Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Multiplayer Features Are Gen 7 All Over Again

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The recent Pokemon games have faced much criticism for lacking innovation, but it appears that Pokemon Legends: Z-A is aiming to address these concerns. Though a sequel to 2022’s Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Game Freak’s upcoming RPG differs significantly from the traditional Pokemon games that came before it. For the first time in the series, Pokemon Legends: Z-A will introduce a real-time combat system. Instead of maintaining the static turn-based battle mechanics of its predecessors, the game’s combat will demand that players pay close attention to their characters’ positions, the movements of their Pokemon, and the timing of the attacks they employ.

In contrast to the departure from the traditional gameplay structure in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is planning to reinstate an iconic aspect of the series that was absent in its predecessor – online multiplayer. While many found Pokemon Legends: Arceus fascinating, it was among the few core Pokemon games without a multiplayer component, aside from trading. It appears that Game Freak has taken fan feedback on board and is enhancing the multiplayer experience in Pokemon Legends: Z-A by introducing a new mode that bears a striking resemblance to an overlooked feature from Generation 7.

Pokemon Legends Z-A is Getting a 4-Player PvP Multiplayer Mode

At the 2025 Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, California, The Pokémon Company announced that the game Pokémon Legends: Z-A would include an online player-versus-player multiplayer feature called the Z-A Battle Club. In this mode, players can engage up to three other opponents on a single stage and fight each other’s Pokémon within a span of three minutes. Whenever one of their Pokémon faints, players will be teleported back to their starting position with their Pokémon’s health fully restored. As they defeat more opponents, players earn points, which ultimately boosts their overall standing.

During a fight, players may stumble upon Mega Power Orbs on the battleground. These orbs not only trigger Mega Evolution for the player’s Pokémon, but they may also grant temporary improvements to their stats.

Players Can Choose to Play Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Battle Club Mode Either Competitively or Casually

In Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the Battle Club splits into two distinct modes. The first one, called Link Battles, mirrors the multiplayer aspect of the game in its typical form. On the other hand, Ranked Battles prioritize competitive play and offer in-game incentives to boost players’ global rankings. As reported by The Pokemon Company, winning PvP matches or advancing in rank within Pokemon Legends: Z-A during a specific season will result in rewards. Extra rewards are also handed out based on the final rank achieved at the end of each season.

The Z-A Battle Club Has a Lot in Common With the Battle Royals in Pokemon Sun and Moon

Although the Z-A Battle Club appears to be an exciting new element in the Pokemon series, longtime Pokemon enthusiasts might recognize that this feature shares a strong similarity with the Battle Royal mode presented in Pokemon Sun and Moon. Similarities can be drawn between the Z-A Battle Club’s Link and Ranked Battles and the Battle Royals from those games, as both involve four players competing against each other concurrently. In Alola’s Akala Island, the Battle Royal dome hosted this mode, which was offered in four distinct levels of difficulty, with each level becoming progressively more challenging than the previous one. As a player won more Battle Royals, they were able to unlock higher ranks.

The Battle Royal Mode and the Z-A Battle Club Are Distinct from Each Other in Some Ways

Although Pokémon Sun and Moon’s Battle Royals and Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s Battle Club share a common theme, there are notable differences between the two. In Battle Royals, there are no time limits, but players can only have a limited number of Pokémon with them at any given moment. On the other hand, players in the Z-A Battle Club can bring as many Pokémon as they want, but can only use three per battle. An interesting point to note is that Battle Royals offer single-player gameplay against NPCs, making them more versatile than the Battle Club in this aspect.

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2025-08-19 20:04