its upgraded rating.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is scheduled for release in late 2025 on Nintendo Switch.
