When I first started playing Pokémon Legends Z-A, I kept finding these weird Colorful Screws all over Lumiose City. At first, I had no idea what they were for – the game doesn’t really explain it well, and I was just collecting them thinking they might be useful later. Boy, was I right! These little purple glowing items are actually super important for boosting your gameplay experience, and I’m here to tell you everything you need to know about them.
What Are Colorful Screws Anyway?
Colorful Screws are special collectible items scattered throughout Lumiose City in Pokémon Legends Z-A. They’re pretty easy to spot once you know what to look for – they glow with a distinctive purple light, and you’ll find them in some pretty interesting places. I’ve discovered them on rooftops, construction scaffolding, and other hard-to-reach spots that require some creative platforming to get to.
The game doesn’t give you much guidance about these screws, which is why I’m writing this guide. When I first started collecting them, I was honestly confused about their purpose. But trust me, they’re worth the effort to collect!
Where to Find All 100 Colorful Screws?
There are exactly 100 Colorful Screws hidden throughout Lumiose City, spread across five different districts. Each district contains 25 screws, so you’ll want to explore thoroughly. Here’s what I’ve learned about finding them:
General Tips for Finding Colorful Screws
- Look for the purple glow – This is the easiest way to spot them from a distance
- Check rooftops and scaffolding – Most screws are found in high-up locations
- Use the dodge roll (Y button) – You can gap distances by rolling off ledges
- Explore construction sites – These areas tend to have multiple screws
- Don’t worry if you can’t reach some immediately – Some areas become accessible later in the game
District Breakdown
The screws are distributed across five districts:
- Rouge District – 25 screws
- Jaune District – 25 screws
- Vert District – 25 screws
- Bleu District – 25 screws
- Magenta District – 25 screws
I found that the Rouge and Vert districts have some of the most challenging screw locations, requiring serious platforming skills. The Jaune District screws tend to be a bit more accessible for early game collection.
Where to Trade Your Colorful Screws
Okay, so you’ve been collecting these screws like crazy – now what? The game doesn’t make this obvious, but you need to take them to Racine Construction to trade them for some really useful items.
Finding Racine Construction
Racine Construction is located on South Boulevard in the Vert District. Here’s how I found it:
- Fast travel to the Vert Pokémon Center
- Head to the outer ring road of Lumiose City
- Go north until you see the Racine Construction building
- Look for a construction worker with a yellow scarf standing outside
When I first went there, I almost missed the worker! He’s standing in front of a large closed gate, and he’ll say “Trade your Colorful Screws for Canari Plush here” when you approach him.
Pro tip: Make sure you actually go inside the Racine Construction building to unlock it as a fast travel point. This will save you tons of time later when you want to trade in more screws!
What You Can Get?: The Amazing Canari Plushes
This is where the real magic happens! Those Colorful Screws can be traded for Canari Plush dolls, which provide passive bonuses to your gameplay. And the best part? You can have all of them active at once – no need to choose just one!
Who is Canari?
Before I dive into the plushes, let me tell you about Canari. She’s actually a famous streamer in Lumiose City, and these plush dolls are based on her. You’ll meet her later in the game, but for now, you can enjoy her adorable plush dolls and their benefits. The folks at Racine Construction are huge fans of hers, which is why they’re trading these plushes for screws.
All Five Canari Plush Types and Their Effects
There are five different Canari Plush dolls you can collect, each with unique effects. I’ve tested all of them extensively, and I’m going to break down exactly what each one does and how much they cost.
Complete Canari Plush Guide
| Canari Plush | Effect | Level 1 (3 Screws) | Level 2 (5 Screws) | Level 3 (8 Screws) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Canari Plush | Increases Exp. Points | +5% Exp earned | +10% Exp earned | +15% Exp earned |
| Gold Canari Plush | Increases prize money from battles | Prize medal conversion ×1.15 | Prize medal conversion ×1.299 | Prize medal conversion ×1.5 |
| Pink Canari Plush | Increases Mega Shards from crystals | Small: 2-4, Large: 8-12 | Small: 3-5, Large: 10-14 | Small: 5-7, Large: 14-18 |
| Green Canari Plush | Increases your health | HP increases to 150 | HP increases to 200 | HP increases to 250 |
| Blue Canari Plush | Makes catching Pokémon easier | Catch rate +10% | Catch rate +20% | Catch rate +35% |
My Personal Experience with Each Plush
I’ve spent a lot of time testing each of these plushes, and I want to share my honest thoughts about each one:
Red Canari Plush: This was actually the first one I got, since the game gives you a free Level 1 version early on. The EXP boost is nice, especially when you’re trying to level up new Pokémon for your team. At Level 3, that 15% boost really adds up over time.
Gold Canari Plush: I wasn’t sure about this one at first, but man, does it make a difference! The increased prize money from battles means you can buy more items, Poké Balls, and other essentials. When I maxed this one out, I noticed a significant improvement in my in-game economy.
