Pokémon Legacy

Pokémon Legacy is a 2024 open-world RPG in the Pokémon series developed by Krexxal ^(t∣b∣c) (with assistance from Nintendo EPD, GAME FREAK, and Monolith Soft) and released for the Nintendo Switch. Intended to be the start of a "ninth" generation within the series, Legacy intends to tackle the long-demanded request of an open-world Pokémon game, something 2021's Pokémon Legends: Arceus experimented with. For the first time in a Pokémon game, there is no overarching storyline, with the Pokémon League challenge simply being one of many routes the player can choose to play the game.

Plot

Region/Premise

Pokémon Legacy is set in the Kanax region, which is based on Canada. A large sprawling region located north of Unova, it was once considered untamed wilderness, full of Pokémon and the occasional small village. When colonists arrived from Galar, Kalos, and Kanto, the region flourished and became connected to the rest of the world. Due to its sheer size compared to its sister regions, Kanax's towns and cities are very spread out and the wilderness between settlements is more than just a simple road. While the Kanax Highway runs through the entire southernmost portion of the region and serves as the safest route throughout, most of the region is wilderness, sprawling with Pokémon both native and foreign. Whether it be mountains, forest, ocean, tundra, plains, or even a desert, the Kanax region is lush with Pokémon to befriend and catch, and landscapes to explore.

In terms of storytelling, Legacy utilizes a quest system in which the player can obtain and complete quests received from NPCs, or even objects in the world and obtainable items like a note. These quests are intended to guide players across the world and provide smaller narratives to go after. Besides that, players are free to progress however they like, whether it be by challenging the Pokémon League, competing in contests, establishing a Secret Base in an area of Kanax as you work to catch local Pokémon, or just simply exploring at your own pace.

Provinces

Thirteen different provinces dominate the Kanax region, each with their own environment and fauna.

Name	Description	Gyms	Real-World Inspiration
Neuvala	Located on the easternmost portion of the Kanax region and separated from the rest via a single strait, Neuvala is often said to be the eastern gateway of the Kanax region. From the port city of Hafla, all sorts of goods flow in and out of the province. It is here that your journey through Kanax begins, with a wet, snowy climate dominating the landscape inland, and vast ocean and beaches dominating the coast.		Nova Scotia
Baskal	Baskal is often known as the forested heartland of Kanax. Here, trees dominate the landscape from head to toe, with a few towns and cities in between. Many different Pokémon roam the forests, with some areas being home to more...supernatural ones.		New Brunswick
New Kalos	Many, many years ago, during the bloody Kalos war that saw the firing of the ultimate weapon, several refugees found a home for themselves in Kanax and founded the province of New Kalos. The province, while unified with the rest of the region, still retains a unique culture reminiscent of the Kalos region, with the city of New Lumiose standing near the river dividing the province. Large, but sparsely populated, New Kalos is a land of tundra in the north and forests in the south.		Quebec/Labrador
Coralus	Coralus is said to be the beating heart of the Kanax region. In the north, plains and hills collide for miles, with the occasional plot of farmland or rough cliff. In the south, the great city of Kanaxia dominates the land, and is often said to be the largest city in the known world, bigger than even Lumiose in Kalos. Kanaxia's core is full of people, Pokémon, and businesses, with the outer areas of the city home to factories and urban areas full of Pokémon.		Ontario
Plainis	The agricultural core of Kanax, Plainis is a land of flat, rolling terrain. Pokémon roam the landscape for miles, with towns sparsely scattered.		Manitoba
Solanac	Solanac and Plainis are said to be two sides of the same coin: while both are full of plains and have a focus on natural resources, Solanac is a bit more urbanized and also has a large mining industry, with a recent excavation resulting in the discovery of new Mega Stones...		Saskatchewan
Abaka	Abaka is a land of many climates. To the north, you have vast forests. In the center and east, you have plains. In the west, you have mountains. And in the south, you have the badlands. Arguably the driest area of the region, Abaka is known for its thriving oil industry, with humans and Pokémon working together to provide energy for the Kanax region.		Alberta
Mitsuki	Mitsuki is the western gateway of the Kanax region, with the five regions of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Alola being located in the ocean west of it. The great city of Tropport is full of ships going in and out, and is often said to be the most diverse city in the region. The jungles in the south clash with the mountains covering the rest of the region to form a beautiful landscape.		British Columbia
Norvus	This massive stretch of land covers two-thirds of northern Kanax, and is known for being mostly uninhabited save for the occasional town or city. Rivers carve up the cold, frigid landscape as Pokémon roam freely. The Kanax Safari Zone is also located here.		Yukon Territory/Northwest Territories
Hokkalas	Hokkalas is often known as the roof of the world. As the northernmost province of Kanax, it is a frigid land of ice and snow, with islands split apart by the Great Kanaxian Bay. Only the most daring of adventurers are brave enough to make the trek through Hokkalas and see what awaits them...		Nunavut
Isle of Battle	The Isle of Battle is where the Kanax League is located. The smallest of the provinces, and located off the coast of Neuvala, the Isle of Battle is home to Kanax Stadium, where the League Conference takes place. Only those who have obtained eight Gym Badges from across Kanax are able to enter the conference, and the winner gains the right to challenge the Elite Four and Champion of Kanax.	None	Prince Edward Island
Olasa	Located off the coast of New Kalos, Olasa is an island accessible only by those who have qualified to enter the League Conference. Trainers often come here to train for the conference, whether it be by challenging the Battle Frontier, or searching for wild Pokémon not native to the mainland.	None	Newfoundland

