Pokémon Legends: Z-A is about a month away, and my excitement is reaching a fever pitch. I really enjoyed Legends: Arceus and have been looking forward to seeing what Game Freak has cooked up for the successor. Another thing I’ve been keen on for this new game is the return of Mega Evolution, last seen in Pokémon Let’s Go (albeit a very stripped-down version). Seeing as Kalos introduced the fan-favourite mechanic, it was only natural for it to be brought back in Legends: Z-A. And with these features, it returns a whole bunch of new Mega Pokémon, and with the recent Nintendo Direct revealing three more (and perhaps some of the most requested), I thought it’d be fun to rate each new Mega Evolution on a scale from 1 to 10.
NOTE: I won’t be including Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y cause they're DLC and not part of the main game. Also, the Mega Stones for the Kalos starters are locked behind ranked matches, which I think is dumb.
The first new Mega Evolution they announced, and a pretty solid one at that, was Mega Dragonite. Dragonite was always a friend-shaped Pokémon. He had that big belly and adorable face that you just wanted to hug. Mega Dragonite somehow makes this Pokémon even more friendly-looking, with big, fluffy wings on its head and a tail that looks like a great place to fall asleep. I do like how the added wings and tail orb take inspiration from Dragonair (one of its pre-evolutions), as I always thought Dragonite was a bit out of place in the evolution line. Overall, a solid Mega.
8/10
The concept of Victreebel always creeped me out. A Pokémon based on a Venus flytrap was scary enough, but the Pokédex entries that go into detail about the dissolving of its prey were not for me. So I was taken aback when Mega Victreebel was one of the goofiest Megas I’ve seen. The massive body juxtaposed with the tiny face is way funnier than it has any right to be, especially because its reveal video presented it as terrifying. I don’t think I’ll be using it on any of my teams, but I can appreciate this goofy guy. Also, if you look at it upside down, he be smiling.
7/10
Hawlucha was a fan-favourite from Gen 6 and has remained as such ever since. People (including myself) loved this luchador-inspired Pokémon for its design, typing, and just overall vibe. So it was very exciting when the first Kalos Pokémon to get a Mega was Hawlucha. Mega Hawlucha’s design leans even heavier into that luchador vibe, with it looking like it wouldn’t be out of place in a wrestling match. I like how the design doesn’t change the base like Victreebel’s and instead adds more layers, like when a wrestler has extra gear as they walk down to the ring. A perfect first Kalos region Mega.
10/10
Ok, so I don’t like Malamar. Ever since I figured out how to evolve Inkay and the reward was this ugly-looking thing, I’ve disliked it. I didn’t like its vibe, nor its design, and quickly tried to forget it existed. So when the Malamar propaganda started to flood the Pokémon social media channels, I knew something fishy was going on. Lo and behold, Mega Malamar was to blame and I still don’t like this Pokémon. I’ll give it this, I like the vibrant colours on this Mega and colourful circles it makes with its tendrils, but that’s about it. An already ugly Pokémon gets an ugly Mega. I’m sure some people will love it, but I sure as shit won’t.
2/10
My first Pokémon in Pokémon Y was Chespin, and I loved that lil guy. Even when he evolved into Quilladin and then Chesnaught, I still loved him (Chespin best Kalos starter). And like most people, I always wondered why the Kalos starters didn’t get Megas. But now, we got em, and ma boi Chesnuaght is looking clean as fuck! The Kalos starters were based on classic RPG classes, with Chesnaught being the knight class, and its Mega is no different. My man has a cape, a beard, a crown, and shoulder guards that he can turn into weapons. It looks cool as shit, and I will definitely be using Chesnaught again in Legends: Z-A.
10/10
Delphox was my least favourite of the Kalos starters. Not to say I didn’t like the evolution line (Fennekin is adorable), but it just didn’t click for me. However, Mega Delphox, for some reason, works so well for me. The addition of darker colours, white tuffs of fur, and riding a broomstick that’s on fire does a lot to change one's opinion of a Pokémon. Being based on Mage, Mega Delphox has elevated its entire evolution line in my eyes. It still isn’t my favourite of the Kalos starters, but god damn is it cool.
9/10
Greninja was the golden child of the Kalos starters. He had a prominent role in the anime, got a whole form based on Ash, made it into Smash Bros, and has consistently been at the top of popularity polls. You’d think with all this hype that it’d have one of the best Mega Evolutions, but that’s not the case. This is where I ruffle some feathers, but Mega Greninja is the weakest looking out of the Kalos Starter Megas. That isn’t to say it isn’t cool looking, cause it is; just compared to the other two, it’s a little lacklustre. The biggest change is that it’s standing on a water shuriken and has a new headpiece, and that’s pretty much it. Sure, its legs have some black on them, but I just don’t think they went far enough. Still a cool Mega, but it ain’t the best.
8/10
And that’s all the new Mega Pokémon currently revealed for Pokémon Legends: Z-A rated. I’m so keen to return to Kalos (even with the stupid decision to lock Mega Stones behind ranked battle). Be sure to check back when the game drops on October 16th for even more Pokémon coverage!
Have you seen the new Mega Pokémon? Which is your favourite? Which Pokémon should get a Mega in Z-A? Let us know in the comments where we can talk about all things Pokémon.
