Pokemon Legends: Z-A introduces Z-A Royale

Pokemon Legends: Z-A today has revealed a new mechanic known as Z-A Royale. This happens at night, and it’s a tournament.

Trainers will appear in battle zones, and if you’re spotted, they’ll challenge you to battle. After starting at Rank Z, you’ll move up to Rank A.

Thanks to The Pokemon Company, we have the following rundown:

When night falls in Lumiose City, a battle zone with red borders made from cutting-edge holographic technology will appear somewhere within the city. Trainers compete in these battle zones from dusk until dawn as part of the Z-A Royale, a fierce competition where participants start at Rank Z and battle their way to Rank A. Only the strongest will claim the top rank, and those who reach Rank A may even have one in-game wish granted. As players navigate the competition, they’ll encounter other competitors and friends who will test their skills, like either Urbain or Taunie.

During the day, Trainers can explore wild zones to catch and train Pokémon in preparation for upcoming battles at night. When the battle zone becomes active, timing and strategy are key as landing a surprise attack can provide a critical advantage and escaping higher-ranked opponents may sometimes be necessary. To succeed in the Z-A Royale, players must make the most of both day and night, strengthening their teams for any challenges that await in Lumiose City.

Take a look at a trailer for the Z-A Royale in Pokemon Legends: Z-A below.

Nintendo Direct Trailer

Pokemon Legends: Z-A launches on Nintendo Switch in 2025. All news from today’s Nintendo Direct can be found here.