Pokémon League

The Kanax League is the main avenue for competitive battling, with eighteen gyms scattered around the region: each dedicated to one type. In a similar fashion to how Galar's gyms were based on soccer stadiums, Kanax's gyms draw inspiration from hockey stadiums. The gyms can be challenged in any order, with Gym Leaders scaling based on how many gyms you've defeated (in addition to them always using the same number of Pokémon as you), and while you can do all eighteen should you wish to, only eight gyms are required to gain access to the League Conference.

Characters

Name	Description
The Player	The Player is the playable character in Pokémon Legacy, with their name and appearance fully customizable in a fashion akin to Miis (but in the normal Pokémon artstyle). After choosing a starter Pokémon from Professor Spruce, they embark on their own journey across the Kanax region to accomplish whatever goals they seek. Recustomization can be done at any point via a barbershop (including facial features!), and you can also buy different clothes from stores around the Kanax region. While the Player is fully customizable, there are three default personas for them (Male, Female, and Gender-Neutral), akin to previous titles. The default male option is known as Terrell, the default female option is known as Natasha, and the default gender-neutral option is known as Alex.
Professor Spruce	The resident Pokémon Professor of the Kanax region, Professor Spruce specializes in Pokémon migration and behavior in the wild. He's the one to give the player their starter Pokémon, and will also be a source of information for those who are new to the series. He's just a PokéPhone call away!

Anime

To be detailed.

Gameplay

Pokémon Legacy is a major departure from previous entries in the series. Embracing the fully open-world gameplay experimented with in Legends: Arceus, and to a lesser extent Sword and Shield, Legacy features a more open-ended region and style of gameplay, with no transitions between areas. Players are able to fully move the camera and explore wherever they want, climbing up walls and navigating through water to reach their destination alongside their Pokémon. Wild Pokémon, and trainers, roam the wilds and seek battles, scaling to your level to ensure a fair challenge (though some areas have a minimum level at which they start scaling up). A rudimentary physics system, inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, allows your Pokémon to manipulate the world around them as they travel with you, either in a Poké Ball or on foot.

