X and Y marked a turning point: the first main-series game in 3D, the first released on the same day worldwide, the first to take a European country as its model. A look back at the story of a pivotal generation.

📺The announcement

On January 8, 2013, during a Pokémon Direct presented by Satoru Iwata, then president of Nintendo, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y were announced by surprise, for release the same year on Nintendo 3DS. The first images revealed Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie, and two legendary Pokémon whose names echo the letter of their version: Xerneas and Yveltal.

🌍A worldwide release

On October 12, 2013, X and Y were released simultaneously in Japan, Europe and America: a first for the series, which until then left several months between releases. The game is available in seven languages on the same cartridge, including French, and the player can change language at the start of the adventure.

🧊The move to 3D

After generations of sprites, every Pokémon moves to animated 3D models, in battle as well as in Pokémon-Amie. Cities are modeled in 3D, the camera follows the character, and the console’s stereoscopic 3D is used in certain scenes and battles. It is also the first generation where the player can customize their appearance.

🇫🇷France as a model

Kalos is inspired by the northern half of France: Lumiose City and its tower for Paris, Parfum Palace for Versailles, Shalour City for Mont-Saint-Michel, Geosenge Town for Carnac, Couriway Town for Alsace. The themes of the game, beauty, art, fashion, gastronomy, are those associated with France around the world. Our Premium feature Kalos is France tours the real-life locations.

🌱The legacy

  • November 2014: Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire reuse the engine of X and Y and add new Mega Evolutions.
  • 2013 to 2016: the animated series Pokémon the Series: XY follows Ash in Kalos, with three films devoted to the mythical Pokémon Diancie, Hoopa and Volcanion.
  • 2016: the 10% and Complete Formes of Zygarde, long awaited in a Z version that never came out, finally arrive in Sun and Moon.
  • October 2025: Pokémon Legends: Z-A takes players back to Lumiose City, five years after the events of X and Y, with Mega Evolution at the heart of the game. See From X and Y to Legends: Z-A.