Pink Canari Plush: This one surprised me! I didn’t think I’d care much about Mega Shards, but they’re actually crucial for getting Mega Stones later in the game. When I upgraded this to Level 3, I was getting tons of shards from every crystal I smashed.
Green Canari Plush: Honestly, this is probably my least-used plush. The extra health is nice, but I found that I didn’t really need it unless I was struggling with a particularly tough Rogue Mega Evolution fight. Still, it’s worth having for those challenging moments.
Blue Canari Plush: This is my absolute favorite! The catch rate bonus makes such a huge difference, especially when you’re trying to catch rare or difficult Pokémon. At Level 3, that 35% boost is insane – I went from struggling to catch certain Pokémon to snagging them on the first or second try.
Which Canari Plush Should You Get First?
Based on my experience playing through the game, here’s my recommended priority order for getting and upgrading your Canari Plushes:
Priority Order:
- Blue Canari Plush – Start with this one! The catch rate bonus is invaluable throughout the entire game, making it much easier to build your team with the Pokémon you actually want.
- Pink Canari Plush – Get this second because Mega Shards become increasingly important as you progress. You’ll need them for Mega Stones, which are essential for late-game content.
- Gold Canari Plush – Third priority because the extra money helps you buy better items and more Poké Balls, which is always useful.
- Red Canari Plush – Fourth since you already get a free Level 1 version, but it’s worth upgrading for the better EXP bonuses.
- Green Canari Plush – Save this for last since it’s the most situational. Only upgrade it if you find yourself struggling with damage in battles.
Total Screw Requirements
To max out every single Canari Plush to Level 3, you’ll need:
- 16 screws per plush (3 + 5 + 8)
- 80 screws total for all five plushes
Since there are 100 Colorful Screws in the game, you’ll have 20 screws left over after maxing everything out. Not too bad, right?
Advanced Tips for Colorful Screw Collection
I’ve learned some tricks while collecting all 100 screws that I want to share with you:
Early Game Collection Strategy
When I first started, I made the mistake of trying to get every screw immediately. Don’t do this! Some screws are in areas you can’t reach until you progress further in the story. Instead, I recommend:
- Focus on easily accessible screws first
- Don’t stress about the ones you can’t reach yet
- Come back to difficult areas after getting more movement upgrades
- Use the fast travel system efficiently once you unlock more points
Late Game Collection Tips
Once you’ve progressed further in the game, here’s what worked for me:
- Use the dodge roll consistently – Many screws require gap-jumping with the Y button
- Look for purple glows from high vantage points – You can spot screws from far away
- Check every rooftop and scaffold – Even if it looks unreachable, there might be a way
- Save frequently – Some platforming sections can be frustrating, and you don’t want to lose progress
The Hidden Reward
Here’s something cool I discovered: when you collect all 100 Colorful Screws, you get a special reward! You’ll receive a giant Canari plush as decoration for your room at Hotel Z. It’s purely cosmetic, but it’s a nice acknowledgement of your completion efforts.
Common Questions About Colorful Screws
I’ve seen a lot of players asking the same questions about Colorful Screws, so let me address the most common ones:
Do I need to equip the Canari Plushes?
Nope! That’s one of the best things about them. Once you buy a Canari Plush, its effect is automatically active. You don’t need to equip it or manage it in any way. Just having it in your inventory is enough.
Can I use multiple plushes at the same time?
Absolutely! This is what makes the system so great. You can have all five Canari Plushes active simultaneously, stacking all their bonuses. I love this design because it means you don’t have to choose between different benefits.
What happens if I miss some screws?
Don’t worry! You can go back and collect screws at any time after you’ve unlocked the corresponding areas. The game doesn’t lock you out of any screws, so take your time and enjoy the exploration.
Are the screws worth collecting?
In my opinion, absolutely yes! The bonuses from the Canari Plushes make a noticeable difference in gameplay, and some of them (like the Blue plush’s catch rate bonus) are practically essential for a smooth experience.
My Final Thoughts on Colorful Screws
After spending countless hours collecting all 100 Colorful Screws and maxing out every Canari Plush, I can honestly say that this is one of my favorite collectible systems in recent Pokémon games. It encourages exploration, rewards thorough players, and provides meaningful gameplay benefits.
What I love most about it is how it ties into the game’s themes of urban exploration and discovery. Lumiose City feels alive and full of secrets, and the Colorful Screws are the perfect incentive to really get to know every corner of the city.
The platforming challenges required to reach some screws can be frustrating at times, but I found that overcoming these challenges made the rewards feel even more satisfying. There’s nothing quite like finally reaching that screw that’s been taunting you from an impossible-looking rooftop!
Wrapping Up
I hope this guide helps you make the most of Colorful Screws in Pokémon Legends Z-A! Remember to take your time, enjoy the exploration, and don’t get too frustrated with the tricky platforming sections. The rewards are definitely worth the effort.
If you found this guide helpful, make sure to check out our other Pokémon Legends Z-A guides for more tips and tricks. And if you’re looking for more gaming content, we’ve got plenty of other game guides that might interest you!
Happy screw hunting, trainers! May your catch rates be high and your EXP gains be plentiful!