Pokemon Legends: Z-A Starters – the Pokemon you can partner up with in Lumiose City confirmed

Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot of the starter Pokemon Chikarita, Tepig, and Totodile
(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

Pokemon Legends Z-A starters have been revealed, with three classic critters plucked from the Pokemon generations to choose from. It's an unorthodox way to start this new adventure Lumiose City, but for those of you who have stuck with the series of its nearly 30 year history it's sure to delight and surprise.

The upcoming RPG is set to arrive in "late 2025", and with a first proper look at what's in store for us during The Pokemon Day February 2025 stream, we got to see how Pokemon Legends: Z-A is going to continue the series' time honored tradition of presenting us with three different Pokemon with the classic Water, Fire, and Grass type lineup. Once we arrive in the setting of Lumiose City, we'll encounter these starters, and whichever one we pick will then become our partner as we set off on our adventures around the urban landscape.

As we wait for the upcoming Switch game - which may well also release on the Switch 2 - to arrive, now's a great time to consider your options in the Pokemon Legends Z-A pokedex so you can dive in and make your choice. Below, you'll find a rundown of all of the Pokemon Legends: Z-A Starters with some helpful info about each one.

Pokemon Legends Z-A Starters

Totodile

Pokemon Legends Z-A screenshot of blue alligator-like Pokemon Totodile

(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

Totodile is a Water-type Pokemon that first appeared in Pokemon Silver and Gold as one of the optional starters. The blue alligator-like friend is known for its strong jaw and propensity to bite. With a lively personality, the Water Pokemon evolves into Croconaw, which has a distinctive red mohawk-like fin on its head. Totadile's final evolution is the bipedal Feraligatr, with Water, Dark, and Normal type moves in its skillset.

Chikorita

Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot of green leaf Pokemon, Chikorita

(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

Chikorita is the Grass-type Pokemon Legends: Z-A Starter you can choose from. Also first appearing in Pokemon Silver, Gold, and Crystal as one of the second generation starter options, Chikorita is a little green leaf Pokemon that's said to be able to use the large leaf on its head to detect the temperature. With a gentle personality, the Grass-type evolves into the leafy dinosaur-like Pokemon called Bayleef, before becoming the final evolution, Meganium - which is a slightly bigger form of Bayleef with a distinctive flowery petal collar.

Tepig

Pokemon Legends: Z-A screenshot of fire pig Pokemon Tepig

(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

Tepig is a Fire-type pig Pokemon that has an adept sense of smell and a hearty appetite for food. As the one exception, Tepig is the only starter in Pokemon Legends: Z-A that's not introduced in Pokemon Silver and Gold - instead first appearing in a later generation in Pokemon Black 2 and White 2. The little pig evolves into the bipedal Pignite, before it reaches its final evolution, Emboar, which has Fighting-type moves as well as Fire-type.


Revisiting the series in the lead up to Pokemon Legends: Z-A? Check out our pick of the best Pokemon games.

Heather Wald
Senior staff writer

I started out writing for the games section of a student-run website as an undergrad, and continued to write about games in my free time during retail and temp jobs for a number of years. Eventually, I earned an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University, and soon after got my first official role in the industry as a content editor for Stuff magazine. After writing about all things tech and games-related, I then did a brief stint as a freelancer before I landed my role as a staff writer here at GamesRadar+. Now I get to write features, previews, and reviews, and when I'm not doing that, you can usually find me lost in any one of the Dragon Age or Mass Effect games, tucking into another delightful indie, or drinking far too much tea for my own good. 

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.