Pokémon Legends: Z-A Rating Sparks Theorizing

We recently got a clearer look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the upcoming installment in Game Freak's Legends series that will unfold in the Lumiose City from X and Y. Notably, it appears to have secured an E10+ rating from the ESRB, sparking a mix of genuine curiosity and wildly humorous fan speculation about what the new game might entail.

Observant fans spotted that the Nintendo Switch eShop listing for Pokémon Legends: Z-A has been assigned an E10+ rating by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, citing 'Fantasy Violence.' While this might not raise eyebrows for many other franchises, it's unusual for Pokémon, whose core series titles have historically maintained an 'E for Everyone' rating.

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This rating has, unsurprisingly, fueled rampant speculation, ranging from serious theories to more lighthearted jokes. The idea of what unusual decisions from Game Freak could have prompted the slightly higher rating is genuinely amusing—be it dialogue hinting at more mature themes or the improbable addition of new combat mechanics. As several Reddit users quipped, perhaps the return of horde encounters involves a group of Scrafty ambushing the player in a dark Lumiose City alleyway.

"Oh boy, Game Freak is taking off the training wheels," commented Reddit user RynnHamHam. "This isn't your little sibling's Pokémon game anymore."

The jokes have also extended to AZ, a pivotal character with a complex history who is set to feature in Pokémon Legends: Z-A and played a key role in some of the darker narrative elements of Pokémon X and Y and the Kalos region's past.

Moving to more plausible theories, there are several ideas circulating. These include the potential for slightly stronger language, the inclusion of a casino-style mini-game, or a greater emphasis on Lumiose City's grittier aspects.

My personal opinion is that the 'Fantasy Violence' descriptor noted by the ESRB is likely the key factor. While the rating is atypical for a mainline Pokémon game, it *does* align with the fighting game Pokkén Tournament DX, which also received an E10+ rating for 'Fantasy Violence.' The real-time action elements showcased for Pokémon Legends: Z-A might have warranted the slightly stronger rating, as the combat involves more direct and visible contact between creatures.

As of this writing, there is no dedicated listing for Pokémon Legends: Z-A on the official ESRB website, so further details are scarce for now. Nevertheless, it's enjoyable to engage in a bit of speculation until we learn more about Z-A's final features and what exactly earned it that step up in the ratings scale.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is scheduled for a late 2025 release on Nintendo Switch.