Changes

The appearance of the portal differs between ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL]]'' and ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V]]''; in ''ZEXAL'', the portal is usually a simple red vortex that twists shut and explodes in multi-colored light, but certain monsters have unique or specially designed Overlay Networks of a different color or design. The most obvious example is the "[[Number]]" archetype, which employs a more gradiose visual of yellow particles over a dark purple nebulosity, forming a distinct spiral shape highly resembling a stylized galaxy. This animation is likely a reference to a statement from Konami that says Xyz Monsters entered our universe through a black hole.

Interestingly, all Xyz Summons in ''ARC-V'' used this "galaxy-style portal", although compacted in size, as well as replacing the "shutting and exploding" effect with a simpler pillar of blue energy erupting out from the center. Subvariations exist, such as "[[Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon (anime)|Odd-Eyes Raging Dragon]]" producing red energy instead. Of note, an Xyz Summon performed using monsters that have been [[Pendulum Summon]]ed is referred to as a "Pendulum-Xyz Summon", and [[Shay Obsidian]] also refers to an Xyz Summon performed using both an Xyz Monster and a non-Xyz Monster as materials as a "[[Cross Xyz Summon]]".