Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the upcoming installment in Game Freak's Legends series set in the vibrant Lumiose City from X and Y, has recently caught attention with its E10+ rating from the ESRB. This revelation has sparked a wave of curiosity and playful theorizing among fans about what this new chapter might bring.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted the E10+ rating on the Nintendo Switch store page for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which cites 'Fantasy Violence.' Unlike the typical 'E for Everyone' rating for mainline Pokémon games, this shift has raised eyebrows and prompted lively discussions about what could justify the higher rating.
Which Mainline Pokémon Game Stands Out as the Best?
Choose Your Champion
New Duel
1ST
2ND
3RDSee Your ResultsComplete the game to view your personal rankings or check the community’s picks!Continue PlayingView ResultsThe E10+ rating has led to a mix of earnest and tongue-in-cheek speculation. Fans are buzzing with ideas about what bold moves Game Freak might have made, from intense storylines involving Pokémon conflicts to quirky mechanics like a street brawl with a gang of Scrafty in Lumiose’s back alleys.
“Game Freak is stepping up the intensity,” Reddit user RynnHamHam quipped. “This isn’t your average Pokémon adventure for kids.”
Some fans have pointed to AZ, a character with a complex backstory tied to the darker themes of Pokémon X and Y’s Kalos region, as a potential source of the elevated rating.
More grounded theories include the possibility of edgier dialogue or a focus on Lumiose’s grittier side. Others suggest the inclusion of a Game Center-style minigame could contribute to the rating shift.
Top 10 Dog Pokémon of All Time
Top 10 Dog Pokémon of All Time
The ESRB’s mention of 'Fantasy Violence' likely holds the key. This aligns with Pokkén Tournament DX, another Pokémon title with an E10+ rating for similar reasons. The real-time combat teased in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, where creatures make more direct contact, could explain the rating bump.
As of now, the ESRB site offers no further details on Pokémon Legends: Z-A, leaving fans to ponder until more is revealed. The speculation, however, adds to the excitement for what this title has in store.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is set to launch on Nintendo Switch in late 2025.
