Pokemon Legends Z-A Introduces Major Quality-of-Life Update for Shiny Pokemon

Nintendo and Game Freak have introduced a game-changing update to Shiny Pokemon encounters in the highly anticipated Pokemon Legends Z-A, scheduled for release on the Nintendo Switch.

Famous for their unique coloration and extreme rarity, Shiny Pokemon have long been a coveted prize for collectors and fans.

However, previous games often made finding and keeping a Shiny encounter a nerve-wracking experience due to despawning mechanics. According to official reports and player findings, Pokemon Legends Z-A will overhaul how Shiny Pokemon behave in the wild.

In a notable improvement, Shiny Pokemon will no longer disappear or despawn unless the player actively faints them or scares them away.

This means that even if a player walks away, closes the game, or the in-game time transitions from day to night, the discovered Shiny Pokemon will remain in its spot until the player interacts with it.

This update marks a significant departure from previous mainline Pokemon titles on Nintendo Switch such as Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, where escaping from the area or certain game events could cause a Shiny Pokemon to vanish permanently.

The new system aims to mitigate frustration among players, especially considering the notoriously low Shiny encounter rates found in the wild. In effect, the change ensures that accumulated Shiny Pokemon in the world persist over time.

The game’s auto-save function is designed to record the appearance of any Shiny Pokemon, even if it spawns outside the player’s immediate view.

This means that returning to a previously visited location could yield multiple Shiny encounters left unclaimed from earlier sessions, greatly enhancing the experience for those hoping to expand their collection.

A spokesperson for Game Freak emphasized the intent behind this adjustment, stating that the goal is to provide players with greater flexibility and reward perseverance, reducing the sense of loss or missed opportunities that was common in earlier games.

Pokemon Legends Z-A continues Game Freak’s track record of innovating within the beloved franchise while listening to community feedback.

The game is set to launch exclusively for the Nintendo Switch and will be available through both physical copies and the Nintendo eShop.

As the next major entry in the series, Pokemon Legends Z-A promises to set a new standard for Shiny Pokemon hunting and overall accessibility. For more updates on Pokémon Legends Z-A, upcoming features, and Nintendo Direct announcements, stay tuned to our coverage.

Pokémon Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Pokemon Pokemon Legends Z-A Z Game Freak Shiny Pokemon