Los 5 errores fatales de los últimos juegos de Pokémon que Leyendas Z-A no puede permitirse

Few video game franchises can boast the numbers of Pokémon. Every new release, regardless of its technical state, breaks records. However, this success is a double-edged sword: it has allowed The Pokémon Company and Game Freak to normalize unacceptable technical quality for an IP of its stature.

Games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (and to a lesser extent, Legends Arceus) not only presented frame rate issues or bugs; they have shown a lack of environmental design and optimization that doesn’t match the company’s resources. The promise of Pokémon Legends: Z-A is to deliver a title with an urban focus and a new scale, a challenge that could be its redemption… or its downfall.

Error 1: The «fog syndrome» and aggressive pop-in

The main criticism of the eighth and ninth generations was the Switch’s inability to render open-world environments properly.

The massive pop-in and the absurdly short draw distance in Scarlet and Violet destroyed the immersion of its open world. Pokémon appeared out of nowhere, and characters moved with animations that were few frames away in the distance. If Pokémon Legends: Z-A wants to honor the concept of Luminalia City, a vibrant and complex metropolis, it needs a graphic engine that manages the load of elements without relying on artificial fog or the sudden appearance of NPCs. With the arrival of the new console, performance must be a non-negotiable foundation. Check out the first look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A and its focus on Luminalia City here.

Error 2: Stagnant animations and the combat routine

Although the Legends series renewed the combat concept (introducing Strong and Agile moves), the animations of the Pokémon in battle remain, in many cases, generic or reused from a decade ago.

The community has expressed frustration over the lack of impact and weight in the Pokémon’s moves. When a Hydro Pump seems like a sluggish water spray, the dynamism is lost. Pokémon Legends: Z-A must seize its reintroduction of Mega Evolutions to give them the visual weight they deserve. Moves that increase or decrease stats should be accompanied by visual effects and animations that justify the strategic shift. It’s a golden opportunity to revitalize the visual system.

Error 3: The precedent of «relevant content blocked» (DLC/exclusivity)

The viral factor isn’t just technical but economic. Recently, there have been rumors and trends suggesting that certain novelties (like Mega Evolutions) could be tied to expansion passes or special editions.

The management of post-launch content in Pokémon has always sparked debate. While it’s not a technical error, it’s a strategic mistake and consumer-facing issue that could alienate the fan base. There is concern that even to obtain some Mega Evolutions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, players might have to pay more money either through expansion passes or premium editions. A strategy that hides core content behind paywalls at the start would damage the image of «definitive game» that Z-A aims to project.

Error 4: The rigidity of the multiplayer experience and connection

Online interaction, especially in the open world, has historically been clumsy in Pokémon. Restrictions on creature transfer and connectivity management must be modernized.

Online is not just for battles; it’s for shared experiences. If the final version of Pokémon Legends: Z-A confirms the restrictions in Pokémon HOME the limitation on transferring collected creatures could discourage the hardcore community. The new console requires a robust, intuitive, and above all, frame drop-free connection system.

Error 5: The «Cross-Gen» poorly implemented and the pressure of Switch 2

The last great game in the saga is a cross-gen title or a bridge to the new hardware. The feeling that the game is limited by the old console is unacceptable at this point.

We all know that Pokémon Legends: Z-A is destined to be a showcase for the new console. However, the pressure to release special editions and launch packages should not translate into a product that feels limited by the technical support of Switch 1. The fatal mistake would be if this game, designed to impress on the new hardware, feels graphically burdened by the obligation to run on the base model. The Legends Pokémon Z-A generation is the moment for Game Freak to show that it can prioritize technical quality over launch speed.

The obligation of a new standard

The Pokémon community is tired of excuses. If Pokémon Legends: Z-A fails again in the fundamental pillars (performance, frame rate, and credible world design), it won’t be a simple mistake, but a declaration of intent about the franchise’s future. With the power of the new console, the ball is now in Game Freak’s court. We expect, and demand, a title that is worthy of the world’s most valuable IP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljtiuly8faq

Comment on what you expect from Pokémon Legends: Z-A! Do you think Game Freak will succeed?