Pokémon Legends: Z-A Player Automates 1,000 Battles With 3D Printer for Shiny Charm on Nintendo Switch

In the ever-evolving landscape of the Pokémon franchise, creative fans continue to push the boundaries of gameplay and automation.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest installment developed by Game Freak and available on Nintendo Switch, has captivated players with its ambitious open-world design and new gameplay mechanics.

Among its many post-launch challenges, obtaining the coveted Shiny Charm—an item that increases the chances of encountering rare Shiny Pokémon—requires trainers to complete an arduous 1,000 in-game battles, a benchmark that has inspired unique solutions from the community. One such inventive approach comes from YouTuber and hobbyist Professor Rex, who has reimagined traditional grinding through a combination of hardware ingenuity and automation.

As reported by Automaton, Professor Rex circumvented the manual grind by employing a custom setup featuring a 3D-printed mechanism alongside a conventional Turbo controller.

In this configuration, the 'A' button is set to Turbo mode, sending continual attack inputs, while a Prusa Mach 4 3D printer is programmed to methodically press the 'ZL' button, allowing the player character to lock onto enemy Pokémon automatically. This customized rig effectively enables the protagonist in Pokémon Legends: Z-A to progress through battles with minimal player intervention, marrying creativity and efficiency in pursuit of the Shiny Charm.

Through automation, the setup relieves players of the repetitive combat grind, offering a striking example of the dedication and technical prowess present within the Pokémon community on platforms like the Nintendo Switch. Professor Rex explained that the process replicates the necessary battle inputs with reliable precision, ensuring that encounters proceed smoothly while the player focuses on other tasks.

The project demonstrates not only an impressive use of technology but also highlights the dedication of players pursuing 100% completion—a pursuit especially daunting in sprawling games launched via digital storefronts like the Nintendo eShop. While this approach to progression has drawn attention for its clever design, it also raises questions about the value of in-game achievements earned through automation rather than direct gameplay.

Nevertheless, Nintendo Switch players consistently find inventive ways to engage with the Pokémon series, illustrating a thriving culture of both casual enjoyment and technical experimentation. As Pokémon Legends: Z-A continues to break sales records on the Nintendo Switch and make headlines through Nintendo Direct showcases, the game's community is certain to produce even more innovative methods for tackling its greatest challenges.

These stories serve as a testament to the enduring appeal of Pokémon and the ever-expanding creative toolkit accessible to modern gamers.

Pokémon Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch Pokémon Legends: Z-A Z Pokémon Legends Legends: Z-A Professor Rex Prusa Automaton eShop