Pokemon Legends: Z-A Announcing DLC Ahead of the Game’s Full Release Is Both Bold and Unsavory

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is the boldest game from The Pokemon Company yet. A follow up to Arceus, this game focuses on Lumiose City from the Kalos region and Pokemon X and Pokemon Y. Due to be released on October 16th, Nintendo has been ramping up its marketing of the game, particularly with reveals of new Mega Evolutions. As the game gets closer to release, excitement is reaching an all-time high for fans. However, during the latest Nintendo Direct, a reveal came that put a damper on this excitement somewhat. What would normally be good news was met with unease due to the timing.

The Pokemon Company showcased new gameplay and footage for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, along with the reveal of the Mega Dimension DLC. Normally, DLC is a good thing. It ensures there will be additional content for a game and gives players more to enjoy. However, the fact that Pokemon Legends: Z-A hasn’t even been released yet is a bad sign, one that players are calling a cash grab.

The Double-Edged Sword of Pre-Release DLC

The Pokemon Company has only recently released DLC for Pokemon games. This new tradition started with Pokemon Sword and Shield and was continued in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. And now Z-A is continuing this trend. This surprised many fans, as Arceus did not receive DLC despite how popular it became. However, another aspect of this announcement surprised fans even more.

The Pokemon Company revealed this DLC before the game’s official release. On one hand, this shows the developer’s confidence in the game, which shouldn’t be a surprise considering the Pokemon series’ selling power. But on the other hand, it seems exploitative to reveal plans for DLC before the game is out. After all, if there is DLC ready, why not include it in the base game?

Players haven’t even experienced the game, and already, The Pokemon Company wants them to pay more. Was this cut from the game or truly additional content that wouldn’t be ready for release? Will the main game feel complete with the DLC? It’s hard to say without knowing the full scope of Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s base game and what the DLC adds. Regardless, this decision has left fans with mixed opinions.

Trust, Value, and the Future of Pokemon

Pokemon Legends: Z-A announcing DLC before it has even launched sets a worrying precedent. Donkey Kong Bananza is another recent Nintendo title that has received DLC, but this was revealed after launch and shadow-dropped on the same day. It’s a bold strategy from The Pokemon Company, and it may work. But it runs a huge risk, and right now it could ruin the trust fans have in the company. On its own, this could be fine, but there is other worrying information about Pokemon Legends: Z-A to consider.

The Pokemon Company is locking the Mega Evolutions for Greninja, Chesnaught, and Delphox behind online battling. Players need to rank up to unlock the Mega Stones for these Pokemon. To make this more frustrating, players won’t be able to use Pokemon in other games if they are transferred from Pokemon Home to Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Pokemon captured in this game are also ineligible to be transferred to other games.

This means players need to spend $60 on Pokemon Legends: Z-A, $30 on the Mega Dimensions DLC, and another $10 to play online to unlock the Kalos starter Mega Evolutions. $110 for content that many fans agree should have been in the base game. Before this, many Pokemon players already felt the company was being greedy, and this seems egregious. It’s nice to see the support for the game, considering Arceus did not get any, but this doesn’t seem to be the way to do it.

The Pokemon Company is walking a fine line with Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Many Pokemon fans will buy anything the company produces, but one has to start questioning these business practices. Greed could ruin the franchise, which is said considering it is targeted at kids. Charging extra for this content seems predatory and like it’s taking advantage of its audience. Only time will tell if this decision pays off or whether it is an unsavory aspect Pokemon fans will just have to accept.