New Insights Suggest Pokémon Legends: Z-A May Launch Later in 2025

It seems likely that Pokémon Legends: Z-A could be arriving later in 2025 than many fans initially anticipated. A recent development in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) may have provided a clue suggesting that this highly anticipated game won’t be released until the second half of the year.

Excitement has been building around Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the second installment in the Pokémon Legends sub-series. With its promise to reintroduce fan-favorite Mega Evolutions, which have been absent since Generation 7, players are eager for more details. Nintendo and Game Freak have so far only confirmed a general 2025 release window, but fans are hoping for more specifics.

Trademark Discovery Hints at Later Release for Pokémon Legends: Z-A

According to a recent discovery by PokeBeach, the game may not launch as early as some had hoped. The team uncovered trademarks for new Pokémon TCG expansions titled Black Bolt, White Flare, and Heat Wave Arena. This new information suggests that Pokémon Legends: Z-A might not arrive until later in the year.

The titles Black Bolt and White Flare seem to be tied to legendary Pokémon Reshiram and Zekrom, both of which are prominently featured in the series. Heat Wave Arena is less clear, but it likely refers to Pokémon like Volcarona, known for the move Heat Wave.

Why These Pokémon TCG Trademarks Matter

Based on previous trademark discoveries, PokeBeach estimates that these TCG expansions are set to release in roughly six to eight months, placing their launch around May or June 2025. Since these sets are not linked to the Kalos region—where Pokémon Legends: Z-A is expected to be set—it seems unlikely that the game will launch alongside them. Additionally, no TCG trademarks have surfaced that hint at a connection to the new Pokémon Legends game, making it even more probable that Z-A won’t arrive until later in 2025.

Traditionally, the Pokémon TCG releases expansions tied to the core games shortly after their launch. Given that no trademarks directly connected to Pokémon Legends: Z-A have been spotted, it’s reasonable to predict that the game won’t be released until the second half of 2025.

Patience May Lead to a Smoother Launch

Although a later release might disappoint some fans, others could welcome the additional development time. The release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet was plagued with bugs and performance issues, rendering the game unplayable for some players until updates were rolled out. To avoid a repeat of these issues, a longer wait may ensure Pokémon Legends: Z-A is polished and optimized for the Nintendo Switch. If this results in a smoother gameplay experience, most fans will likely be willing to wait for a better launch.