During the recent unveiling of the extended trailer for Pokemon Legends: Z-A at the 2025 Pokemon Day event, a mix of excitement and confusion surfaced among fans regarding the game’s starting Pokemon lineup. While some players appreciated the return of Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile, others felt the choice was questionable.
The first full reveal in a year came during the February 27 Pokemon Presents, where the much-anticipated trailer provided fresh insight into this new Switch title, targeting a late 2025 release. Players will venture into the Kalos region, focusing on Lumiose City, which is undergoing an advanced transformation into a tech-driven metropolis where humans and Pokemon coexist. As trainers navigate this evolving urban landscape, they’ll choose between Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile as their starter—each making a nostalgic return from earlier games.
Despite the excitement generated by this reveal, concerns were raised about these starters’ capabilities, as the full extent of their abilities remains to be seen. A Reddit discussion initiated by user Abinabin1 highlighted dissatisfaction over the selection of two starters from the Johto region, sparking conversation on the rationale behind excluding other popular options from different generations. Some fans suggested that new Mega Evolution concepts might have influenced these selections.
In the midst of these discussions, another topic emerged: Why exclude Cyndaquil, especially when it was featured prominently in Pokemon Legends: Arceus with its Hisuian Typhlosion form? The decision to feature Tepig as the Fire-type starter left some puzzled. Nonetheless, other fans argued in favor of this lineup, noting that Tepig and Chikorita have often been overlooked in past games due to their battle performance, suggesting it might be time for them to shine.
Currently, it’s unclear whether these starter Pokemon will receive new forms or enhancements in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Although Chikorita will gain access to the Fairy-type move Disarming Voice, fans are eagerly waiting to see if more unique abilities or features will be unveiled for this trio.
