Pokemon Legends Z-A Shiny Duplication Glitch: How Players Are Doubling Rare Pokemon

A Recent Pokemon Legends Z-A Glitch Lets Players Duplicate Shiny Pokemon on Nintendo Switch Since the early days of the Pokémon franchise, duplication glitches have occasionally surfaced, giving players unconventional ways to obtain rare Pokémon.

Now, with the release of Pokémon Legends Z-A for Nintendo Switch, fans have uncovered a new and particularly notable exploit: the ability to duplicate Shiny Pokémon.

This glitch is triggering discussions across the Pokémon community and raises questions about future updates from developer Game Freak. Pokémon Legends Z-A, developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, builds on the franchise’s legacy with refreshed gameplay mechanics and expansive open-world elements.

Released for the Nintendo Switch, the game continues to draw large audiences via both physical editions and digital sales on the Switch eShop.

One of its newest features is a mechanic that prevents Shiny Pokémon—rare, alternate-colored versions of standard Pokémon—from despawning, allowing players to return to the spot where a Shiny appeared and have another chance at catching it. However, this helpful feature has also created a loophole.

According to multiple player reports and a video demonstration from content creator AustinJohnPlays, the glitch operates as follows: After a player encounters a Shiny Pokémon and marks its location on the map, they can strategically lure the Shiny away from its original spawn point by provoking it in battle and walking a considerable distance from the initial spot.

Players then save the game once the Shiny has been moved, reload their save, and repeat the process to increasingly move the Shiny further from its origin.

The mechanic that keeps Shiny Pokémon registered at their spawn point means that, after several iterations, a duplicate Shiny will reappear at the original spawn location while the moved Shiny remains where the player left it.

This results in two identical Shiny Pokémon available for capture on the same map instance. While the process involves multiple steps and requires sufficient open space within the game, it stands out for enabling the duplication of some of the rarest Pokémon available in Legends Z-A.

As with previous bugs in earlier titles, exploits like these can disrupt in-game economies and trading ecosystems, especially among competitive players. Game Freak and Nintendo have not yet issued an official statement regarding the glitch.

Given the company’s longstanding commitment to maintaining integrity and balance within Pokémon titles, it’s likely they may address the loophole through a future software patch or update distributed via the Nintendo Switch eShop. Pokémon Legends Z-A has enjoyed strong sales on the Nintendo Switch since launch, further cementing Game Freak's reputation for innovation and adaptation within one of gaming’s longest running series.

As attention grows around this newly discovered Shiny duplication glitch, players are watching for official responses and any upcoming adjustments to gameplay.

For now, those interested in testing the exploit should do so with caution, as changes to game saves or upcoming patches could impact saved progress or access to duplicated Pokémon. Stay connected for updates as the situation develops, and visit the Switch eShop for the latest announcements and patches from Nintendo and Game Freak.

Pokémon Nintendo Switch Nintendo Rare Switch Pokemon Pokemon Legends Z-A Z Shiny Pokemon Game Freak Switch eShop AustinJohnPlays