Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Evolution Puts One Old Myth to Bed

by

Alongside unveiling one of the newest Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, its latest trailer might dispel one of the franchise’s longest-standing myths. Although Game Freak announced that Mega Evolutions would reappear in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, they remained tight-lipped about adding new Mega Pokémon to the upcoming game. However, the appearance of Mega Dragonite during the recent Pokémon Presents event hints that it could be the first of several new Mega Pokémon making their debut in Legends: Z-A, given how this reveal connects to leaked Mega Evolutions from earlier in the year.

Although some fans find Mega Dragonite’s design controversial, it might serve as an unconventional means to challenge a long-standing and questionable theory within the Pokemon universe. As the Pokemon series nears its 30th anniversary following the launch of its Gen 1 games, interest in the initial generation has spawned numerous new insights and speculations among fans. However, after almost three decades, Game Freak could be leveraging Dragonite’s connections to one of these theories as an opportunity to disprove it definitively.

Mega Dragonite Disproves Pokemon’s Oldest Swapped Evolution Myth

Breaking Down Pokemon’s Gen 1 Swapped Evolution Myth

Apart from the latest whispers and leaks about Legends: Z-A, leaked beta sketches have shed light on Game Freak’s process of creating, refining, and updating Pokémon designs across games. For instance, we can see alterations in the appearance of Gen 1’s Blastoise or the resurrection of Gen 2’s water-type starter Pokemon for Gen 7. However, this method, along with other elements like common designs and Pokedex arrangements, might have inadvertently fueled the speculation that certain evolutionary lines of Gen 1 Pokémon were swapped or abandoned. For example, this theory proposes that Butterfree and Venomoth could have been interchanged, highlighting similarities between the two species’ appearances, such as their eyes, hands, and feet.

How Dragonite Fits Into Pokemon’s Gen 1 Swapped Evolution Myth

In essence, while this theory has been discredited, it continues to find favor among fans who see value in it. Some may embrace it, acknowledging its likely inaccuracy but finding it fits neatly into a developing narrative of Pokemon correlations and pairings. For instance, Marowak and Kangaskhan, Ditto as an unsuccessful Mew clone, or Genesect as a mechanical Kabutops. Dragonite is one such character that some believe might have been exchanged, as its appearance significantly deviates from the blue, serpentine designs of Dratini and Dragonair, instead resembling characters like Charmander or even Magikarp.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Brings the Dratini Line Back Together with Mega Dragonite

Despite some fans modifying the design of Mega Dragonite’s new evolution following its unveiling, Game Freak clarified that the Pokemon’s Mega Evolved form is a tribute to Dragonair, showcasing features like its pearls and wings. Although not as grandiose as other Mega pseudo-Legendary Pokémon such as Tyranitar, Metagross, or Salamence, it shares the same level of creativity with Charizard Y’s or Venusaur’s Mega forms. This redesign, along with initial comments on Mega Dragonite’s appearance, suggests that Game Freak has utilized Legends: Z-A and the revival of Mega Evolutions to reintegrate the Dratini line.

Mega Dragonair Joins Mega Charizard X and Y in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Independent of how improbable it may seem that Dragonite was intended as Gen 1’s final Fire-type starter Pokémon, the emergence of the Gen 1 pseudo-Legendary, Charizard, and their respective Mega Evolutions in “Legends: Z-A” further disproves this theory. Similarly to how Mega Charizard X and Y embodied both its draconic influences and its Charmander roots, the introduction of Mega Dragonite could serve as a similar link between it and Dragonair. Given the strong possibility of additional new Mega Evolutions appearing in “Legends: Z-A”, we’ll have to wait and see if Game Freak has employed this strategy with any other Pokémon.

Read More

2025-07-24 20:07