There is one Pokémon that would be perfect to pair up with the protagonist of region like Pokémon Legends: Arceus allowed, Z-A is going to be set primarily in Lumiose City, part of Pokémon’s Kalos region from the main series games Pokémon X and Y. Pairing the main character up with a Pokémon from the game’s unique setting seems like the perfect idea.

The announcement trailer for Pokémon Legends: Z-A teased several Pokémon that were first introduced in the Kalos region. As great as Pokémon like Furfrou and Sylveon are, and how well they fit into the setting, it would make more sense to pair the main character of the game up with a more unique Pokémon, similar to Scarlet and Violet’s Koraidon and Miraidon. Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s gameplay confirmed that the perfect partner Pokémon will at least be in the game, so hopefully, it can play a big role in the story too.

Zygarde Cores Would Make Adorable Partner Pokémon

Zygarde Starts Off As A Small Cute Blob Before Turning Into A Legendary Pokémon

Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s Gameplay Trailer showed off one of the game’s legendary Pokémon, Zygarde. Zygarde originates from the Kalos region and is said to serve as the protector of its ecosystem. This makes it a solid fit for a Pokémon that might have something to say if Lumiose City’s new development project gets too ambitious and starts to impact the surrounding natural environments.

However, Zygarde’s massive, slug-like 50% form wouldn’t make for the best partner Pokémon, and having a Legendary to start the game might be a little busted. Still, partnering players with a Zygarde Core would be perfect.

Zygarde Cores are adorable little green blobs that are essentially Zygarde’s brain. Once enough Zygarde Cells are assembled around a Core, Zygarde takes on a larger, more coherent form. For instance, at 25% completion, Zygarde resembles a Doberman with a scarf.

Having a little Zygarde Core following behind the player, or riding on their hat, would be a cute addition to Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and help players establish a strong connection with Zygarde. It could also introduce some unique gameplay elements that would make Pokémon Legends: Z-A stand out from other entries.

Cores & Cells Would Make Legends: Z-A's Story & Gameplay Fresh

Zygarde’s Many Cells Would Be The Perfect Collectible

Starting players out with a Zygarde Core as a partner would allow Pokémon Legends: Z-A to use Zygarde Cells as a form of collectible. This could either be an ongoing side quest, with players finding them hidden in different areas of the city, or it could be a reason why players do certain missions in the game. Players could be told that there is a Zygarde Cell in a specific location, leading to them becoming embroiled in the game’s larger plot when they stumble upon something going on there.

Once the player collects more Zygarde Cells, there are a few cool ways the game could have this impact their partner Pokémon. Maybe the Zygarde Core begins to change form, like turning into Zygarde’s dog form partway through the game. This is still a manageable-sized Pokémon for a partner and would give players a sense of progression as they upgraded their partner.

Alternatively, Pokémon Legends: Z-A could introduce fresh forms of Zygarde and give it new abilities. Maybe the game shows that Zygarde is able to change forms at will, allowing it to take on shapes that have specific utility in the game. This could allow Zygarde to serve a similar purpose to the partner Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet. Whatever direction the game chose, having Cell collection as a major component of the game would help to give it a solid structure to build around.

Zygarde Core Would Make A Cute Callback To The Anime

A Zygarde Core Named Squishy Played A Major Role In The Anime

Having a Zygarde Core as a partner Pokémon is actually something that has precedent in the Pokémon anime. During the Pokémon XYZ era of the series, Ash and his companions stumble upon a Zygarde Core and end up bringing it along with them. Not knowing what it is at first, Bonnie names the Core Squishy, and the show’s core group works to protect it against Team Flare.

Team Flare is trying to capture Squishy to use Zygarde’s power, a plan that almost destroys all human life. Luckily, Ash’s time with Squishy helped convince Zygarde that humanity was worth saving.

This wouldn’t be the first time a Pokémon game used the anime as inspiration. The clearest example is Pokémon Yellow's unique story choices. Unlike Red and Blue, Yellow gave players a Pikachu as their starter, similar to Ash. It also changed the visual design of the game’s rival to look more like Gary Oak from the show.

Aside from being a fun reference to Squishy, having a Zygarde as a partner would also help the Pokémon games catch up to the anime in regards to their depiction of Zygarde. Up until now, Zygarde’s backstory has been largely ignored by the Pokémon games.

Though it has made multiple appearances, it never got the same level of focus in the game’s story as more prominent Legendaries like Kyogre and Groudon in Gen 3. Letting players develop a unique relationship with Zygarde would take it from one of the most underutilized Legendaries to one of the best represented.

Why Zygarde Cores Might Not Be Partner Pokémon

Zygarde Has Rarely Been Given A Prominent Role In Pokémon Games

It seems pretty clear that Zygarde will play some role in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Not only did it show up in one of the trailers, but the “Z” in the title shares Zygarde’s colors and hexagonal pattern. However, it seems somewhat unlikely that players will get to have the legendary Pokémon as their partner throughout the game. This is partly mechanical, and partly due to how Zygarde has been handled in the franchise.

Zygarde Cores don’t have a move set. Players would still need a second starter Pokémon to go along with it, or else the game would have to come up with an entirely new set of moves for Zygarde Cores.

The former seems like a somewhat clunky way to start a game, while the latter seems unlikely given Zygarde’s treatment in the Pokémon games so far. While Pokémon Legends: Z-A will likely involve Zygarde in some form, its treatment in past games would indicate that it’s not a Legendary that Game Freak is particularly interested in focusing on.

Source: The Pokémon Channel/YouTube