As the successor to Pokemon Legends: Arceus, it's expected that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will share some of the same features and mechanics as its predecessor. Although Pokemon Legends: Z-A differentiates itself from Legends: Arceus with its modern setting within Lumiose City and emphasis on trainer battles in the Z-A Royale, the core action-based RPG elements of its predecessor remain intact. There is likely still a lot left to be revealed about Pokemon Legends: Z-A in the lead-up to its launch, and one of Legends: Arceus' best mechanics remains a major question mark.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus took the series' iconic battles to a new level by introducing larger-than-life bosses in the form of Alpha Pokemon and Frenzied Noble Pokemon. These powerful variants created an atmosphere of danger to the world that previous Pokemon games never really had. As such, rampaging Alpha Pokemon may not fit Lumiose City's urban environment, but the return of Mega Evolution could offer an ideal alternative that could be tailored to fit within Legends: Z-A's world.
Why Mega Evolution DLC Could Be on the Table for Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Based on which Pokemon will reportedly receive new Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak may already be planning for future DLC.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Has the Perfect Answer for Legends: Arceus' Alphas
Wild Mega Evolutions Could Replace Alpha Pokemon in Legends: Z-A
Mega Evolution is being placed front and center in Pokemon Legends: Z-A as the spotlight feature of the game after being absent from the franchise for two generations. With such a heavy emphasis being placed on these supped-up critters, it seems more than likely that Megas will play a large role in the gameplay loop of Pokemon Legends: Z-A. While battles against trainers who use Mega-Evolved Pokemon seem like a given for Legends: Z-A, the game could take things a step further and feature boss battles against wild Mega-Evolved mons as well.
Alpha Pokemon, while much stronger and more intimidating than their usual counterparts, change very little visually aside from their size and glowing red eyes. Conversely, seeing a Mega-Evolved creature among a group of non-Megas would feel far more intimidating while exploring the Wild Zones throughout Lumiose City. Legends: Arceus' Alpha Pokemon already felt like a different take on the Mega Evolution concept, so replacing them wholly with Megas in Legends: Z-A seems like a logical step. However, Legends: Z-A may need to get creative with how it retcons established lore in order for this mechanic to work.
There is still the potential for Alpha Pokemon to return in Legends: Z-A, as the official map of Lumiose City appears to feature an icon that is very similar to the one for Alpha Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
It May Be a Stretch, But Wild Mega Evolutions Are Too Cool a Concept to Pass Up
The major catch with the concept of wild Mega Evolutions is the fact that, typically, Mega Evolution can only occur under the guidance of a trainer who holds a mon's specific keystone. With Mega Evolution being an artificial way to enhance a Pokemon's power, it might seem odd if players could find Mega-Evolved mons out in the wild. However, there are still ways that Pokemon Legends: Z-A could implement this mechanic while still keeping it lore-friendly.
For example, the sundial in Anistar City is already known to have a strong connection to Mega Evolution and the keystones that allow the phenomenon to happen. Perhaps this sundial is connected to the remnants of the ultimate weapon that caused Mega Evolution to be possible in the first place, with more of its potential remains being found beneath Lumiose City. This could be used as a major plot point in the story of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, while also helping to explain why random wild critters are suddenly gaining the ability to Mega Evolve without the use of a keystone.
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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
