June is a big month for the gaming universe, and Nintendo came in strong announcing several news. One of the latest announcements from the company is the return, after 12 years of absence, of the legendary Zygarde, in the newest game of the Pokémon universe that will be called Legends: Z-A. But what can fans expect from this new title?
What is the story of the legendary Pokémon?
For those who don’t know, Zygarde is one of the legendary Pokémon that make up the “Aura Trio”, along with Xerneas and Yveltal, but differently from the other two, which have had their own games focused on them, Pokémon Emerald and Pokémon Platinum, Zygarde never had a leading role in the game editions.
Zygarde was first introduced in 2013 in Pokémon X and Y, games that were launched as part of Generation VI, and after that, the character has only appeared in Sun & Moon. At the time, this Pokémon stood out for its mysterious nature and main goal — preserving the equilibrium of ecosystems in the Pokémon world.
In its first appearance, there weren’t many details presented about Zygarde, which led fans to theorize possible continuations to explore further into the character, even considering a Pokémon Z for that. However, it was only in Pokémon Sun & Moon that more details about the legendary Pokémon, specifically its biology, were revealed.
The transformation of Zygarde: Unraveling its forms and powers
Zygarde is a symbol of balance and transformation. The character can have various forms that depend on the proportion between two components based on its cellular composition: The Zygarde Cells and Zygarde Cores. In its first appearance in Pokémon X and Y, it was only at 50% of its form, but other forms of the character have appeared, for example, in Sun & Moon at 10%. If all its cells and cores are collected, the player can achieve its complete form, which promises a very high level of power.
To unlock the various Pokémon forms, the player needs to collect the cells during the game by facing some specific challenges for each stage. The more cores and cells the player collects, the more forms of Zygarde they will unlock, ranging from the dog-like form, equivalent to 10%, to the titanic, red, blue, and finally the green complete form.
This approach elevates the level of interest and makes the user feel challenged to tackle the puzzles of the game and receive rewards of the cells. Furthermore, the various forms of the character will be key stages to progress in the game. Zygarde, which until then was merely a supporting character, becomes a main piece in the plot.
Legends: Z-A aims to evolve the formula
Since Legends: Arceus shook things up with a more open-world, action-oriented style, fans are waiting to see what’s next. Legends: Z-A looks like it’s pushing the envelope even further. Set in a high-tech Lumiose City, this time the focus may shift from nature to urban life.
That could have big implications for gameplay. Picture a living city with NPCs reacting to your choices, surveillance cameras watching key areas, and restricted zones that only open when Zygarde takes on specific forms. The potential for deeper storytelling is huge — and still very Pokémon at heart.
Players also hope for improved graphics, smoother mechanics, and a balance between exploration and battle. Even with limited info, the confirmation of Zygarde’s central role has fans dreaming big.
The perfect time for a comeback
Zygarde’s return in Legends: Z-A feels like more than just a plot choice — it’s a gift to longtime fans and a bridge to new players. With a more modern and mature tone, the game promises to blend nostalgia with the bold innovation the series needs.