Due to the nonlinear nature of the game, the gameplay structure is significantly different from prior titles. Players are given little guidance on what to do save for an optional tutorial intended for new players, and are left to their own devices. Despite the nonlinearity, there are several areas gated behind natural barriers which require the use of your Pokémon to enter (but not via HMs!), such as steep rock walls that cannot be climbed easily or a large ocean which you cannot swim through the entirety of. These areas tend to have more powerful Pokémon and have these natural barriers to ensure players don't get stomped (unless they're clever enough to find an alternative path in!). While the player is capable of basic movement techniques such as climbing and swimming, they'll need their Pokémon to be able to traverse some of the more treacherous terrain in Kanax. Bonding with your Pokémon is more important than ever, with the player able to set up camp for the night and spend time interacting with the Pokémon they currently have on hand before heading to sleep, with the possibility for random events to wake you up such as a special interaction with your Pokémon, or a rare wild Pokémon appearing.

Difficulty Options

For the first time since Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Legacy reintroduces difficulty options, albeit much easier to access. There are three difficulty options to choose from: Casual, Classic, and Challenge. Difficulty settings influence the following aspects:

• On Casual, the Exp. Share grants 50% of all experience to your non-battling party members. This is lowered to 30% and 15% on Classic and Challenge respectively. In addition, all settings have the option to disable the Exp. Share.
• Trainers will have higher-leveled Pokémon on Classic and Challenge compared to Casual, as well as improved artificial intelligence and movesets.
• Despite affection having been merged with friendship since Sword and Shield, its effects are reduced on Classic, and removed on Challenge.

Skills and Overworld Navigation

Learning from the criticisms of HMs, Poké Ride, Secret Techniques, and the Rotom Bike, Legacy introduces the Skill system as a compromise between immersion and ease of use. While each Pokémon has a moveset of four battle moves, each one can also learn four Skills dedicated solely to overworld navigation and out of combat utility. Skills themselves are taught via questlines, and until you've learned said Skills, you may craft or buy disposable items in their place such as a pickaxe to destroy boulders, rock climbing gear to ascend a cliff, or a raft to cross water. With the ability to access PC boxes anywhere and Skills not taking up a move slot, it's only a matter of catching a Pokémon that can use the skill!

Skill	Description	Item Equivalent
Rockbreaking	Rockbreaking enables the Pokémon to destroy large boulders or rocks, either to reach an area they're blocking, or to harvest the resources inside.	Pickaxe
Illumination	Illumination enables the Pokémon to light up dark areas, and ward off wild Pokémon at night.	Lantern
Riding	Riding is a unique skill in that while initially unlocking it enables riding your Pokémon on land, you will need to do additional quests to be able to ride them while climbing up walls, on water, and even in the air. Riding a Pokémon is faster than travelling on foot, and can allow for reaching areas you couldn't reach before.	Raft Rock Climbing Gear
Translation	Some Pokémon are able to communicate with each other as well as humans. The Translation skill makes use of this, and enables a Pokémon of your choice to translate what others are saying.	N/A

Crafting

Returning from Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the crafting system has been significantly expanded as a major part of the game. While you can obtain most items from shops, being able to forage for materials to create your own items is a valuable skill. Poké Balls in particular are made with an Apricorn and a Ball Kit (obtainable from most shops), with different colored Apricorns producing different balls. Some recipes are bought, others are learned via crafting other items, and some are even taught via questlines!

While most materials are bought or foraged for in the wilds, Berries and Apricorns are a special case and can be grown, either anywhere in the world, or in the comfort of your Secret Base. Some Berries are even capable of breeding and producing new types!

Mega Stone Crafting

One powerful example of the new crafting system involves Mega Evolution. Unlike previous regions where the stones were merely stumbled upon, Legacy has you crafting your Mega Stones, via taking a base elemental stone (Fire Stone, Water Stone, Leaf Stone, etc.) and infusing it with specific items associated with the Pokémon you want to Mega Evolve.

