FOR the lack of new 'Mons' does not sit well with the fans

It's been a whole month since Pokemon: Legends ZA was released on both the original Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Switch 2. As expected, there's been tons of discourse since the title launched, some of it solidly thought-provoking and some of it, well, toxic.

The debate over whether Pokemon should have voice acting has been reignited, as has the game's comically small map and lack of exploration. Of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the problems some have with its “flat” graphics. However, all this did not prevent Legends: ZA from becoming the single best-selling physical game of the year.

The player looks sad while drinking in a cafe in Pokemon Legends: ZA.

Pokemon Legends: ZA is so close to creating a world worth caring about

Lumiose City shines in the small details, but falls apart once you start focusing on the big picture.

Now fans want to know why Legends: ZA has no new 'Mons. After all, its predecessor, Legends: Arceus, introduced a few new creatures plus regional variants. The new Mega Evolutions don't seem to count. Sorry Mega Starmie.

Even just one new Eeveelution would be enough for these Pokemon fans

On Reddit, one user shared that he was “disappointed” that there were no new Pokemon in Legends: ZA, a sentiment shared by many members of the community.

“As much as I like Megas, I feel their inclusion always ends up with a smaller Pokedex; it happened in X/Y and this game (didn't play ORAS so maybe I'm wrong),” one user replied. “While Megas are great, you can only have them for a while, especially in this game.

“I'd love to tease the next generation if anything,” wrote another.

Now, while no new Mons isn't a disappointment, there is a technically illustrious reason for this, even if most disagree. As several users have pointed out, it's only been five years since the original X and Y took place, which isn't that much time for new Pokémon to be born, evolve, or change.

But as other users have pointed out, it's also a video game, which means that lore can be changed on the fly to make things make sense. “The easy plot is to say that the city's mega power overcrowding has introduced Kalosian variants of some Pokemon species,” one user added. Another said that a few opportune explosions could “unlock” previously hidden parts of the world and new Pokémon as a result.

I haven't sunk a significant amount of time into Legends: ZA yet, but it looks like the lack of new creatures doesn't really bother me. It would be great, no doubt, but Megas are fine.

“Yeah, I'm disappointed, especially since I didn't enjoy the game,” someone wrote.

Of course, the DLC is coming in less than 17 days, so there's a chance there's a hidden surprise here that we just haven't seen. Personally, I wouldn't get my hopes up, but you never know.