New ‘Pokémon Legends: Z-A’ Trailer Introduces The Z-A Royale

Today at the Nintendo Direct, a new gameplay trailer was released for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the next mainline title in the franchise. You can view the trailer here:

The first half of the trailer mainly focused on the information revealed during the previous Pokémon Presents, while the second half introduced a new mechanic based on the day-night cycle.

What Happens In The ‘Pokémon Legends: Z-A’ Trailer?

The trailer opens with various battles showing off some of the current Mega Evolutions including Mega Salamence, Mega Gallade, Mega Kangaskhan and Mega Gyrados. The trailer follows with the starter Pokémon, followed by various locations in Lumiose City.

During the second half of the trailer, we learn about what happens when nighttime occurs in the city. The wild zones turn from green to red and trainers are now found in them as part of the “Z-A Royale”. Like previous games, battles are initiated when an opposing trainer spots your character, with the battles now being turn-based as previously mentioned.

We learn that before entering a battle you can observe the enemy’s name, rank and how many pokemon they carry. We’re also able to initiate a surprise attack by sneaking behind the enemy. The trailer reveals that the ranking system follows the alphabet in reverse, going from Z-A as the title implies. Upon reaching Rank A, you will be granted a wish, a plot point that will likely hold great focus in the story of the game.

The end of the trailer shows a new shot of AZ with his Floette, Zygarde (10% forme), running in the city and the main character facing off against what seems to be an off-screen mega evolved pokemon.

What Is The Z-A Royale?

The Z-A Royale, first teased at the end of Pokémon Legends: Z-A reveal trailer is a “competition where Pokémon Trainers whose skills have been recognized are invited to battle to determine who is the strongest”. 

The Z-A royale begins once the player proves their battling skills, they begin at Rank Z and must work their ways towards Rank A. Achieving Rank A means that the player will not only be recognised as the strongest around (likely similar to becoming Champion in previous games), they will also be granted a wish. Who or what grants this wish is yet to be revealed.

Battling trainers in the wild zones grants Ticket Points, a currency you’ll need in order to earn a challenger ticket. You can also earn additional Ticket Points by picking up a bonus card and completing the challenge assigned. When the player obtains the challenger ticket, they can participate in a promotion match. If the player is able to defeat the opposing trainer, they are able to move up a rank.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A launches worldwide on Nintendo Switch systems later this year.

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