Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s New Link Battles Offer 4-Player Competitive Free-For-All Matches

Players must eliminate the most number of opposing Pokémon in three minutes to win, and there's plenty of room for strategizing.

Game Freak has dropped a new trailer for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, outlining the Battle Club and Link Battles. This new multiplayer mode sees four players battling it out in a free-for-all – the one to eliminate the most Pokémon within the three-minute time limit wins. Check it out below.

Since it’s a knockdown, drag-out brawl in real-time, players can opt to attack first, but if they hang back, there are power-ups to gather on the edges for a strong late-game play. Each defeated Pokémon is worth one point, and there are no restrictions on moves or Mega Evolutions.

Even more intriguing is that you can re-enter the fray after a Pokémon faints and continue fighting, as long as there’s time remaining. The competitive leanings of Link Battles are apparent, especially with opportunities to gank opponents or come in with a power play at the last moment.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A launches on October 16th for Nintendo Switch 1 and 2. It’s playable at Nintendo’s booth during Gamescom, allowing attendees to go hands-on with its new features and modes from August 20th to 24th.

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