Z-A’s Leaked Mega Evolutions Only Add to a Generational Problem

While the return and potential expansion of Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A has been highly anticipated, the game could ultimately worsen the divide growing between its generations if a leaked list of new Mega Pokemon is to be believed. Even when Mega Evolutions debuted in Gen 6 – appearing in Pokemon X and Y and again in Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire – the range of Pokemon receiving these new evolutions had been uneven from the get-go. And despite having the opportunity to improve this generational breakdown of Mega Evolutions, Pokemon Legends: Z-A could end up adding to the problem instead of resolving it.

Though any rumors and leaks should be treated with skepticism, the list of Pokemon supposedly receiving new Mega Evolutions in Legends: Z-A reveals that some generations are still being favored over others. In addition to the three generations of games that have been and gone since Gen 6, Legends: Z-A could have capitalized on these and any other underrepresented generation to give Mega Evolutions an even stronger comeback. As a result, after factoring in Legends: Z-A‘s leaks, some generations will have received close to one-third of the series’ evolutions so far, while others will be lucky to have one Mega Pokemon at all.

Pokemon Legends Z A Gen 10 Mega Evolution Case

Pokemon Legends Z-A: The Case for Mega Evolution to Also Return in Gen 10

While Mega Evolution is slated to return in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, it’s currently unknown if it will return in the upcoming Pokemon Gen 10

Exploring The Mega Imbalance Before and After Pokemon Legends: Z-A

As one of several gimmicks aiming to revamp existing Pokemon instead of adding to an already bloated National Pokedex, Mega Evolutions has remained a fan-favorite feature alongside the likes of regional forms and convergent Pokemon. Therefore, it isn’t as surprising that nearly half of X and Y‘s Mega Evolutions went to Gen 1 and Gen 3, as these Pokemon were both the oldest and the most popular among players. But when given the chance to explore any other generation in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Game Freak seems to have doubled down with Gen 3, giving it the most Mega Evolutions to this day.

Moreover, despite Game Freak getting yet another opportunity to revisit these overlooked generations of Pokemon, it may have already missed the mark for a third time if Legends: Z-A‘s leaked Mega Evolutions are accurate. Based on CentroLeaks’ X post, Legends: Z-A will potentially introduce 26 new Mega Evolutions across an admittedly broader range of generations, though Gen 6 understandably appears to be its focus.

When putting these leaks into context, however, between nine generations and 74 possible evolutions, Legends: Z-A still leaves Gens 1 and 3 with the most Mega Pokemon combined, Gens 7 and 8 with just one each, and Gen 9 with none at all.

Gen 1: 19 Mega Evolutions (including Charizard’s and MewTwo’s X and Y forms)
Gen 2: 8 Mega Evolutions
Gen 3: 20 Mega Evolutions
Gen 4: 6 Mega Evolutions
Gen 5: 7 Mega Evolutions
Gen 6: 11 Mega Evolutions
Gen 7: 1 Mega Evolution
Gen 8: 1 Mega Evolution
Gen 9: 0 Mega Evolutions

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Could Still Set the Stage For A Mega Comeback

Though Legends: Z-A‘s Mega Evolutions don’t appear to be in an ideal position ahead of the game’s launch, it doesn’t seem likely that Game Freak would finally give in to player demands only to then stumble out of the gate. Game Freak has used post-launch updates to polish the base game experience in the past, such as Pokemon Sword and Shield making Gigantamax forms more accessible in the Isle of Armor expansion, or Pokemon Scarlet and Violet‘s DLC adding more regional, convergent, and Paradox Pokemon. With this in mind, Legends: Z-A could have plans for Mega DLC across Gens 7, 8, 9, and beyond.

While the fact that its predecessor, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, didn’t receive any DLC may undermine this theory, it does feel like the disparity between each generation’s Mega Pokemon is impossible to ignore, even for Game Freak. For instance, despite Pokemon like Zygarde and Clefable being named in these leaks, this raises questions about other Mega Evolutions missing from Legends: Z-A, including Xerneas, Yveltal, and Wigglytuff as their counterparts. Alternatively, Legends: Z-A‘s potential post-launch updates could offer hope for Pokemon from later generations still deserving of a Mega Evolution, such as those listed below.

Gen 7: Bewear, Silvally, Mimikyu, Zeraora
Gen 8: Boltund, Cramorant, Polteageist, Obstagoon
Gen 9: Armarouge, Ceruledge, Gholdengo, Dudunsparce