Why Mega Evolution DLC Could Be on the Table for Pokemon…

Several Pokemon among Pokemon Legends: Z-A's leaked Mega Evolutions stand out as only one half of an existing pair, suggesting that Game Freak might have plans for Mega Evolution DLC later on with these leftover counterparts. Though all leaks and rumors should be treated with skepticism, one of the more credible sources for Pokemon leaks, CentroLeaks, has released a list of Mega Evolutions supposedly coming to Legends: Z-A. Given that these leaked Mega Evolutions could potentially be real, this raises new questions about why certain critters are receiving new evolutions despite being part of an established pair.

Out of the 27 or so Mega Evolutions allegedly being introduced in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, besides the likes of its mascot Legendary Pokemon Zygarde or its starter trio, several Pokemon appear to be missing their counterparts. While these pairs aren't always officially connected, their version exclusivity and similarities in design and typing have typically made them inseparable, ultimately leading to Game Freak balancing these counterparts with new evolutions, forms, and regional variants. Yet with Legends: Z-A's upcoming Mega Evolutions potentially splitting so many Pokemon counterparts, Game Freak could plan to balance these pairs with new Mega Evolutions released as future DLC.

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By Martin Wood

Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Mega Evolutions Might Split Several Pokemon Pairs

Between Pokemon X and Y and Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, several Pokemon pairs have already received Mega Evolutions, even if these new evolutions weren't introduced in the same games. For example, the Ralts line's gendered evolution split saw both Gardevoir and Gallade receive Mega Evolutions, while other counterparts such as Pinsir and Heracross, Steelix and Scizor, and even Legendary Pokemon like Latios and Latias also got Mega Evolutions. Moreover, should Legends: Z-A's leaks prove to be accurate, then other Pokemon counterparts may finally receive overdue Mega Evolutions, such as the gendered split between Froslass and Mega Glalie.

However, these same leaks also reveal that Legends: Z-A will break up several more counterparts, with only one Pokemon out of various pairs receiving Mega Evolutions as listed below.

Wigglytuff and Mega Clefable
Cloyster and Mega Starmie
Vileplume and Mega Victreebel
Clawitzer and Mega Dragalge
Turtonator and Mega Drampa

While it might have been easier to overlook if Legends: Z-A had only separated one or two different counterparts with its new Mega Evolutions, the significant number of split Pokemon pairs alongside current counterparts still due Mega Evolutions of their own is hard to ignore. Including other potential counterparts like Slowbro's Slowking or Gyarados' Milotic, Legends: Z-A appears to be skipping more Mega Evolutions between these pairs.

Game Freak Might Already Have DLC Plans For Pokemon Legends: Z-A

With such a high number of Pokemon counterparts supposedly split further apart by Legends: Z-A's Mega Evolutions, this could suggest that Game Freak is planning to expand the game post-launch, just as it did with Pokemon Sword and Shield and more recently with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. While its predecessor, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, didn't receive any DLC, Legends: Z-A has broken with several traditions already, such as a new battle system or its present-day, single-city setting. Therefore, it's possible that Legends: Z-A could again break the mold with future DLC adding even more Mega Evolutions, especially for these leftover Pokemon counterparts.

Pokemon Counterparts Might Not Be So Clear-Cut For Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Despite some Pokemon pairs being easier to define, such as Wigglytuff and Clefable or Turtonator and Drampa, others could prove to be more complicated, which Legends: Z-A might avoid addressing with its Mega Evolutions. For instance, while Vileplume and Victreebel were originally paired in Gen 1, Gen 2's introduction of Bellossom as a split evolution could mean it has become Vileplume's counterpart instead. Given that most counterparts aren't based on official canon either, like Seviper and Zangoose or Heatmor and Durant, Game Freak might never have intended for Legends: Z-A's leaked Mega Evolutions to split so many Pokemon pairs or accounted for this with future DLC.

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