PokéFlight Network

Scattered throughout the world, but primarily located in urban areas, you can find a PokéFlight stop. These stops are connected to a larger PokéFlight network, and grant access to fast travel for a small fee by riding on whatever flight-capable Pokémon is present at the stop. Unlike previous games' flying, PokéFlight allows you to actually see where you're going in real time as you soar over the Kanax region, though there is an optional skip button if you just want to get there quickly. Maybe if you progress far enough you might be able to fly with your own Pokémon...

Battle System Changes

With the shift to open-world gameplay, changes to the battle system were needed. Battles are now seamless and simply involve you getting within range of a wild Pokemon or being challenged by a trainer. Instead of the pure turn-based system prior titles used, battles now use an ATB system akin to the Final Fantasy series, explained as follows:

• In battle, a Move Meter is now present. Choosing to use a move drains the meter to zero, and will cause it to refill over the course of real time. Because of this, turns as a concept now cease to exist, with several additional changes related to them:
  • Status conditions now work slightly differently. Burns deal damage upon choosing to use a move, poison deals constant damage over time, paralysis slows the rate at which the Move Meter refills and no longer stuns you for a turn, and both sleep and freezing simply have a chance to be removed upon making a move as in the past.
  • The Speed stat influences how fast the Move Meter refills, with faster Pokémon refilling faster.
  • Two-turn moves such as Giga Impact or Solar Beam now simply have a delay between the move and the "rest/charging" period.
  • Weather moves such as Sunny Day or Rain Dance no longer have a set duration: they now last until the battle is over, if replaced with another weather condition, or if certain weather-affecting moves and abilities come into play.
  • Many moves and abilities have been adjusted in accordance with the removal of turn-based gameplay. For more information, see here.
• A dedicated Dodge button is now present, inspired by the Paper Mario series, which allows your Pokémon to dodge attacks. Each Pokémon has its own specific timing window for dodges, with a Perfect Dodge preventing damage, and a Partial Dodge simply reducing damage taken.
  • Priority moves such as Quick Attack and Aqua Jet have been changed to Dodge Moves. While these moves can be used at any time, performing a Perfect Dodge allows the player to use a Dodge Move without incurring the Move Meter.
• Whenever a battle starts, a large circle forms on the ground where the wild Pokémon or trainer is, with objects and terrain contours in the this circle playing a role. Line of sight is now a mechanic as a result, requiring you to move your Pokémon around during battle to ensure you can get a clear hit, or hide behind an object to not get hit!
• Power Points (PP) have been removed from the game, with all moves having unlimited uses. In their place, a Fatigue system is now present. Pokémon start with 0% Fatigue, and as a battle rages on they will gain Fatigue from using moves and dodging attacks (the amount gained depends on friendship, with friendlier Pokémon accumulating Fatigue slower), but Fatigue won't go from 100 to 0 in a single battle unless it's a particularly long-winded one. At 100% Fatigue, the Pokémon will receive a Speed reduction as well as being unable to perform dodges. Outside of battle, Fatigue regenerates slowly, but can be sped up by choosing to rest for the night, keeping the exhausted Pokémon in its Poké Ball, or taking your Pokémon to a Pokémon Center.
• Players are now able to run from battles against trainers due to the seamless nature of battles. However, the player has a Pokémon Trainer Score, which is lowered should you run from trainer battles. If the score is low enough, you won't be able to challenge gyms or the League and must raise it by battling other trainers.
• Moves that deal four times normal damage will now say "It's extremely effective!". Consequently, using a move with four times resistance will now say "It's barely effective...".

Type Matchup Changes

Several changes are also made to type matchups. In particular, resistances were given more of a focus to encourage more varied movesets and to nerf some types with easily-countered weaknesses such as Water.

• Water is now resisted by Electric, Ice, and Poison. In addition, Water is now weak to Poison.
• Grass is no longer weak to Ice, and is also now resistant to Rock.
• Ice is no longer strong against Grass, but now resists Water and Ground.
• Bug now resists Dragon and Poison, and is also now supereffective against Poison. It is also no longer resisted by Fairy.
• Poison is now strong against Water (and resists it), but is now weak to Bug.

