Pokémon, but in a horror setting? Sign me up!
On August 19 the Pokémon X-account posted a mysterious image, which left fans wondering what this could mean. The image looked like it was straight out of the start of a horror game. With the post came a release date for a YouTube premiere.
8/21/2025 - YouTube Premiere - 6:00 a.m. PDTViewer discretion advised #PokemonLegendsZA pic.twitter.com/vPrUiCvzl3
— Pokemon (@Pokemon) August 19, 2025
Said premiere was yesterday, and it went right on with the spooky vibes. We got a trailer for Pokémon Z-A in a first person horror look, that was very reminiscent of Resident Evil. But what exactly did the Trailer promote?
There have been rumors about a mysteriously sweet scent coming from a certain building. Check out this found footage exploring the building's darkened halls-parts of which seem to have been melted. What truths will spill out by the end? pic.twitter.com/GBnyFkpoUg
— Pokemon (@Pokemon) August 21, 2025
Victreebel Gets Mega-Evolution
In the trailer, two trainers can be seen, investigating an abandoned and creepy building. There have been rumors about a sweet scent coming from that building. While exploring the building, the two trainers are scared by a Spinarak suddenly appearing among other Pokémon.
They then headed toward the top floor and encountered another trainer and a Mega-Victreebel, slamming through the wall, spewing pink juice everywhere, which seems to be the source of the sweet scent. They manage to escape the raging Pokémon, and it turns back into its normal form.
The reason for that probably lies in the andrology of the upcoming installment to the franchise. Because in Illumina City, many Pokémon suddenly mega evolve and lose control, and it is up to you to investigate and find out what causes this.
I Wish It Was More
For Pokémon, announcing their new games or monsters in unique ways is nothing new. Even the found footage horror aspect has been done before. Back in 2021 Pokémon released a creepy fount footage trailer for their game Pokémon Legends: Arceus. So while this is not surprising, I really wish it was more than just that.
I am not really into Pokémon, since I never really felt connected with the games. But one thing that always fascinated me about these seemingly cute monsters, were their dark and contrasting Pokédex entries. And something Pokémon-related in that style would definitely hook me and apparently many others.
A Pokemon horror game would slap, though.
— Steven Davies (@SIDaviesAuthor) August 21, 2025
Wouldn't it make sense, to expand on these horror elements and create a fun, creepy experience? I speculate the reason they won't do it, is because it might not sell as much, since most expect fun cozy vibes from the franchise. But never say never! Games like Luigi's Mansion have shown, that a genre-switch can be fun and successful.