Pokémon Fans Wildly Speculate On Why Legends: Z-A Has an E10+ Rating

We recently got a sneak peek at Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the next installment in Game Freak's Legends series. This new game is set in the vibrant Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, and its E10+ ESRB rating has sparked a flurry of speculation among fans.

The Nintendo Switch store page reveals that Pokémon Legends: Z-A received an E10+ rating from the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), citing "Fantasy Violence." This is unusual for the Pokémon franchise, whose mainline games have consistently held an "E for Everyone" rating.

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This unexpected rating has ignited a wave of speculation, ranging from humorous to genuinely insightful. Theories abound, from surprisingly violent dialogue to the introduction of unexpected gameplay mechanics. Reddit users have jokingly suggested scenarios like hordes of Scrafty ambushing players in Lumiose City alleys.

"Ohhhh boy, Game Freak is taking off the little kiddie gloves," commented Reddit user RynnHamHam. "This ain’t your kindergartener’s Pokémon game."

Many jokes also center around AZ, a character with a significant history in Pokémon X and Y, known for his involvement in the darker aspects of the Kalos region's storyline, and set to appear in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

More plausible theories suggest an increase in intense battles or the inclusion of a Game Center-style minigame. The darker elements of Lumiose City itself might also play a more prominent role.

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My personal belief is that the E10+ rating likely stems from the "Fantasy Violence" highlighted by the ESRB. While unusual for a typical Pokémon game, this aligns with Pokkén Tournament DX, which also received an E10+ rating for "Fantasy Violence." The real-time combat showcased in Pokémon Legends: Z-A might have contributed to the higher rating due to the more explicit depiction of Pokémon physical contact.

Currently, there's no listing for Pokémon Legends: Z-A on the ESRB website, preventing further analysis. However, the speculation itself is entertaining, and we eagerly await more information about Z-A's features and the reasoning behind the elevated rating.

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