The PokéPhone

The PokéPhone is your best friend in the Kanax region, and is accessed from the game's menu. Building off of the Rotom Phone technology from Galar, but also adapting elements of Johto's PokéGear, Hoenn's PokéNav/PokéNav Plus, Sinnoh's Pokétch, and Unova's C-Gear, the PokéPhone is a device that provides a myriad of apps and functions to make your life in Kanax easier.

App	Description
Map	The Map app displays your current location in Kanax, as well as showing information about nearby landmarks, events occurring in certain areas, and all nearby PokéFlight Stops.
Pokédex	The Pokédex app serves as your Pokédex in Kanax, providing access to the regional Kanaxian Pokédex, as well as the National Pokédex should it have been obtained. In addition to prior games' Pokédex information, this iteration now displays important information such as all moves the Pokémon is capable of learning, their Egg Groups, their exact encounter rates, and evolution methods. However, to discover some of these you'll need to find Pokédex Hints, either from NPCs or by finding the physical objects out in the world.
Phone	The Phone app keeps a record of the phone numbers of everyone you've exchanged numbers with, allowing you to call them. This allows for rematches with Trainers you've battled, calling for temporary travel companions, or even checking to see if the Day Care has produced an Egg.

Companions

Inspired by the Pokémon anime, players are now able to have temporary or even permanent travel companions, up to a maximum of three. When in towns or even out in the world, you can ask other Trainers to join you as you travel. Should they accept, they'll accompany you all over the Kanax region, taking part in battles with you if you ask them to. However, they also have their own goals and ambitions you want to support them in, which may involve going to places you never originally intended to visit. These sidequests often have small rewards, and will also help you bond with your friends more.

Special Heart to Heart Moments, inspired by the Xenoblade series, are also present whenever you choose to make camp in the wild, or when reaching certain spots in the world. These moments often feature conversations between members of your party, and in some cases your Pokémon will also join in!

Pokémon Contests

Pokémon Contests are back, and heavily redesigned to take inspiration from the anime and Unova's Pokéstar Studios. Trainers will utilize their Pokémon in special battles where the one who lands the KO isn't necessarily the winner. Rather, moves used provide Style Points and can be combined into larger Appeal Chains to win over the crowd. The five different Conditions return as well and continue to play a role, with the new Master Class Contests requiring mastery of all five Conditions and a team of multiple Pokémon!

Multiplayer/Backwards Compatibility

Pokémon Legacy is able to trade and battle with other copies of itself, either locally or online. In addition to being able to use your own Pokémon for battles, a Rental Mode inspired by the fan project Pokémon Showdown is now present in which you can use premade templates of fully EV/IV trained Pokémon in online battles should you choose to, with said battles being in their own bracket.

In regards to older titles, Pokémon Legacy is able to communicate with Pokémon HOME to transfer over Pokémon from Pokémon Sword & Shield, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon: Let's Go Pikachu & Let's Go Eevee, and Pokémon GO, with every Pokémon present in the code oncemore unlike the Generation VIII titles.

Pokémon Online

In a similar fashion to games like Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2, Legacy allows you to play seamlessly with other people in one session, whether that be strangers or friends, in what's known as Pokémon Online. By inviting friends to your game (or even choosing to join a public session), you can have multiple Trainers running around the Kanax region and play seamlessly together. Both public and private multiplayer sessions can support up to twenty simultaneous players.

