Read more to find out whether you need to play Pokemon Legends Arceus first before jumping into Legends Z-A.

As part of the “Legends” spinoff, you might be curious about whether you need to play Pokemon Legends: Arceus before diving into Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Fortunately, the two games don’t have any connection in terms of story. This means you can jump straight into playing Pokemon Legends Z-A without having to spend hours on the previous title.
That said, there are advantages to starting with Pokemon Legends Arceus first, as both titles share similar gameplay mechanics. This helps you get familiar with how to play both games, ensuring a smoother transition once you start Pokemon Legends Z-A.
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Pokemon Legends Z-A Is Not Connected to Legends Arceus

While Pokemon Legends Z-A is a series released after Legends Arceus, it’s not a direct story sequel. Instead, it is a standalone spinoff tied to Pokemon X/Y and set in the Kalos region. This means you may want to play X/Y if you prefer knowing the previous story. Otherwise, you won’t miss out on anything important to the plot if you jump straight to the latest game in the series.
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Can You Enjoy Pokemon Legends Z-A Without Playing Previous Titles?
Jumping straight into Pokemon Legends Z-A is completely viable, even if you are not familiar with the previous games. It’s a standalone story despite its connections to Pokemon X/Y. The new title will feature an entirely new storyline centered on the redevelopment of Lumiose City, making it welcoming for newcomers who have never played the mainline Pokemon titles.
Playing the Previous Title Can Enrich The Experience
That said, being familiar with Legends Arceus does give you a bit of an advantage in terms of in-game mechanics. It may allow you to appreciate some design parallels or callbacks, such as stealth-catching mechanics and open-area exploration. This gives you a head start in understanding how to play Pokemon Legends Z-A, as they mostly share the same gameplay systems. Still, the new title offers enough fresh mechanics to stand apart and provide a new experience for everyone.
On the contrary, playing Pokemon X/Y will help you learn more about the history of the Kalos region. If you want to fully immerse yourself, playing the two previous games is recommended.

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