The Pokémon Company has made the surprise announcement of new spin-off game Pokémon Legends: Z-A and fans are excited about one element in particular: the return of Mega Evolutions.
Following the announcement during the February 2024 Pokémon Presents, fans shared their excitement over the Nintendo 3DS mechanic fully returning for the first time in years.
“I’m so happy that Megas are back that I don’t mind the Unova remake not coming so soon,” said JustANoobCovaleki on Reddit.
“It’s the most exciting gimmick and the least explored. Mega Evolution had so much potential completely wasted by dropping it,” added Ok-Fudge8848. “The prospect of new Megas is extremely exciting.”
Mega Evolutions arrived in Pokémon X and Y (to which Pokémon Legends: Z-A is connected) and haven’t returned in a mainline game since 2018’s Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee. It sees Pokémon temporarily Mega Evolve beyond their usual capabilities but has since been replaced by the likes of the Gigantamax feature in Pokémon Sword and Shield and other (what the community calls) gimmicks.
“My hope is that with this, Megas become a permanent addition as it is probably the best gimmick Game Freak came up with,” jish5 on Reddit said. “It would also allow for them to no longer have to come up with some new gimmick every generation and instead focus on creating new forms for new and existing ‘Mons from here on out.”
Does this mean we could potentially get mega evolutions for these Pokemon now?? pic.twitter.com/O7ipnoIbBF
— Touya! ★ POKEMON LEGENDS Z-A HYPE (@Touyarokii) February 27, 2024
Redditor Eddiev1988 chimed in too: “I’d f**king love if this meant Megas would come back to mainline games. Really, I don’t think they should do away with gimmicks that have been used, and instead balance PvP to incorporate all of them. Imagine the beautiful chaos of not knowing if your opponent will Dynamax, Terra, Mega Evolve, or bust out a Z-Move.”
Thank GOD Pokemon is embracing Mega Evolutions again. They are by far the best generational gimmick they introduced and it’s not close! pic.twitter.com/0nz0IbqrZm
— Cam Steady (Stay Steady) (@TheCamSteady) February 27, 2024
Pokémon Legends: Z-A returns fans to Kalos for the first time since Pokémon X and Y launched in 2013. A trailer showed off Lumiose City but didn’t reveal much else beyond a 2025 release window.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.