To battle or trade in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, first unlock Link Play through Mable’s Research, then open the X menu and choose Link Play. Pick Nearby Players for local wireless or Faraway Players for internet play. Battles use a host-created room passcode; trading partners enter the same eight-digit code.
Unlock Link Play first
Link Play is not available at the start of the game. Nintendo Support says its menu option appears in the X menu after you unlock the Rewards feature in Mable’s Research, which Nintendo estimates takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours of play. See Nintendo’s Link Play setup guide.
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| 1 |
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Choose local wireless or internet play
- Open the X menu and select Link Play.
- Select Nearby Players to connect using local wireless, or Faraway Players to play over the internet.
Internet play requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nintendo also requires each system to have a copy of Pokémon Legends: Z-A or Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, updated to the latest version. Nearby Players is the local wireless option; it is not the internet route. The Pokémon Company likewise describes Link Battles as connecting nearby players locally or distant players online with a Link Code, and says internet battles require a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership (official Pokémon battle overview).
Set up a private battle
A private battle uses a room passcode created by the host. Nintendo says battles support up to four players, including the host.
#1 Best Overall
- Venture into Hyperspace Lumiose in this additional story content that can be accessed after completing the main game
- Work with the mysterious baker, Ansha, to make donuts that awaken the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa’s power and grant you and your Pokémon a variety of useful effects
- Join Team MZ and the Mega Evolution Successor, Korrina, to investigate Hyperspace Lumiose, the otherworldly home to rare and hyper-strong Pokémon
- Discover new Mega Evolutions such as Mega Raichu X, Mega Raichu Y, Mega Chimecho and Mega Baxcalibur
- Claim Holo-X and Holo-Y in-game apparel items, which you can wear as soon as you are able to customize your character’s look and outfit in the main game
- The host opens Link Play, selects Private Battle, and chooses Nearby Players or Faraway Players.
- Select the option to create a room. Share the generated Room Passcode with the other players.
- Each guest chooses the matching connection option, selects Join a Room, and enters the passcode.
- Once everyone has joined, the host starts the battle and selects the rules.
- Each player chooses a Battle Team and marks themselves All Set to begin.
Trade Pokémon using a shared eight-digit code
Link Trade is a two-player exchange. Unlike a private battle, there is no host-created room passcode: both players enter the same eight-digit code to find one another.
- Both players open Link Play and choose Link Trade.
- Choose the same connection type—Nearby Players for local wireless or Faraway Players for internet—and enter the same eight-digit code.
- Select OK. When the game matches you, choose a Pokémon and select Offer up.
- Review the offered Pokémon. Each player must select Trade it to complete the exchange.
Play Ranked Battles with a room
Ranked Battles use an internet room. The host creates a room and shares its passcode; the other players join with that code. The host starts the battle and chooses the rules, and each participant selects a Battle Team and readies up. Nintendo describes Ranked Battles as supporting up to four players. Because this mode requires internet play, each player needs Nintendo Switch Online and an up-to-date copy of the game on their system.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- [4K ULTRA HD PERFORMANCE] Protect the peace in Lumiose City in this enhanced edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 system, featuring native 4K resolution and a stable 60FPS frame rate. Experience the urban re-development plan with high-fidelity textures and advanced lighting effects centered around the iconic Prism Tower.
- [REAL-TIME BATTLE ENGINE] For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, command your Pokémon in seamless real-time battles. Engage over 100+ unique species with zero loading transitions, utilizing an upgraded combat AI that leverages the increased processing power of the Switch 2 hardware.
- [MEGA EVOLUTION MECHANICS] Master the power of Mega Evolution to suppress rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon appearing across the Kalos region. This edition introduces 15+ newly discovered Mega-Evolved forms, each rendered with dynamic particle effects and exclusive Z-A signature moves for tactical depth.
- [MULTIPLAYER Z-A ROYALE] Compete in the Z-A Royale each night to test your skills against global Trainers. Supported by Nintendo Switch 2's improved low-latency wireless architecture, these competitive events allow you to climb leaderboards and unlock rare evolution stones in 20-player lobbies.
- [EXPANSIVE WILD ZONES] Explore vibrant Wild Zones where Pokémon roam free in their natural habitats, from bustling city shops to hidden restaurants. This Hong Kong physical edition is region-free and supports English, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese, featuring the enigmatic AZ and the peacekeeping Team MZ.
Rank #2
- Your journey will take you to all manner of sights in the streets arrayed around Prism Tower, including shops, restaurants, and places called wild zones—where Pokémon roam free.
- As you catch, train, and battle Pokémon, there will be plenty of people to meet too—like AZ, the enigmatic owner of Hotel Z.
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