Mega Evolutions Return in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, But One Question Remains

by

By the end of 2025, gamers will find themselves back in the France-inspired region of Kalos, this time in the spinoff titled “Pokémon Legends: Z-A”. The game takes place after the events depicted in the 3DS titles from 2013, “Pokémon X” and “Y”. In “Pokémon Legends: Z-A”, players will explore a revamped Lumiose City, meeting both familiar and new characters as they traverse the region. Unlike the original game where players could choose between Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie, in this spinoff, you’ll get to pick from Chikorita, Tepig, or Totodile as your starter, much like Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott in “Pokémon Legends: Arceus”. The popular Mega Evolution feature from “X” and “Y” is set to make a comeback, although the exact endgame involving new Mega Evolutions remains unclear.

Pokémon’s Mega Evolution Mechanic Explained

After the launch of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 in 2012, Game Freak aimed to introduce a fresh twist to the classic Pokémon gameplay to keep players engaged and make battles more thrilling. Although the inclusion of items had enriched battles since their debut in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, common Pokémon fights had become quite repetitive and predictable by Black and White, even with double, triple, and rotation battles. To address this monotony and breathe new life into some older, often overlooked Pokémon, Game Freak unveiled a completely new battle mechanic for their first true 3D mainline Pokémon games: Mega Evolution.

Through the mighty Key Stones and Mega Stones, along with the powerful connection between trainers and their Pokemon, certain Pokemon can momentarily undergo Mega Evolution, which significantly increases their power and gives them a fresh look. However, this transformation comes at a minor trade-off as Pokemon must hold Mega Stones to undergo the change, forfeiting the chance to use helpful items like Leftovers. It’s important to note that Pokemon carrying Mega Stones don’t transform automatically during battles; instead, trainers have the option to trigger the transformation at their discretion, potentially catching opponents off guard. Besides enhancing a Pokemon’s power, Mega Evolution can also alter their stats and provide new battle types, such as turning Charizard into a Fire/Dragon type when it becomes Mega Charizard X.

Mega Evolution’s Mainline Pokémon Game History

Some specific Pokémon can undergo Mega Evolution into two distinct forms based on the stone they hold, like Mewtwo transforming into either Mega Mewtwo X or Y. In the games Pokémon X and Y, 30 Mega Evolutions were presented for a limited number of Pokémon from the first four generations such as Gengar, Heracross, Aggron, and Abomasnow. Additionally, in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, 18 more Mega Evolutions were introduced, including Mega Audino and Mega Diancie from the fifth and sixth generations. Since then, no new Mega Evolutions have been developed, as this transformation has largely been overshadowed by other related mechanics such as Z-Moves, Dynamaxing, and Terastallization.

The most recent Pokemon games that included Mega Evolution as a gameplay element were Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon for the Nintendo 3DS.

Mega Evolution’s Questionable Return in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Eight years later, the feature of Mega Evolution is set to make a comeback in a standard Pokemon game titled Pokemon Legends: Z-A. In the Pokemon Day trailer for this game, ten different forms of Mega Evolution have been displayed, among them are:

  • Mega Absol
  • Mega Altaria
  • Mega Ampharos
  • Mega Charizard X
  • Mega Charizard Y
  • Mega Gardevoir
  • Mega Gyarados
  • Mega Kangaskhan
  • Mega Lucario
  • Mega Sableye

It remains unclear whether the Pokémon in Legends: Z-A are the only ones capable of Mega Evolving, or if the game will encompass all 48 Mega Evolution forms from the Kalos games and Hoenn remakes. Since the game is set in Kalos, many fans speculate that Legends: Z-A could introduce new Mega Evolutions, similar to how Pokémon Legends: Arceus introduced some unique Pokémon and forms in Hisui. However, considering the relatively small setting of Lumiose City, it’s possible that the number of powerful Mega Evolved Pokémon within the city might be limited. Compared to the 721 total Pokémon in X and Y, Legends: Arceus featured only 242 Pokémon, so it’s speculated that Legends: Z-A may have a smaller Pokédex as well.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s Potential New Mega Evolutions

Although the unveiling of Mega Evolution in Pokémon Legends: Z-A might be the only one shown so far, it’s possible that Game Freak is holding back additional Mega Evolution forms for future previews or the game’s launch. The second official trailer for Pokémon Day could be a hint that Nintendo plans to reveal more exciting features closer to the game’s release, like new Mega Evolutions. Potential candidates for new Mega Evolutions include Feraligatr, Meganium, and Emboar, as they were starters in Pokémon Legends: Arceus and received regional forms there. Furthermore, some Pokémon from generations 7 to 9 that appear in Pokémon Legends: Z-A might also receive Mega Evolutions to ensure that each generation has at least one Mega Evolution, such as Mega Vikavolt, Mega Appletun, and Mega Rabsca.

Read More

2025-03-02 16:06