Julio Neves
The Pokémon series has consistently evolved with each installment, bringing together beloved creatures from across generations. Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the rumored follow-up to the critically acclaimed Pokémon Legends: Arceus, is no exception. Speculation has been swirling about which Pokémon will make the cut and how the game might expand its mechanics, such as potentially building upon Mega Evolutions or introducing unique regional forms. Yet among the countless possibilities, one evolutionary line stands out as the perfect fit for Legends: Z-A: the Porygon line.
This series of Virtual Pokémon, originally introduced in Generation I, offers a fascinating blend of history, technology, and mystery that would align seamlessly with the themes teased for Legends: Z-A. Despite their absence from the reveal trailer, the Porygon line’s inclusion in the game feels almost inevitable, given the rich opportunities it provides for storytelling and gameplay.
Why the Porygon Line Belongs in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
The announcement trailer for Legends: Z-A took fans by surprise, signaling a dramatic departure from the feudal aesthetics of Legends: Arceus. Instead, the game appears to embrace a futuristic, urban setting, with the story reportedly focusing on urban redevelopment in the Kalos region—specifically Lumiose City. The trailer’s use of cyberspace-inspired visuals hints at a deeper exploration of technology and innovation, making the Porygon line a natural fit.
Porygon, Porygon2, and Porygon-Z are all artificial Pokémon, designed with cutting-edge technology within the Pokémon world. Their backstory aligns beautifully with a game centered on modernization and urban renewal. Despite their glaring absence from the trailer, their omission doesn’t necessarily confirm they won’t appear. After all, Pokémon Legends: Arceus managed to include Porygon and other non-native Pokémon through its space-time distortion mechanic, offering a precedent for how these creatures could be woven into the Legends universe.
However, Legends: Z-A has the potential to go beyond simply featuring Porygon in its Pokédex. This game could tap into the Porygon line’s untapped narrative and gameplay potential, elevating them to a central role in the story.
Porygon’s Potential Role in Legends: Z-A’s Story
The Porygon line’s evolution process alone makes it a standout candidate for a game exploring technology and progress. Evolving Porygon into Porygon2 and eventually Porygon-Z requires technical items like the Upgrade and the Dubious Disc, items that reflect the blend of innovation and experimentation. This evolutionary mechanic aligns perfectly with a storyline about urban redevelopment and technological advancement.
Including Porygon in the narrative could also provide subtle commentary on the risks and rewards of technological progress. In the lore, Porygon-Z was designed to break through cyberspace barriers but ended up glitchy and unstable. This concept mirrors the challenges faced in rapid urbanization and modernization, where unforeseen consequences can arise from well-intentioned innovations. Imagine if Legends: Z-A integrated this idea into its story, perhaps through a subplot where players help stabilize a malfunctioning Porygon-Z or uncover the ethical dilemmas behind its creation.
Even without introducing a new evolution like “Porygon3,” the existing line fits organically into Legends: Z-A. Game Freak could enhance this connection by offering players a Porygon early in the game, tying its progression to key story events. This would not only deepen the player’s bond with the Pokémon but also reinforce the game’s themes of growth and transformation.
A New Role for Porygon: The Poryphone
One of the most exciting ways Legends: Z-A could use the Porygon line is by giving it a functional role within the game. In recent titles like Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Rotom has become a mainstay as the Pokémon powering the Pokédex and smartphones. However, Legends: Z-A has an opportunity to shake things up by introducing the Poryphone, a concept that first appeared in Pokémon Masters EX.
The Poryphone would be an ideal tool for Legends: Z-A’s futuristic setting. Unlike Rotom, which is a living Pokémon, Porygon’s artificial origins make it a more fitting choice for a device created in a technologically advanced Lumiose City. The game could use the Poryphone to expand gameplay mechanics, such as enabling players to access augmented reality-inspired features or navigate cyberspace-themed areas. While it’s unlikely that Game Freak would entirely replace Rotom’s role, the Poryphone could at least serve as a unique alternative, highlighting the Porygon line’s connection to technology and innovation.
Porygon as a Narrative Device
Beyond its practical uses, the Porygon line could play a key role in Legends: Z-A’s overarching narrative. The Kalos region, already steeped in lore surrounding its war-torn past and advancements like the ultimate weapon, offers fertile ground for exploring the intersection of history and technology. The Porygon line, as a man-made Pokémon, could act as a bridge between these themes, symbolizing both the promise and pitfalls of scientific progress.
Additionally, Porygon-Z’s erratic behavior could be tied into a subplot about the consequences of unchecked technological ambition. Imagine a storyline where a tech company in Lumiose City attempts to mass-produce Porygon-Z for urban infrastructure, only for glitches to wreak havoc across the city. This would give players a compelling challenge while deepening the game’s exploration of its central themes.
Why Game Freak Shouldn’t Miss This Opportunity
Despite all the reasons the Porygon line feels like a natural fit for Legends: Z-A, its inclusion is far from guaranteed. Game Freak has a history of making unexpected choices when it comes to Pokémon rosters, often favoring newer or more popular species. However, overlooking Porygon and its evolutions would be a missed opportunity, especially given their relevance to the game’s setting and story.
The Legends series represents a bold new direction for the Pokémon franchise, offering a chance to dive deeper into the lore and history of its world. By incorporating the Porygon line in a meaningful way, Legends: Z-A could continue this tradition, delivering a story that feels both innovative and rooted in the franchise’s rich history.
Conclusion
The Porygon line is more than just a group of nostalgic Pokémon—it’s a symbol of the innovation and creativity that has defined the Pokémon series for decades. With its unique origins, thematic resonance, and untapped potential, this evolution line feels tailor-made for Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Whether as part of the game’s narrative, a key gameplay mechanic like the Poryphone, or simply as part of the Pokédex, Porygon, Porygon2, and Porygon-Z deserve a place in this exciting new chapter of the Pokémon franchise. Game Freak has a golden opportunity to bring these iconic Virtual Pokémon into the spotlight, and fans can only hope they seize it.
