Pokémon Legends: Z-A Gets E10+ Rating, Fans Speculate

Pokémon Legends: Z-A has finally been unveiled, offering fans a glimpse at Game Freak's next Legends installment set in Lumiose City from X and Y. Interestingly, the game has already secured an E10+ rating from ESRB - sparking both genuine curiosity and humorous speculation within the Pokémon community.

Observant players spotted the E10+ rating ("Fantasy Violence") on Nintendo's eShop listing, marking a departure from Pokémon's traditional "E for Everyone" ratings. While this wouldn't raise eyebrows for most franchises, it's particularly notable for the typically family-friendly Pokémon series.

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The unconventional rating has fueled diverse theories - some plausible, others decidedly tongue-in-cheek. Fans have amusingly speculated about potential reasons, ranging from mature dialogue to unconventional gameplay mechanics. One Reddit thread jokingly suggested encounters with alleyway Scrafty gangs might contribute to the higher rating.

"Looks like Game Freak's finally taking off the training wheels," commented Redditor RynnHamHam. "This isn't the kiddie pool Pokémon you remember."

Much of the humor revolves around AZ, Kalos' historically complex figure who appears destined to play a pivotal role in Z-A's narrative - particularly given his connections to X and Y's darker lore.

Among more credible theories: enhanced battle intensity, casino-style minigames, or spotlighting Lumiose City's grittier aspects.

The E10+ rating likely stems from intensified "Fantasy Violence" - mirroring Pokkén Tournament DX's similar rating. With Z-A's real-time battle system showcasing more direct combat animations, this explanation seems plausible.

While ESRB's official site hasn't yet published Z-A's rating details, fans eagerly await confirmation about what exactly warranted this series rarity. The mystery persists until Nintendo shares concrete details about Z-A's gameplay innovations.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A arrives exclusively on Nintendo Switch worldwide in late 2025.