Fans Beg Game Freak to Add Real Voice Acting to Pokémon Legends: Z‑A
Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak’s latest Switch release, has renewed discussion about voice acting in the mainline Pokémon series. The game features many animated cutscenes and new mega evolutions, while players and observers have taken to social platforms to debate whether the series should add full voice work.
Voice acting debate
Pokémon Legends: Z-A includes a number of fully animated cutscenes and dramatic character moments. Players have noted the animations for new mega evolutions and running poses, and the game’s presentation has been described as polished relative to previous mainline entries. At the same time, the title does not feature spoken dialogue for characters; text boxes remain the primary method for delivering lines.
Fans and commentators have pointed out older series moments that included simple melodies or singing in past entries, arguing those choices sometimes felt more complete than the modern direction.
The game’s cutscenes and direction have prompted people to ask why voice acting was not used, especially given the number of dramatic beats and mouth animations. Some posts argue that the scenes appear to be directed with voice work in mind, while others say the series has always worked without it.
Community responses and quotes
Discussion about voice acting has appeared across X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and other platforms. A number of users have posted threads and screenshots debating whether the series should add voices and how that might affect characters fans already imagine a certain way.
A widely seen Reddit discussion about the topic is available at this Reddit thread.
Several direct quotes from social posts have circulated:
“It was fine on the DS and even for the first couple of Switch games but ever since Scarlet and Violet it’s really apparent that Gamefreak needs to get with the times,”
“There are plenty of games that don’t have voice acting, but it’s fine because they’re designed around that limitation,”
“You can make a game work without voice acting,”
“But Pokémon’s modern cutscenes genuinely feel unfinished with how they’re directed while lacking voices.”
“I could care less if a Pokémon game has voice acting or not but why even bother animating their mouths if they’re not even gonna talk,”
Some teachers and classroom professionals have commented on potential benefits for younger players. One teacher said, “having the words spoken out loud while the children are simultaneously reading the text is one of the most effective strategies for increasing reading comprehension and literacy skills.”
Played Pokemon ZA for all of 10 min and enough is enough. Someone tell gamefreak to add voice acting to these characters lol
— AfroSenju (@AfroSenju) October 16, 2025
This is why so many feel Pokémon needs voice acting, because the presentation appears broken without it
You can make a game work without voice acting. But Pokémon’s modern cutscenes genuinely feel unfinished with how they’re directed while lacking voices https://t.co/SgWIzR5BnG
— TheNCSmaster (@TheNCSmaster) October 16, 2025
i could care less if a pokemon game has voice acting or not but why even bother animating their mouths if they’re not even gonna talk 💀 https://t.co/MswgZy5y9p
— Carlos (@SomeKirbyFan) October 16, 2025
This is one of the most embarrassing moments I've ever experienced in a video game. I genuinely cringed during this cutscene.
This is the biggest media franchise in the world. This is inexcusable for Gen 10. It NEEDS to have voice acting. https://t.co/iOl0i0GBdN pic.twitter.com/NUu8xvtFtT
— Taste of Victory (@victory_taste) October 15, 2025
Can anyone seriously make an argument for why Pokémon SHOULDN'T have voice-acting besides simple nostalgia?
Pretty much every other popular RPG series has voice-acting but why not Pokémon?
What's even crazier is they got full voice-acting in the spinoffs and nobody complains! https://t.co/5RQUCkhrLx pic.twitter.com/yD7BIsbi8w
— Calarogo (@calarogo62016) October 15, 2025
I discovered over the last 24 hours that so many people want voice acting in Pokemon. I don’t disagree with you – I enjoy voice acting in games.
Didn’t realize the desire for Pokemon to have it was this strong. Why? I kinda like that my kids have to read when they play lol.
— Nintendo Prime (@NintyPrime) October 14, 2025
Development context
Game Freak remains the primary developer of the mainline Pokémon titles and is a smaller studio than many large AAA teams. Public statements and reporting note that Game Freak has in the past described keeping team sizes relatively modest and using contractors for certain tasks.
For more on Game Freak’s staffing and approach, see reporting at NintendoEverything.
Possible future and leaks
Reports and leaks circulating after the game’s release have suggested that voice acting was at least considered during development of earlier entries in the Legends series. Those reports vary in source and detail, and they have fueled speculation about whether future mainline Pokémon games will include spoken dialogue.
At present, the concrete facts are: Pokémon Legends: Z-A was released for Nintendo Switch, it contains many animated cutscenes and new creature animations, and public discussion about adding voice acting is ongoing across social platforms.
