Pokemon Presents July 2025 - Everything You Need to Know

Another Pokemon Presents has come and gone, and it didn’t disappoint in terms of content. However, there were no new game announcements for the Switch, nor any remakes revealed, which left some fans, myself included, feeling a bit disappointed. Despite being packed with updates and reveals, today's 24-minute livestream didn’t deliver the surprises many of us hoped for. Still, from massive reveals to smaller updates, there was plenty to unpack. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the mainline RPGs or a casual mobile player, this showcase had something for you. But two new Switch games stole the spotlight: Pokemon Legends: Z-A and the battle-focused Pokemon Champions. Let's dive into everything revealed today and why these titles should be on your radar.

A Quick Refresher: What Is Kalos?

For those who might not remember, the Kalos region is from Pokemon X and Y, released back in 2013 for the Nintendo 3DS. Inspired by France, Kalos introduced players to landmarks like Lumiose City, which was modeled after Paris. It’s also the region that brought us Mega Evolutions for the first time. Despite its innovations, Kalos didn’t receive expanded versions (like previous generations did), which left many fans feeling its story was unfinished.

With Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Lumiose City finally returns, though not as a simple nostalgia trip. The game focuses on a futuristic reimagining of Lumiose City, hinting at a narrative and world distinct from the Kalos region as we originally knew it. Rather than a full Kalos return, this game is centered around the city itself as it undergoes redevelopment and technological transformation.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Return to Kalos with Mega Evolutions

Release Date: October 16, 2025
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Switch 2

One of the most exciting reveals from today's Pokemon Presents was the new trailer and deep dive into Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Set in a beautifully reimagined Lumiose City, the game promises a mix of open-world exploration, dynamic day/night cycles, and a narrative twist: Rogue Mega Evolutions roaming the wild.

• Mega Evolutions Are Back: Fans of Mega Evolutions will be thrilled to see their return, but with a twist. Rogue Mega forms now appear naturally in the world, posing new challenges and battles.
• Mega Dragonite Reveal: As a lifelong Dragonite fan, the reveal of Mega Dragonite absolutely blew me away hehe! Its sleek new design is both nostalgic and modern. Honestly, I can’t get enough of the fan art flooding Twitter right now. Every artist is putting their own spin on this majestic form, and I love every second of it. Check out a few of them below:

• Storyline: Rogue Mega Evolutions aren’t just a gameplay feature—they're central to the story, hinting at experiments gone wrong and the origins of mega evolution itself.
• Open World Lumiose: This isn’t just a revisit to Kalos. Lumiose City itself is evolving, with NPCs, story arcs, and secrets scattered throughout its sprawling districts.

Why it matters: Legends: Z-A is shaping up to be more than just a nostalgia trip. It’s a bold new take with mega evolutions, and open-world exploration.

New Characters Revealed - Fans Are Loving the Designs

Alongside the gameplay reveals, several new characters were introduced in today's showcase. From rival trainers to mysterious scientists, the design work has caught the attention of fans across social media.

• Team MZ: Acting as your allies in Lumiose City, Team MZ is a stylish crew helping players uncover the mystery behind Rogue Mega Evolutions. Their futuristic streetwear designs and unique personalities are already winning fans over.
• The Rust Syndicate: Serving as the game’s main antagonists, the Rust Syndicate brings a darker tone to Kalos. Their rust-themed gear and intimidating presence hint at a deeper conspiracy behind the rogue mega phenomenon.
• Art Direction Praise: Fans are praising both groups for their distinct, modern designs that blend seamlessly with the urban Kalos setting.
• Social Media Buzz: Twitter and Reddit are flooded with fan art of Team MZ, especially their leader, with cosplay plans already in the works. The Rust Syndicate’s shadowy aesthetic is fueling speculation about their goals and origins.

As a fan myself, I’m loving the energy these new designs bring to the game. The blend of style and mystery really adds to the hype.

Pokemon Champions - The Battle Game Fans Have Wanted

Release Date: 2026
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android

Pokemon Champions is positioning itself as the go-to competitive experience for fans of PvP battles. From ranked and casual modes to custom private matches, it’s designed for Trainers who want to test their skills without the usual story grind.

• Battle-Focused Spin-Off: Forget catching and exploring. This game is all about battles.
• Trial and Permanent Recruitment: Build your team through trial catches and permanent captures, with regular events introducing new fighters.
• Pokemon Home Integration: Transfer and battle with your favorites from past games.
• Ranked Seasons & Leaderboards: Compete against Trainers worldwide and climb the competitive ladder.

Why it matters: For years, fans have wanted a standalone battle simulator on consoles. Pokemon Champions finally delivers, catering to both casual and hardcore competitors.

Customization Like Never Before: Fine-Tune Your Pokemon

One of the most exciting features in Pokemon Champions is the unprecedented level of customization available for your Pokemon's performance in battle.

• Stat Adjustment System: Players can directly adjust base stats for their Pokemon, fine-tuning speed, attack, defense, and more to suit their preferred battle strategy.
• Nature Optimization: Easily swap and optimize your Pokemon's nature without cumbersome grinding or complex breeding chains, allowing for quick adjustments before ranked matches.
• Simplified EV/IV Training: Effort Values (EVs) and Individual Values (IVs) can now be managed through a streamlined interface, making competitive preparation accessible to all skill levels.
• Pre-Battle Loadouts: Save multiple builds of your favorite Pokemon, including stat spreads and natures, for rapid switching between strategies mid-season.

Why it matters: This level of control is a game-changer for competitive players. Whether you’re a casual battler or aiming for the top of the leaderboards, Pokemon Champions lets you build your perfect team without the usual time sinks.

Quick Recap: Everything Else Announced

• Pokemon Concierge returns to Netflix on September 4, 2025.

• New stop-motion series, Pokemon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu, coming 2027.

• Pokemon Sleep adds Entei, Raikou, Suicune, and Amber Canyon.
• Pokemon GO Fest 2025 + Eternatus event coming soon.
• Pokemon Unite: Latios and Latias joining the roster.
• Pokemon TCG and Pokemon Cafe Remix receiving seasonal updates.
• PokePark Kanto opening in Japan in 2026.

• Pokemon World Championships 2025 set for Anaheim this August.