Pokemon X and Y introduced the beloved Mega Evolution mechanic, which is one of its biggest contributions to the franchise today, alongside the Nintendo 3DS games also bringing the series into 3D for the first time, introducing the Kalos region, and adding 72 brand-new Pokemon. Of course, playing them today isn’t as easy as it was in 2013, but a new release for Pokemon X and Y is now confirmed for November 26, 2026.
Perhaps the biggest criticism of Pokemon X and Y is that they never took full advantage of their own ideas. Mega Evolution was a major selling point, yet surprisingly few important trainers actually used the mechanic. The games were also criticized for their relatively easy difficulty, uneven Pokemon distribution, and lack of a traditional third version. While Pokemon Legends: Z-A eventually brought players back to Kalos, there’s still plenty of interest in what the original sixth-generation adventures could have been with a handful of meaningful changes.
Pokemon X and Y Legacy Lock In a November 26 Release Date
Now, Pokemon X and Y Legacy have been given a November 26, 2026 release date, as developed and shown off by ROM hack project lead Craig and content creator SmithPlays Pokemon. Previously, the team worked on Pokemon Yellow, Crystal, and Emerald Legacies, all of which are focused on improving the core gameplay instead of doing any sort of massive overhaul or wild changes (like Pokemon Emerald Rotated, which rotates the map).
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One of the biggest improvements coming to Pokemon X and Y Legacy is the addition of two difficulty modes. Normal mode offers a more traditional experience, while this new Pokemon Hard mode introduces several restrictions designed to make battles considerably more demanding. These include mandatory set-mode battles, level caps, and the inability to use items during combat. Trainer teams have also been reworked, with Gym Leaders beginning to use Mega Evolutions from the fourth gym onward. Notably, the project is sticking to Mega Evolutions from the original Pokemon X and Y, keeping the changes consistent with the sixth generation.
The developers have also reconsidered how Pokemon are distributed throughout Kalos. Instead of immediately filling early routes with familiar Pokemon like Pidgey, Pokemon X and Y Legacy places a greater emphasis on Pokemon originally introduced in Generation 6. Underperforming starters, including Fennekin, have received balance adjustments, while changes to trainer encounters should give players more opportunities to experiment with their teams. SmithPlays Pokemon has regularly showcased the project through gameplay videos, testing, and livestreams, giving fans an early look at how these improvements work in practice (and how much more challenging some encounters have become).
With Pokemon X and Y Legacy arriving on November 26, fans will soon have an opportunity to experience a different take on the Kalos region. The projects aren’t official Nintendo or Game Freak releases, and they aren’t attempting to replace the original games. Instead, their appeal comes from revisiting a generation that introduced several great ideas without always making the most of them.
- Released
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October 12, 2023
- ESRB
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e
- Publisher(s)
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Nintendo