Miscellaneous Changes

• Following the retirement of IVs in Legends: Arceus, Legacy follows suit. Wild Pokémon now have a few EVs already increased when generated by the game to retain uniqueness.
  • The same EV system is used as Legends: Arceus, except there's a hard limit of 25 EV points to distribute among your stats, with each stat capable of going up to 10.
• Pokémon Centers are now larger hub areas reminiscent of the anime, with lodging for Trainers as well as numerous other amenities. They can also be found outside towns and cities for the first time since Kanto.
  • Not all Pokémon Centers have a Poké Mart, with most urban areas having a dedicated shop or two. Rural Pokémon Centers will often sell basic travelling supplies however.
• The game now uses a day-night cycle separate from real time, as well as a separate calendar system. Days can be passed by via resting for the night.
• Shininess is now present in the overworld again, like in the Let's Go titles. To compensate however, the odds of encountering a Shiny Pokémon are reduced to what they were prior to Pokemon X & Y.
• While the Pokémon Storage System remains the primary way of storing your Pokémon, you can also let them run free within a Secret Base of suitable size.

Pokémon

Pokémon Legacy features 102 new Pokémon (including purely new and evolutionary relatives of older Pokémon), in addition to multiple regional forms. Unlike past games, version-exclusivity is no longer present, allowing players to catch all of the new Pokémon, save for several who are gated behind story choices that may result in others being unobtainable.

New Pokémon

Name	Type	Description	Evolution
Ursleaf		A small bear cub with light green fur, and a yellow snout.	Beoroar (level-up)
Beoroar		A bear resembling Ursleaf but a bit larger, now standing on its hind legs.	Grizzurge (level-up)
Grizzurge		A giant grizzly bear with green fur, carrying around a giant power line. Can learn the signature moves Vine Cable (90 BP Physical Grass-type move, 100% accuracy, has a chance to apply Leech Seed), and Surge Shield (Electric-type status move that acts akin to Protect, but paralyzes the attacker).	N/A
Rolcinder		A small orange slime that looks to have its upper body on fire.	Slimcinera (level-up)
Slimcinera		A large slime that's almost dripping onto the ground, leaking out flaming liquid.	Infixie (level-up)
Infixie		A giant, smiling fireball with large fairylike wings on its sides. Can learn the signature move Flame Fan (80 BP Special Fire-type move, 100% accuracy, damages the target before forcing them to switch out)	N/A
Eeliau		A small, dark blue eel that often coils its tail.	Morive (level-up)
Morive		A dark blue eel that has now grown sharp fangs that drip with water.	Toxinite (level-up)
Toxinite		A dark blue eel that now has a gas cloud around its neck and even larger fangs. Can learn the signature move Polluted Water (100 BP Physical Water-type move, 85% accuracy, has a chance to poison)	To be revealed...
Coyah		A small, brown coyote-esque Pokémon with a constant humorous expression.	To be revealed...
Goosi		A small black gosling that often has its wings outstretched.	To be revealed...
Mosqal		An abnormally large mosquito that has a massive proboscis.	To be revealed...
Sparktue		A miniature clay effigy that seems to resemble a mouse, with large ears and wirelike arms.	None.
Zingoose		To be Revealed...	Zangoose
Draklin		To Be Revealed...	Druddigon
Shocking Kong		A Past Paradox Pokemon that looks like a Electivire	None
Noctrurnal Fledgling		A paradox pokemon from the past that looked like a Rowlet	None
Sharp Slaughter		A Paradox Pokemon from Prehistoric times that looked like a Krookodile
Wild Jab		Past Paradox Gliscor	None
Terrible Tyrant		Past Paradox Tyrantrum	None
Iron Smile		Future Gengar	None
Iron Globe		a Robotic Seal pokemon from the future that looked like Spheal	None
Iron Ace		Future Cinderace	None
Iron Death		Future Dusknoir	None
Iron Wall		Future Bastiodon	None
Brutal Horn		Past Mega Pinsir	None
Iron Tank		Future Mega Swampert	None
Solanas		A Legendary Pokémon that resembles a tree with peppers growing on it, and has smoke coming from its head.	None.
Autumnas		A Legendary Pokémon that resembles a series of rocks floating in the air, held together by purplish energy.	None.
Chillnas		A Legendary Pokémon that looks to be a melting snowman that almost looks like sludge.	None.
Dripnas		A Legendary Pokémon that looks like a raincloud with flowers blooming on it.	None.

