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, it's received an E10+ rating from the ESRB, sparking a flurry of speculation among excited (and sometimes jokingly apprehensive) 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 games have consistently held an "E for Everyone" rating.

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This unexpected rating has ignited a wave of speculation, ranging from serious theories to lighthearted jokes. The possibilities are endless! Will we see dialogue depicting Pokémon causing harm, or perhaps even a surprising addition of gunplay mechanics? Reddit users have playfully suggested scenarios like encountering a gang of Scrafty in a Lumiose alleyway.

"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 complex history who is set to appear in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. AZ's role in the darker aspects of Pokémon X and Y's storyline and the history of the Kalos region makes him a prime target for humorous speculation.

More plausible theories suggest an increase in the game's intensity, perhaps with more challenging battles or the introduction of a Game Center-style minigame. It's also possible that the darker elements of Lumiose City will play a more prominent role in the narrative.

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My personal theory centers on the "Fantasy Violence" highlighted by the ESRB. While unusual for a standard 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 might have contributed to the slightly higher rating, as the physical contact between Pokémon is more explicitly depicted.

Currently, there's no listing for Pokémon Legends: Z-A on the ESRB website, limiting further investigation. However, the speculation itself is part of the fun, and we eagerly await further details about Z-A's plans and the reasons behind the rating increase.

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