With Pokemon Legends: Z-A taking players back to the Kalos region, it’s expected that Mega Evolution will be making its grand return to the spotlight. This means it's time to consider which Pokemon are most deserving of receiving new Mega forms, giving them new power and new potential in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
Mega Evolution was a true game-changer for the Pokemon series when it debuted in the Gen 6 games, beginning a trend of powerful gimmicks that have come and gone with each new iteration since. But with Pokemon Legends: Z-A returning to the Kalos region, where it all began for Mega forms, the mechanic is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming game. Some believe that Mega Evolution will feature in the game’s narrative, while others are more excited about using the mechanic in battles again. Either way, it would stand to reason if the pool of Pokemon who have access to Mega Evolutions expands, allowing Pokemon Legends: Z-A to make up for lost time. No new Mega forms have been announced yet, but a few Pokemon seem both likely and deserving of receiving new forms when Legends: Z-A releases.
Why Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Leaked Release Date Holds a Lot of Water
The release date of Pokemon Legends: Z-A has leaked and while it's a strange one for the series, it actually makes a lot of sense.
Which Pokemon Should Receive New Mega Evolutions in Legends: Z-A?
The Kalos Starter Trio May Have More Time to Shine
It’s still unknown which starter Pokemon players will be able to choose from in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, but some believe that the original Kalos trio of Froakie, Fennekin, and Chespin will remain the starters of their home region. It was once believed that, like in Legends: Arceus, a new trio would be chosen for this game, but new rumors suggest a return of Kalos' original starter Pokemon. Even if other starters are chosen, these three Pokemon are deeply connected to Kalos, so they should appear either way.
Given that the Kanto and Hoenn Starters benefited from Mega forms, it almost feels like an injustice that the region's native starters were left out of the fun. If chosen as the Legends: Z-A starter trio, Mega Evolutions would be a theme-appropriate replacement for the regional forms that the final evolution of the Legends: Arceus starters received. Mega Evolutions for Greninja, Delphox, and Chesnaught would be a perfect way to honor the past of the Kalos region while jumping into the future.
Legendary Pokemon Can Mega Evolve
Other important Pokemon from the Kalos region that are expected to return are the Generation 6 Legendaries: Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde. This would give the three of them, Zygarde in particular, a chance they never got to expand upon their lore. Generation 6's secondary games didn't expand the content of the mainline titles, which has left the story of the region feeling incomplete ever since. Based on the title, it’s expected that Zygarde will be central to the game’s story, much like Arceus was in its titular game. But just like Arceus brought along Dialga and Palkia with new forms, Xerneas and Yveltal will likely make an appearance as well. In Legends: Arceus, Dialga and Palkia received new Origin forms, so new Mega forms for Yveltal and Xerneas would be a perfect mirror to the previous game.
The only existing Legendary Pokemon with a mega evolution is Rayquaza, meaning the Mega forms for the Kalos Legendaries would place them in an exclusive club.
AZ’s Floette Has Potential That’s Been Left Unexplored
Fans of the Kalos games will likely remember AZ, the seemingly immortal former king of Kalos, who was responsible for creating the ultimate weapon. His bond with a unique version of Floette, as well as the mystery surrounding him, has made him one of the biggest enigmas in the Pokemon series. Interest in AZ’s Floette only grew larger when data miners found unused assets in Pokemon X and Y for an obtainable version, known as Eternal Flower Floette.
Legends: Z-A provides the perfect chance to expand on the lore behind AZ and Eternal Flower Floette. One possible explanation that could be explored is Eternal Flower Floette being a Mega Evolved Floette. No other middle-stage evolution has received a mega evolution before, but Eternal Flower Floette has always been a fringe example of a unique Pokemon. Being a Mega form would explain Eternal Flower Floette's unique appearence and implied higher power level.
The Porygon Line Matches Legends: Z-A's Themes
Porygon might be an unorthodox choice to receive a Mega Evolution, but in the scope of Legends: Z-A, it makes more sense than it seems. The story of Legends: Z-A is set to be based around the urban redevelopment of Lumiose City. In other words, the player will be redesigning the city and improving upon its design and function. As a man-made Pokemon, the Porygon line is a perfect tie in to Legends: Z-A’s themes of redevelopment. By adding a mega evolution for the Porygon line, Pokemon Legends: Z-A could give players the chase to upgrade not only a city, but a Pokemon that undergoes a similar journey as it evolves.
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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!
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