Kanaxian Forms

Name	Type	Physical/Movepool Changes
Kanaxian Trapinch, Vibrava, and Flygon		Due to the lack of hot climates in Kanax, Trapinch and its evolutionary relatives adapted to more forested climates, and in doing so, became more akin to insects and gained the Bug type in addition to being able to use more Bug-type moves. They also get access to the signature move Sapping Sting, a Bug-type move with 25 BP and 100% accuracy that deals damage, heals the user for 50% of said damage, and steals their stat boosts. Trapinch becomes more like a spider, with its small legs extending outwards, and gains a stinger. Its color also changes to purplish green instead of reddish orange. Vibrava's wings become more akin to a bee's, and its stinger becomes more prominent. It shares the purple-green coloration of Trapinch. Flygon's tail now has a massive stinger, its color changes to match Trapinch and Vibrava, its wings are more akin to that of a bee, and its eyes become more akin to that of an insect.
Kanaxian Remoraid and Octillery		The oil industry in western Kanax had quite an influence on Remoraid and Octillery: it enhanced their projectile capabilities and made them more akin to weaponry. In addition to gaining the Fire and Steel types (and a movepool of both types), they also gain the signature move Mortar Shot, a Fire-type move with 65 BP and 100% accuracy that will double the damage of the Burn status condition. Remoraid becomes more akin to a submarine, gaining a metallic shell and a thruster engine at the back instead of a tail. Octillery now resembles a tank, with its tentacles extending out like tank treads and its mouth resembling the primary cannon of a tank.
Kanaxian Machop, Machoke, and Machamp		The cold climates of northern Kanax required assistance with work in the tundra. To that extent, the local Machop adapted to the area, gaining the Ice type and a wider movepool associated with the type. They also get access to the signature move Ice Blade, an Ice-type move with 75 BP and 100% accuracy that has a high critical-hit ratio. Machop now has a furry coat on resembling that of a boxer's hoodie, and has a lighter blue skintone. Machoke retains the coat and skintone from its prior evolution, and now has fist weapons resembling brass knuckles tipped with icicles. Machamp retains the coat, skintone, and fist weapons from its prior evolutions, but said fist weapons are larger and more bladelike.
Kanaxian Glameow and Purugly	OR	In Baskal, many Purugly went missing years ago, only to emerge in a form that made it look as if they were inside a box as a spirit. Nobody is sure if they passed on, or are still alive. In addition to gaining Ghost-type moves in their movepool, Kanaxian Glameow and Purugly also get access to a unique Ability, and a unique move: Ability - Thought Experiment: Every turn, the Pokémon has a chance of switching to either being a pure Normal-type, or a pure Ghost-type. Move - Quantum Shift: 90 BP, 100% accuracy, type is based on current form. The user expels quantum energy at their foe using the power of their current form. Glameow gains a more spectral appearance that's more grey-colored, and now sits in a box. Purugly retains the same appearance as Glameow, but its paws are now extending out of the box due to its sheer size.
"Kanaxian" Zygarde		Several years ago, reports of a Pokémon known as Zygarde came up in Kalos and Alola. As it turns out, the Zygarde in said regions was but a variant of its true form, which has long called the Kanax region home. A great calamity split Zygarde's cells and cores into many pieces, and while a few scattered themselves in Kalos and Alola, most are in Kanax. Zygarde's foreign forms languished in dank caves and rough conditions, losing their original Psychic-typing in exchange for the Ground type. The original Zygarde kept the Psychic typing however, and slumbers as it awaits its reformation. While Kanaxian Zygarde cannot learn Land's Wrath, Thousand Arrows, or Thousand Waves like its Kalosian Form (in addition to several other Ground-type moves), it retains the Core Enforcer move. It can also learn the Cellmind move, a Psychic-type status move that increases Zygarde's Special Attack, Speed, and critical hit ratio significantly.

