Pokémon Legends Z-Ais, in many respects, the make-or-break moment for the franchise. It comes hot off the heels of the disastrous launch ofPokémon Scarlet and Violet, as well as the somewhat muted reception toSword and Shield. WhileLegends Arceuswas a triumphant return to form for the series - in large part thanks to its deviating fromPokémon’stypical rigid and outdated formula - it really needs a solid title to win over fans and uphold its legacy that it has built across nearly three decades.
Of course,Pokémoncan’t simply return to its roots, nor can it stick with its current formula, as neither would really please fans. What many, including myself, want to see is for it to do something a little different, much like its direct competitors in the indie space.Legends Z-Ais fixingPokémonin many respects, or, at least, doing something a little different, such as with its combat and single-city location, butwhat it needs most of all is a lot more creativity, and for it to perhaps even embrace the impressive new features of the Switch 2.
Pokémon Legends Z-A Should Use The Switch 2’s Mouse
It Could Make Catching Pokémon More Immersive
One of theSwitch 2’s best innovationsis its mouse-like Joy-Cons. These, while not useful for every game on the console, have proven to be especially helpful in strategy titles likeCivilization 7and even shooters likeMetroid Prime 4: Beyond. However, while they have been used for some more experimental titles, such asSuper Mario Party Jamboree, and are even getting a smaller first-party game dedicated to them,I’m yet to see them be used in interesting ways in any major titles as either a primary or secondary mechanic.
That’s wherePokémon Legends: Z-Acomes in, as I believe the mouse functionality of the Switch 2 Joy-Cons is perfectly suited for its gameplay. Specifically,the mouse function could be used to catch Pokémon, with players having to drag the mouse upwards to throw the Poké Ball, akin to the catching minigame present inPokémon Let’s Go Eevee and Pikachu. This would give players a little more agency over catching Pokémon, turning the process from scrolling through a series of menus to an interactive element that showcases the console’s new features.
Pokémonneeds that injection of fun and interactivity, as it is often bogged down in stats and trawling through menus.Pokémonhas felt outdatedfor a while, and, as a result, lacks the sense of adventure and wonder it once had. Having players throw Poké Balls by pushing the Joy-Con forward, and even assigning scores or adding an element of timing to it, would make the whole experience feel a lot more exciting and bring back a little bit of that wonder. It doesn’t have to be a completely skill-based minigame, but making it even somewhat challenging could be fun.
Legends Z-A Needs To Embrace The Switch 2’s Camera
It Could Allow For Voice Commands
Another aspect of the Nintendo Switch 2 thatPokémon Legends: Z-Ashould utilize is its camera. WhileGame Chat is somewhat disappointing, especially in how choppy and laggy it can be when showcasing your gameplay to friends,using the camera as a way of projecting your voice into the game would also help the experience feel more interactive. For example, you could shout the names of moves you want your Pokémon to use in the heat of battle, much like how it is done in the anime, which, I’d at the very least, find very exciting.
This isn’t dissimilar to how the DS utilized its microphone in certain minigames, such as having players blow into it to push an object forward.You could also use the Switch 2’s camera to talk to Pokémon during downtime, allowing you to deepen your bond with them by actually communicating with them. That’s not to say that Game Freak should make the Pokémon talk back, but as someone who often praises his Pokémon whenever they land a critical hit, that actually being projected into the game and getting even a basic reaction as a result would be fun.
The camera could be used in multiplayer battles, projecting your face onto the screen so that your opponent can see your reaction to losing or, hopefully, winning a battle, and vice versa.
On a more basic level,the camera could be used in multiplayer battles, projecting your face onto the screen so that your opponent can see your reaction to losing or, hopefully, winning a battle, and vice versa. This works perfectly inMario Kart World, so it would make sense for it to work inPokémon Legends: Z-Aas well. It is also exciting to think about how the mouse and camera could be used beyondLegends: Z-A, such asreviving forgottenPokémonfranchiseslikePokémon Ranger, or really any that once heavily relied on the use of a stylus.
Pokémon Needs To Be More Creative
It Needs A Boost Of Nintendo’s Signature Whimsy
I think my desire forPokémon Legends: Z-Ato use some of the Nintendo Switch 2’s most innovative features is becauseI believePokémonneeds to be more creative. While the introduction of an open world inScarlet and Violetwas interesting - even if it did lead toPokémon’smost disastrous launch- it didn’t feel like the kind of whimsical and creative update that the series needs.Arceus’introduction of stealth, Pokémon attacking you in the wild, and a greater focus on catching Pokémon rather than battling them was definitely a move in the right direction.
Pokémonhas been faltering, in my opinion, for quite some time as it sticks far too rigidly to its tried and tested formula. We also haven’t been getting as many spin-off titles beyondDetective Pikachuand the remake ofMystery DungeonandPokémon Snapon the Switch. The likes ofRanger,Conquest, andPokéParkwere exciting and innovative, taking the series in a different direction.I’m not sureLegendsis as different from the mainline games as these were, and I worry that it too will feel homogeneous and lack that sense of creative spirit those spin-offs brought with them.
Of course, the switch-up in combat and setting definitely helps, but I’d be far more excited aboutPokémon Legends: Z-Awas doing something weird and fun with the concept. Game Freak definitely has a lot of interesting ideas up its sleeve, as evidenced by its non-Pokémon-related games, but The Pokémon Company just needs to take the risk in implementing some of them. I’d love to see a more experimentalPokémongame that relies on the Nintendo Switch 2’s creative gimmicks, and perhapsPokémon Legends: Z-Acan test the waters by using the camera, mouse-like Joy-Cons, or even both.
