Earlier today, Nintendo hosted a brand-new Nintendo Direct, setting the stage before the upcoming event on April 2, which will focus on the next-gen Switch console. Among the highlights was the fresh trailer for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, packed with returning favorites and intriguing new features. While the visuals primarily spotlighted exploration and Mega Evolutions, offering glimpses of players scaling the rooftops of Lumiose City, the trailer dropped a surprise: things take on a mysterious twist at night in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. This clue was previously hinted at with the Rotom Phone glowing in the dark, suggesting that the game will incorporate a night-time trainer tournament.
This new twist adds an exciting layer to the day-and-night cycle familiar from earlier Pokemon games, advancing beyond the limited trainer battles we saw in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Now, battles are elevated to an in-game tournament structure, where players work their way from Z to A rank, battling it out as though engaged in a Pokemon-style battle royale. It’s a fresh take for the series, although one major feature would make it stand out even further.
### Pokemon Legends: Z-A Needs Online PvP for Its Battle Royale Tournament
One of the standout features of Pokemon Legends: Z-A is the inclusion of Mega Evolutions, which promise to make battles more thrilling. Aiming for A Rank to unlock exclusive night tournament prizes makes perfect sense, but the game would significantly benefit from incorporating an online component. Imagine players spawning at random locations in Lumiose City, engaging in one-on-one battles with actual opponents—none of whom are AI. This setup would establish a genuine PvP tournament, turning Lumiose City into the battle royale arena. An online ranking system could accompany this, moving from Z to A and rewarding players with in-game items or currency. Although PvP isn’t novel in Pokemon, the innovative battling system of Pokemon Legends: Z-A could redefine what’s possible in engaging player-driven battles.
### Could Legends: Z-A Transform Into the Elden Ring Nightreign of Pokemon?
Pokemon Legends: Z-A introduces unbelievable features like allowing Pokemon to dodge attacks, a first for the series. This dynamic battling system creates new opportunities, including adapting PvP battles beyond AI opponents. By drawing inspiration from Elden Ring Nightreign’s battle royale approach, the Lumiose City map could gradually shrink, leaving only one player standing in the tournament. Victors would earn rank-up points and rewards, further incentivizing this fresh take on Pokemon battles.
### PLZA Going Multiplayer: A Perfect Evolution
Bringing multiplayer to PLZA could be the ultimate game-changer, effectively introducing a battle royale mode to the Pokemon universe while letting players experience the revamped battling system firsthand. Though PLZA already incorporates trainer battles, the addition of player vs. player elements would elevate it to an entirely new level. Pokemon Legends: Z-A sets itself apart from its predecessor, building upon battles to potentially earn “sequel” status fully. Although there’s no official word on whether PLZA will include online functions, given that PLA had limited online features, there’s hope for a fully realized PvP battle royale mode. For now, fans eagerly await any announcements.
