A Pokemon fan has released a new design for Arcanine that's turning the heads of a lot of players. While Pokemon Legends: Z-A already has a healthy roster of close to 70 creatures capable of Mega Evolution, Arcanine isn't one of them, and this Pokemon fan's design seems like it could make a lot of players happy.
Arcanine is a powerful Fire-type Pokemon that traces its legacy all the way back to the earliest Pokemon games. With Fire being limited to just a handful of monsters in those early days, Arcanine is one of the best Pokemon to use in a Gen-1 playthrough, especially for players who picked Squirtle or Bulbusaur at the start. In addition, its considerable stats in Attack, Special Attack, and Speed still make it a solid choice for players in modern games looking for a counter to Grass, Steel, Ice, or a number of other types.
Pokemon Fan Gives Mega Dragonite a Gen 5 Style Makeover
Mega Dragonite gets a beautiful, pixelated redesign in the style of Gen 5 games, Pokemon Black and White, from an artistic fan.
Pokemon Fan's Mega Evolution for Arcanine
Despite its legacy, Arcanine has been omitted from the Pokemon Legends: Z-A Pokedex, at least so far, with other powerful Fire-Types like Charizard, Emboar, Pyroar, Talonflame, and Camerupt providing some admirable fill-in work. But one Arcanine fan has offered up a view of what the big, fiery dog could look like if it were given a Mega Evolution makeover for Pokemon Legends: Z-A or another game in the monster-catching franchise. Reddit user HeroOfMadness has shared this creation, which maintains Arcanine's glorious, fluffy mane and tail while switching the color palette of its shorter sections of fur to a dark, ashen gray with orange accents, almost as if simulating a field of magma. Additionally, emblazoned quite literally across its chest is a collection of flames forming the shape of an X, which would fit quite well into Pokemon Legends: Z-A, as it serves as a sequel to Pokemon X and Y and shares its setting of the Kalos region.
In creating this design, the artist drew inspiration from the Shisa, the mythological dog-lion guardian spirit from Okinawan lore, which served as the original basis for Arcanine in the Pokemon games. The Shisa has made several appearances across the eras of video gaming, from being a recruitable monster in the Shin Megami Tensei games and their Persona spin-offs to games like Yakuza 3, which is set in Naha, Okinawa, in which they serve as more of a cultural backdrop. The artist also drew on Pokedex entries to solidify some design choices, such as an entry that states its fiery energy is stored within its body, explaining the charred look of its Mega Evolved form.
There is still a chance that players could see a Mega Arcanine make its way into the game, though there's no clear indication that it will happen. The Mega Dimension DLC is releasing very soon, set for a December 10 launch, bringing 138 returning Pokemon to the game, adding new story content, and letting Pokemon temporarily exceed level 100. New Mega Evolutions confirmed for the Pokemon Legends: Z-A DLC include Mega Raichu X, Mega Raichu Y, Mega Chimecho, Mega Lucario Z, Mega Zeraora, and Mega Baxcalibur, with leaks pointing to more than a dozen others on the way.
List of Mega Evolutions Currently in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
- Mega Clefable
- Mega Victreebel
- Mega Starmie
- Mega Dragonite
- Mega Meganium
- Mega Feraligatr
- Mega Skarmory
- Mega Froslass
- Mega Emboar
- Mega Excadrill
- Mega Scolipede
- Mega Scrafty
- Mega Eelektross
- Mega Chandelure
- Mega Chesnaught
- Mega Delphox
- Mega Greninja
- Mega Pyroar
- Mega Floette
- Mega Malamar
- Mega Barbaracle
- Mega Dragalge
- Mega Hawlucha
- Mega Zygarde
- Mega Drampa
- Mega Falinks
- Mega Beedrill
- Mega Pidgeot
- Mega Ampharos
- Mega Gyardos
- Mega Barbaracle
- Mega Alakazam
- Mega Gengar
- Mega Medicham
- Mega Manectric
- Mega Gardevoir
- Mega Gallade
- Mega Houndoom
- Mega Altaria
- Mega Audino
- Mega Lopunny
- Mega Banette
- Mega Camerupt
- Mega Garchomp
- Mega Sableye
- Mega Mawile
- Mega Absol
- Mega Lucario
- Mega Solwbro
- Mega Sharpedo
- Mega Venusaur
- Mega Charizard X
- Mega Charizard Y
- Mega Blastoise
- Mega Glalie
- Mega Abomasnow
- Mega Scizor
- Mega Pinsir
- Mega Heracross
- Mega Aerodactyl
- Mega Steelix
- Mega Aggron
- Mega Tyranitar
- Mega Salamence
- Mega Kangaskhan
- Mega Metagross
- Mega Diancie
- Mega Mewtwo X
- Mega Mewtwo Y
While a new Mega Evolution form of Arcanine hasn't made an appearance in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the Pokemon did get a makeover for the previous Legends game. Pokemon Legends: Arceus introduced several Hisuian regional variants, which included Arcanine and its pre-evolved form, Growlithe. Found at the Cobalt Coastlands and Veilstone Cape, Hisuian Growlithe and Arcanine add a Rock-type to their defensive repertoire, and the latter's gray and orange color scheme somewhat reflects an erupting volcano, not unlike what this artist conceptualized for the big beast.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- October 16, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
WHERE TO PLAY
LIVE THE LIFE OF A POKÉMON TRAINER IN THE STREETS OF LUMIOSE CITY
Whether you’re a die-hard Pokémon fan or about to toss your first Poké Ball, the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game has plenty to offer for Trainers of all types. Experience classic gameplay with modern twists that are sure to revolutionize your Pokémon RPG experience.
CATCH, BATTLE, AND MEGA-EVOLVE—ALL IN REAL TIME!
Step onto the battlefield and command your Pokémon directly—there are no turns! For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, Trainers and their Pokémon can both move around in real-time battles, and your Pokémon will unleash their moves when you tell them to. Strategically swapping out your Pokémon and accounting for each move’s timing and area of effect will greatly help you in this new style of battle.
HARNESS THE POWER OF MEGA EVOLUTION
When Trainers have a strong bond with their Pokémon, a Key Stone worn by the Trainer resonates with a Mega Stone held by their Pokémon, allowing Mega Evolution to take place.
ROGUE MEGA EVOLUTION
Rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon are threatening Lumiose City. These Pokémon are extra tough to beat, but if you do manage to defeat them, you'll receive valuable Mega Stones as a reward.
RISE THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE Z-A ROYALE
You’re invited to join the Z-A Royale, a competition for Pokémon Trainers to test their skills and determine who’s strongest.
Each night, a battle zone for the competition will appear. Prepare yourself by spending the day in wild zones, catching and training Pokémon, then venture into the battle zone and take on other Trainers.
Be strategic and complete bonus card challenges as you battle to speed up your climb from Rank Z to Rank A. Can you climb the ranks and reach the top?
WELCOME TO LUMIOSE CITY
Visit shops, restaurants, and more, all centered around Prism Tower. An urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon.
BATTLE WITH TRAINERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
With a Nintendo Switch Online membership*, you can battle up to three other Trainers at once, locally or online, in frenetic real-time battles!
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players (online)
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
