Pokémon Legends: Z-A Finally Explained — It’s a 5‑Year Sequel to X & Y, Not Legends: Arceus

Pokémon Legends: Z-A sits squarely next to Pokémon X and Y in the series’ recent continuity, but it does not continue the story of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Below are the facts about where Z-A fits, which characters return, and what connections — if any — exist to the earlier Legends game.

1. Is Pokémon Legends: Z-A in the same timeline as Pokémon X and Y?
2. Is Pokémon Legends: Z-A in the same timeline as Pokémon Legends: Arceus?
3. Platforms, who should play first, and notable returns or omissions

Is Pokémon Legends: Z-A in the same timeline as Pokémon X and Y?

Yes. Pokémon Legends: Z-A is a direct sequel to Pokémon X and Y and takes place five years after the events of those games. In short, Z-A continues the aftermath of Team Flare’s plot and the X/Y storyline rather than creating a brand-new continuity.

Concrete ties to X and Y

Specifically, the game acknowledges the core outcomes from X and Y: the Ultimate Weapon was stopped, and key characters and relationships were resolved. As a result, several recognizable figures and locations from Kalos return. For example, ZA — the very tall, 3,000-year-old man from X and Y — and his Floette appear in Z-A and work at the hotel where the player stays. Also, Emma, who had an Espurr in X and Y, is now in charge of the Looker Bureau.

Moreover, the game makes use of Lumiose City and brings back established spots such as Sushi High Roller and Restaurant Le Wow. These classic locations are present and contain numerous callbacks to the Kalos era.

Who returns — and who doesn’t

Many X/Y characters appear throughout Z-A’s story, but not all. For example, Professor Sycamore appears only in photographs within the game rather than as an active character. Gym leader Clemont and champion Diantha are notably absent from major roles, though other familiar faces do show up. The game includes in-cutscene explanations, so prior knowledge is useful but not strictly required.

Is Pokémon Legends: Z-A in the same timeline as Pokémon Legends: Arceus?

No. Pokémon Legends: Z-A does not continue or directly connect to the story of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. The Arceus game is set in feudal Hisui and focuses on early Pokédex development, which Z-A does not attempt to extend or resolve.

What connection does exist, if any?

There is a clear nod to Legends: Arceus inside Z-A, but it is *presented as a museum exhibit* rather than a narrative continuation. In Lumiose City you can visit the Lumiose Museum, which contains a room dedicated to Legends: Arceus. That room includes items such as the base trainer costumes from Arceus, a model of one of the hub buildings, original Poké Balls used in the game, and sketches that reference the in-game origin of the Pokédex.

Therefore, while Z-A acknowledges Arceus through museum references and display pieces, it does not share the same storyline or directly follow the events of Hisui.

Platforms, who should play first, and notable details

Pokémon Legends: Z-A is available on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. You can play it without having played X and Y or Legends: Arceus because the game explains key backstory elements in cutscenes. However, playing X and Y first will provide context for character returns and story callbacks, while playing Legends: Arceus is not necessary to understand Z-A’s plot.

Bottom line: Z-A is a direct follow-up to X and Y, set five years later, and it deliberately remains separate from Legends: Arceus aside from museum-style references.