Nintendo Deep Dive

Pokémon Legends Z-A Demo Fast-Paced Combat, Dodging, Cooldowns, and Strategy: The Internet's Take on Legends Z-A


Listen Later

Welcome to a new episode where we break down the most talked-about preview from Pokemon Worlds 2025: the Pokemon Legends: Z-A demo!

Attendees got their hands on this highly anticipated title, and the insights are pouring in. This demo, split into two thrilling segments, provided a first look at the game's groundbreaking real-time combat system.

Gone are the traditional turn-based battles; instead, trainers must think on the fly, managing moves with cooldowns, actively dodging attacks, and even utilizing stealth attacks for tactical advantages against trainers.

We also dive deep into the revamped Mega Evolution mechanics, which require players to collect "Mega Energy" orbs during battles to activate and sustain these powerful transformations, especially when facing formidable "Rogue Mega Pokémon" boss fights.

Beyond the combat, we explore the visuals and performance on the Switch 2, noting a "buttery smooth" 60 frames per second and significant artistic improvements, including the use of ambient occlusion and a unique "hand-drawn" aesthetic that aims for a cohesive visual experience.

While Lumios City's visual density is praised, some concerns about its overall blandness and the map's apparent size are discussed.

We’ll also touch on returning features like held items and the early game introduction of characters like AZ and Zygarde 10%.

Join us as we unpack whether this demo truly indicates the series is heading into its next generation, bringing a much-needed reinvention to the world of Pokémon!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Nintendo Deep DiveBy Nintendo Deep Dive