Returning Pokémon

The following older species of Pokémon reappear in the Kanaxian Pokédex, not including Kanaxian forms.

Pokémon
Ekans	Arbok	Pichu	Pikachu
Raichu	Sandshrew (Alolan)	Sandslash (Alolan)	Diglett
Dugtrio	Mankey	Primeape	Abra
Kadabra	Alakazam	Magnemite	Magneton
Magnezone	Gastly	Haunter	Gengar
Cubone	Marowak	Rhyhorn	Rhydon
Rhyperior	Elekid	Electabuzz	Electivire
Magby	Magmar	Magmortar	Ditto
Eevee	Vaporeon	Jolteon	Flareon
Espeon	Umbreon	Leafeon	Glaceon
Sylveon	Porygon	Porygon2	Porygon-Z
Aerodactyl	Munchlax	Snorlax	Togepi
Togetic	Togekiss	Azurill	Marill
Azumarill	Unown	Heracross	Sneasel
Weavile	Swinub	Piloswine	Mamoswine
Skarmory	Smeargle	Larvitar	Pupitar
Tyranitar	Seedot	Nuzleaf	Shiftry
Ralts	Kirlia	Gardevoir	Gallade
Sableye	Aron	Lairon	Aggron
Carvanha	Sharpedo	Duskull	Dusclops
Dusknoir	Beldum	Metang	Metagross
Starly	Staravia	Staraptor	Bidoof
Bibarel	Cranidos	Rampardos	Shieldon
Bastiodon	Combee	Vespiquen	Gible
Gabite	Garchomp	Riolu	Lucario
Skorupi	Drapion	Snover	Abomasnow
Munna	Musharna	Roggenrola	Boldore
Gigalith	Petilil	Lilligant	Darumaka
Darmanitan	Dwebble	Crustle	Trubbish
Garbodor	Ducklett	Swanna	Tynamo
Eelektrik	Eelektross	Litwick	Lampent
Chandelure	Axew	Fraxure	Haxorus
Golett	Golurk	Pawniard	Bisharp
Rufflet	Braviary	Heatmor	Larvesta
Volcarona	Skiddo	Gogoat	Honedge
Doublade	Aegislash	Swirlix	Slurpuff
Clauncher	Clawitzer	Hawlucha	Fomantis
Lurantis	Mimikyu	Skwovet	Greedent
Rookidee	Corvisquire	Corviknight	Chewtle
Drednaw	Cramorant	Toxel	Toxtricity
Sizzlipede	Centiskorch	Falinks	Snom
Frosmoth	Dreepy	Drakloak	Dragapult

Development

Despite the success of Pokémon Sword and Shield, it was not without criticism. The Dexit controversy had exposed many major issues with modern Pokémon games, most notably the fact that GAME FREAK, a small sub-200 employee company, was the sole developer of the biggest media franchise in the world and had cut many corners to get the games out on time. This lack of polish concerned Nintendo, and in 2022, shortly after the release of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, they announced the acquisition of GAME FREAK, and by extension, the acquisition of two thirds of The Pokémon Company as a whole, with Creatures Inc. retaining the other third.

With Pokémon officially becoming a first-party Nintendo IP, work began on the newest mainline title with the formation of Project Legacy, made up of developers from Nintendo EPD, GAME FREAK, and Monolith Soft. The goal of Project Legacy was to create the most ambitious Pokémon game yet.

Trivia

• Remoraid and Octillery's regional form is inspired by their original designs for Pokémon Gold & Silver, in which Remoraid and Octillery resembled a handgun and a tank respectively. The handgun aspect was dropped in favor of a submarine due to it being seen as too violent.
• The decision to move towards the lack of a main story was inspired by the original Generation I titles Pokémon Red & Blue. While the original Kanto games did have a story involving Team Rocket, it wasn't to the scale of having to save the entire world like in later titles.