Pokémon Legends: Z-A May Introduce Enhanced Riding Mechanics

In recent open-world Pokémon games, Ride Pokémon have become an essential gameplay feature. New developments from a patent filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company hint that Ride Pokémon will return in Pokémon Legends: Z-A with some exciting upgrades. While the open-world nature of Pokémon Legends: Z-A had many fans expecting the return of Ride Pokémon, there's particular intrigue about how these mechanics will be adapted to fit the urban environment of Lumiose City, the game’s purported setting.

Riding Pokémon has been a part of the series since its early days, but the concept was notably expanded with the introduction of Ride Pokémon in Generation 7’s Pokémon Sun and Moon. In these games, players could traverse the Alola region on the backs of various Pokémon like Tauros, Stoutland, Lapras, Sharpedo, and Machamp. Charizard also provided a fast-travel option to previously visited locations. Each Ride Pokémon offered distinct abilities, such as Stoutland's ability to locate hidden items or Machamp’s strength to move large boulders.

Although Generation 8's games saw a return to the classic bicycle instead of Ride Pokémon, this feature remained significant in recent titles. The new patent suggests that Ride Pokémon will make a comeback in Pokémon Legends: Z-A with enhanced animation fluidity. Specifically, the patent hints at improved mechanics for boarding and disembarking from Ride Pokémon. For example, player characters might now automatically dismount from aerial Ride Pokémon when touching the ground, transitioning smoothly into normal movement—potentially through an animation designed to enhance gameplay fluidity.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A May Revamp the Ride Pokémon Experience

While games like Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet already allow for smooth transitions between air and ground travel, the patent suggests that Game Freak is working on further refinements. This could mean a new approach to Ride Pokémon mechanics or even the introduction of novel Ride Pokémon types.

In titles such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Ride Pokémon are crucial for exploring open-world environments, offering capabilities like climbing and flying. If Pokémon Legends: Z-A is indeed set exclusively in the urban landscape of Lumiose City, it will be interesting to see how these mechanics are adapted to a different type of environment, potentially reshaping the way players interact with their Ride Pokémon.