To coincide with Pokemon X and Y’s 12th anniversary, players will finally return to the France-inspired Kalos region this October in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. The second entry in Pokemon's relatively new Legends series of games, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, will have players explore Lumiose City post X and Y’s events during a period of urban redevelopment. Here, players will be able to utilize X and Y’s fan-favorite Mega Evolution mechanic once again with numerous pre-existing Mega Evolutions and a few new ones, such as Mega Dragonite. 26 new Mega Evolutions are rumored to appear in Z-A as well, but three may indicate a repeat of a famous X and Y story beat.
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Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Leaked Mega Evolutions Explained
When Pokemon Legends: Z-A was first officially announced in February 2024, Game Freak teased that Mega Evolution would return but didn’t elaborate on what way until February 2025’s Pokemon Presents event. Here, a gameplay and story trailer for Z-A was shown, revealing the grand return of the Mega Evolution mechanic through the display of Mega Lucario, Mega Absol, Mega Charizard X, and many other classic Mega Evolutions. Shortly after the Pokemon Presents event, several credible Pokemon leakers announced throughout mid and early March that several Pokemon from generations 1-7 would receive new Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. These leaked Mega Evolutions included:
- Mega Clefable
- Mega Starmie
- Mega Victreebel
- Mega Dragonite
- Mega Meganium
- Mega Feraligatr
- Mega Skarmory
- Mega Froslass
- Mega Emboar
- Mega Scolipede
- Mega Excadrill
- Mega Eelektross
- Mega Scrafty
- Mega Chandelure
- Mega Chesnaught
- Mega Delphox
- Mega Greninja
- Mega Pyroar
- Mega Malamar
- Mega Barbaracle
- Mega Dragalge
- Mega Hawlucha
- Mega Eternal Flower Floette
- Mega Zygarde
- Mega Drampa
- Mega Falinks
While most gaming leaks and rumors should only be taken at face value until developer officials confirm game details, these aforementioned Mega Evolution leaks were seemingly confirmed during the July 2025 Pokemon Presents event. Here, Game Freak revealed a new gameplay and story trailer for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, detailing how wild Pokemon are Mega Evolving throughout Lumiose City, and capping the presentation off with an official showcase of Mega Dragonite. The Mega Evolved Dragon Pokemon retains its dual Dragon/Flying-typing, but its physical features resemble more closely the appearance of Dragonair. With Mega Dragonite being one of the many leaked Mega Evolutions and the only one to be confirmed so far, the other 26 Mega Evolutions will likely turn out to be real as well.
The Potential Role of Kalos’ Mega Evolved Starters
Since Dragonite’s leaked Mega Evolution turned out to be true, it’s highly probable that Chesnaught, Delphox, and Greninja will receive Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A as well. It’s currently unknown how Chesnaught, Delphox, and Greninja’s appearances and typings would change with Mega Evolution, but it seems appropriate for the starter trio to receive Mega Evolutions, as they were some of the most iconic Pokemon for X and Y. If that is truly the case, then it seems obvious that they will also easily obtainable Pokemon in any playthrough - possibly even one extra starter given to players by some NPC.
Many Pokemon fans in 2013 were additionally surprised that the Kalos starter trio didn’t receive Mega Evolutions while the Kanto starter trio and Blaziken did in X and Y. Meganium, Feraligatr, and Emboar are rumored to receive Mega Evolutions as well, which is also appropriate given that Chikorita, Tepig, and Totodile are Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s new starters. As such, it wouldn't be strange for Gen 6 starters to get a Mega and also be given to players on a choice basis, much like the regular starters. Or, maybe, players will get one of the Gen 6 starters depending on the one they picked for their Legends: Z-A playthrough.
Giving Chesnaught, Delphox, and Greninja Mega Evolutions could additionally be a sign of Pokemon Legends: Z-A mirroring a famous starter Pokemon sequence from Pokemon X and Y. After receiving either Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie at the beginning of X and Y, players could travel to Lumiose City to battle Professor Sycamore. Upon defeating Sycamore, the Pokemon Professor will allow players to select another starter between Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander and give them a corresponding Mega Stone for the fully evolved starter. Z-A could mirror this event by allowing players to choose a second starter between Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie after battling Mable at the Pokemon Research Lab, as Sycamore’s presence in Z-A is still unknown.
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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
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!
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
