Look, everyone is scouring the Pokémon Legends: Z-A teaser trailer like it’s the Zapruder film. We’ve all seen the wireframe blueprints of Lumiose City and that neon-drenched "Urban Redevelopment Plan" logo. But lately, a very specific, weirdly granular detail has set the community on fire: the Pokémon ZA colorful screws.
It sounds like a stretch. Why would anyone care about hardware? Well, because Game Freak doesn’t usually put distinct, color-coded assets in a cinematic trailer unless they mean something for the gameplay loop. Honestly, if you look at the history of the Legends series, the smallest environmental clues often point toward the main crafting or progression mechanics.
Remember the Tumblestones in Legends: Arceus? They were everywhere. These colorful screws seem to be the Z-A equivalent, but with a much more industrial, "rebuilding a city" vibe.
Why the Pokémon ZA Colorful Screws Are Driving Everyone Crazy
In the initial teaser, there are several moments where we see architectural sketches and digital wireframes. If you pause at just the right millisecond, you’ll notice specific hexagonal and circular icons that look suspiciously like screw heads or bolts. They aren't just grey. They’re tinted with specific hues—vibrant reds, deep blues, and yellows.
In a game focused on the "Urban Redevelopment" of Lumiose City, these aren't just aesthetic choices. They're likely a resource. You’re not just catching Pokémon this time; you’re helping build a metropolis.
Think about the setting. Kalos is the land of fashion, art, and mega evolution. But it's also a region defined by its history of war and ultimate weapons. The "Z-A" title itself implies a return to roots—from the end (Z) back to the beginning (A). If Lumiose is being rebuilt, you’re going to need materials.
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Many fans have pointed out that these screws might be the "Stardust" or "Iron Chunks" of this game. You’ll probably be scavenging these across the different plazas of Lumiose to upgrade your gear or, more interestingly, to help finish specific construction projects in the city's five main plazas.
Is This Related to Magearna or Zygarde?
We have to talk about the mechanical elephant in the room. Magearna is a literal clockwork Pokémon. It’s made of gears, springs, and—you guessed it—bolts and screws. While Magearna is technically an Alolan mythical, its origins are tied to a "kingdom of mechanical marvels" from 500 years ago.
There is a very real possibility that the Pokémon ZA colorful screws are used for "tuning" or repairing mechanical Pokémon or even the Zygarde Cells. In Pokémon X and Y, Zygarde was just... there. It didn't have much of a story. Then Sun and Moon introduced the Cube and the 100 Cells.
What if the redevelopment plan isn't just for people? What if the "screws" are parts of the infrastructure needed to house and stabilize Zygarde’s different forms within the city limits? It sounds wild, but Game Freak loves a good "collect-athon" mechanic to keep players busy between story beats.
The Color Coding Theory
If you've played any RPG in the last decade, you know that color usually denotes rarity or elemental affinity.
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- Red Screws: Might relate to Fire-types or simply "Power" components for the city’s electrical grid.
- Blue Screws: Could be for water filtration or "Cooling" systems.
- Yellow Screws: Almost certainly tied to the Prism Tower’s electricity or Electric-type Pokémon integration.
It's not just about building houses. Lumiose City is famous for its blackout in the original games. You spent half the game blocked by a guy who told you the power was out. Maybe this time, you're the one making sure the lights stay on by collecting these components.
Dealing With the "Lumiose-Only" Limitation
A lot of people are worried that staying inside Lumiose City will feel cramped. It won't. If the city is being rebuilt in real-time as you play, the "colorful screws" might be your ticket to unlocking new areas.
Think of it like a Metroidvania. You find a "Blue Screw" component, you give it to an NPC architect, and suddenly the bridge to the Hibernal Avenue opens up. This keeps the gameplay loop focused and rewarding. You aren't just wandering a field; you're participating in urban planning.
It's also worth noting that the "A" in Z-A could stand for AZ, the 3,000-year-old king. His Floette is the ultimate symbol of the region's history. If the game involves time travel—which the Legends branding strongly suggests—these "screws" might be the bridge between the ancient technology of the Ultimate Weapon and the modern "redevelopment" era.
What This Means for Your Playstyle
If this material-gathering theory holds true, your "Search and Collect" reflex needs to be sharp. In Arceus, we flew around on Braviary looking for ore veins. In Z-A, we might be scouring the back alleys and rooftops of a 3D Paris-inspired skyline.
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Expect the following:
- Verticality: Screws won't just be on the ground. They’ll be on scaffolding, rafters, and hidden in vents.
- Pokémon Assistance: You’ll likely need specific Pokémon to "unscrew" or retrieve these items. A Scizor might be better at mechanical work than a Snorlax.
- Trade-ins: There’s almost certainly going to be a "Boutique" or "Workshop" where these colorful items are traded for Mega Stones.
Honestly, the Mega Evolution aspect is the biggest draw here. We know Megas are back. But how do you get the stones? In the old games, you just found them on the floor or got them from NPCs. In a "redevelopment" setting, it makes much more sense if you craft the infrastructure to harness Mega Evolution energy using these specific industrial parts.
Actionable Steps for the Hype Train
While we wait for the next Nintendo Direct or Pokémon Presents, here is how you can actually prepare for the mechanics likely tied to the Pokémon ZA colorful screws:
- Replay the Lumiose City segments in X and Y: Get familiar with the layout of the five plazas (Rose, Blue, Green, Magenta, and Yellow). The colors of the screws almost certainly correspond to these specific city sectors.
- Brush up on Mega Evolution lore: Specifically, look into the "Mega Stones are irradiated evolutionary stones" theory. If we are building a city, we might be building the very machines that create or refine these stones.
- Don't ignore the "Legends" crafting system: If you haven't finished Legends: Arceus, do it now. It is the blueprint. Understanding how Game Freak handles resource management in a semi-open world is key to hitting the ground running in Z-A.
- Watch the trailer in 4K at 0.25x speed: Look specifically at the wireframe transitions. Note where the circular "bolt" icons appear relative to the buildings. Those are your future farm spots.
The mystery of the screws might seem small, but in the world of Pokémon, the smallest gear often turns the biggest wheels. We are looking at a game that prioritizes construction and evolution in a way we haven't seen before. Get ready to start scavenging.