In the wake of yesterday’s electrifying gameplay reveal for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, fans’ anticipation is riding high with the return to a futuristic Lumiose City. Yet, amid the showcase of dazzling new features and familiar Pokémon, a notable absence has captured the community’s buzz: the elemental monkey trio—Panpour, Pansage, and Pansear.
Veterans of the franchise may recall these elemental monkeys from Pokémon Black and White, where they were handed out to trainers in accordance with the weakness of their starter Pokémon against the first Gym. They’ve since held a cherished spot in player hearts, not just for this nostalgic role, but also due to their design’s nod to the “Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” motif from Japanese folklore.
Their exclusion from any Nintendo Switch Pokémon titles so far has been a point of contention among completionists eager to “catch ’em all” natively within the newer consoles. While it’s possible to transfer them from pre-Switch titles into Pokémon Home, they remain conspicuously absent from the available roster. Game Freak’s DLC expansions for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have gradually whittled down the list of missing Pokémon, but the three monkeys remain elusive.
Fans picked up yesterday’s broadcast with heightened hopes for their inclusion in Legends: Z-A, especially following confirmations of Patrat and Furfrou—two other previously “missing” figures—now set to appear in the upcoming game. If Watchog, evolving from Patrat, joins the list, the door opens wider for Panpour, Pansage, and Pansear’s Switch debut.
Adding another layer, there’s the curious case of Spinda. Although this dizzy spot-bear is technically capturable in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl, a transfer issue means its trademark unique spot patterns are not yet fully compatible with Pokémon Home. This anomaly adds another entry on the list of Pokémon amid uncertain capture availability, demonstrating that the path to complete living dex on the Switch is fraught with unexpected hurdles.
Speculation runs high about the likelihood that Legends: Z-A will integrate these missing treasures. As potentially the final major Pokémon release on the Nintendo Switch, Legends: Z-A presents an appropriate farewell by filling these notable gaps. Fans’ affection for these charming Pokémon and the nostalgic allure they hold could signify significant motivations for Game Freak to bring them to the forefront at last.
With each trailer, the puzzle pieces to Lumiose City’s future fall into place, but crucial slots remain open for the mystical trio that began collecting fans’ hearts over a decade ago. As experts analyze yesterday’s reveals, the hope prevails—will our hopeful wait finally transform into gameplay reality?
Stay tuned as we continue dissecting Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s evolving world, scouting further for lineage and legends intersecting in this revolutionary saga’s arcs.
*Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Discover more insights on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got tips or stories? Please reach out at rvalentine@ign.com.*
