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 acclaimed Legends series. This new adventure is set in the vibrant Lumiose City, familiar to fans of Pokémon X and Y. Intriguingly, the game has received an E10+ rating from the ESRB, sparking a flurry of speculation among excited fans.
The Nintendo Switch store page reveals that Pokémon Legends: Z-A has earned an E10+ rating from the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), citing "Fantasy Violence" as the reason. This is unusual for the Pokémon franchise, whose mainline entries have consistently held an "E for Everyone" rating. This unexpected rating has ignited a wave of both serious and humorous theories about what could be in store.
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The rating has fueled a frenzy of speculation. Some playful theories range from Pokémon engaging in surprisingly violent dialogue to the unexpected introduction of gunplay mechanics. Reddit users have even jokingly suggested a return of the hordes, perhaps involving a group of Scrafty ambushing players in a Lumiose alleyway. "Ohhhh boy, Game Freak is taking off the little kiddie gloves," commented Reddit user RynnHamHam, adding, "This ain’t your kindergartener’s Pokémon game."
Many jokes also center around AZ, a character with a significant history set to appear in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. AZ plays a pivotal role in the darker aspects of Pokémon X and Y's storyline and the lore of the Kalos region.
More plausible theories suggest an increase in the game's "grittier" moments, or the inclusion of a Game Center-style minigame. The darker elements of Lumiose City itself might also be more prominent.
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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 rating aligns with Pokkén Tournament DX, which also received an E10+ rating for "Fantasy Violence." The real-time combat showcased in Pokémon Legends: Z-A could have resulted in the slightly higher rating, as the Pokémon's physical contact is more clearly depicted.
Currently, there's no listing for Pokémon Legends: Z-A on the ESRB website, limiting further insight. However, the speculation is undeniably entertaining, and we eagerly await further details about Z-A's storyline and the reasons behind its elevated rating.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is scheduled for release in late 2025 on Nintendo Switch.
