Pokémon Z-A's E10+ Rating Sparks Fan Speculation

Fans recently got a closer look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the upcoming installment in Game Freak's Legends series that unfolds entirely within Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y. The game has also seemingly received an E10+ rating from the ESRB, sparking a wave of genuine curiosity and some wildly humorous speculation about what this new adventure entails.

Observant fans spotted that the Nintendo Switch eShop listing for Pokémon Legends: Z-A carries an E10+ rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board, citing 'Fantasy Violence.' While this might not raise eyebrows for most franchises, it's unusual for Pokémon, whose core series games have historically held an 'E for Everyone' rating.

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Naturally, this rating has fueled rampant speculation, ranging from serious theories to outright jokes. It's genuinely amusing to ponder what unconventional choices Game Freak might have made to warrant the bump—be it darker dialogue or, as some jokingly suggest, introducing gunplay mechanics. Several Redditors humorously proposed the return of horde battles, but with a grim twist like a gang of Scrafty ambushing the player in a Lumiose City back alley.

"Oh boy, Game Freak is taking the kid gloves off," Reddit user RynnHamHam commented. "This isn't your kindergartener's Pokémon game."

Many jokes have also centered on AZ, a character with a profound and somber history who is set to feature in Pokémon Legends: Z-A and played a pivotal role in some of the darker narrative elements of Pokémon X and Y and the Kalos region's past.

Moving to more plausible theories, suggestions include a higher frequency of "critical hits," the inclusion of a Game Corner-style minigame, or a greater emphasis on Lumiose City's grittier aspects.

My personal interpretation is that it likely comes down to the 'Fantasy Violence' highlighted by the ESRB. While atypical for a standard Pokémon title, this rating aligns with the pocket monster fighting game Pokkén Tournament DX, which also received an E10+ for 'Fantasy Violence.' The real-time action showcased for Pokémon Legends: Z-A might have prompted the slightly stronger rating, as the battles could visually depict more direct contact between creatures.

As of now, there is no official listing for Pokémon Legends: Z-A on the ESRB website, so further details remain scarce. Nevertheless, it's entertaining to speculate until we learn more about Z-A's final design and what specifically earned it that step up within the E rating spectrum.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is scheduled for release in late 2025 on Nintendo Switch.