Tales from the Backlog

203: Pokémon Legends: Z-A (with Kenneth Shepard)

Listen Later

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson

Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog

The Pokémon franchise got a long-awaited shakeup with 2022's Legends: Arceus, changing the game structure, catching and battling mechanics and setting. But now that Legends has become its own subseries with 2025's Legends: Z-A, all eyes were on its own innovations and changes, such as the new real-time battle system and one-city setting. Check out the discussion for our thoughts on all of it!

Guest info: Kenneth Shepard (he/him)

  • Check out Ken's work at Kotaku https://kotaku.com/author/kennethshepard
  • Check out Normandy FM podcast https://soundcloud.com/normandyfm
  • Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/shepardcdr.bsky.social

    • TIMESTAMPS

    • 0:00 Title Card
    • 0:22 Introductions
    • 4:15 Our Histories with Pokémon
    • 7:10 Opening Thoughts about Pokémon Legends Z-A
    • 16:56 Story Setup & Connections to X&Y
    • 21:29 Our Starter Pokémon, Wild Zones & Lumiose City
    • 43:04 New Battle System, Mega Battles and Battle Zones
    • 1:02:47 Ken's Work at Kotaku and Normandy FM
    • 1:05:52 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
    • 1:08:26 Spoiler Section- Our Final Teams & Connections to Certain Pokémon
    • 1:13:52 Dungeons and Story Chat
    • 1:29:57 Endgame and Ending

      • Music used in the episode has a large ensemble of composers and no individualized credits at this time. All credits to Game Freak and The Pokémon Company. Tracks used: Lumiose City (Day), Battle Zone, Trainer Battle, Lumiose City (Night), Hotel Z, Battle! Vs Trainer (Z-A Royale)

      Check out Dave on Pages of Play for "The Meeting of the Makers"- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mom-the-meeting-of-makers/id1755937349?i=1000749250884

      Chekc out Dave on Underplayed for Hollow Knight: Silksong- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/underplayed/id1606954029

      Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

      Support Tales from the Backlog

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store
      Tales from the BacklogBy Dave Jackson
      • 5
      • 5
      • 5
      • 5
      • 5

      5

      50 ratings

      More shows like Tales from the Backlog

      View all
      The Besties by Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Russ Frushtick

      The Besties

      4,841 Listeners

      Watch Out for Fireballs! by Duckfeed.tv

      Watch Out for Fireballs!

      1,185 Listeners

      The Cane and Rinse videogame podcast by Cane and Rinse

      The Cane and Rinse videogame podcast

      380 Listeners

      Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast by Axe of the Blood God

      Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

      636 Listeners

      Retro Hangover by Retro Hangover

      Retro Hangover

      26 Listeners

      "Fun" and Games Podcast by Matt Storm and Geoff Moonen

      "Fun" and Games Podcast

      46 Listeners

      Not Another D&D Podcast by Headgum

      Not Another D&D Podcast

      10,291 Listeners

      Remember The Game? Retro Gaming Podcast by Adam Blank

      Remember The Game? Retro Gaming Podcast

      373 Listeners

      Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast by Stephen Hilger + Brendon Bigley

      Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast

      368 Listeners

      The MinnMax Show by MinnMax

      The MinnMax Show

      2,111 Listeners

      Triple Click by Maximum Fun

      Triple Click

      1,164 Listeners

      Pixel Project Radio: A Video Game Podcast by Pixel Project Radio

      Pixel Project Radio: A Video Game Podcast

      29 Listeners

      No Small Games by Kate Hunter & Emily Merritt

      No Small Games

      26 Listeners

      Post Games by Chris Plante

      Post Games

      332 Listeners