With the exciting return of Mega Evolutions in Pokémon Legends Z-A, the game can prove that this fan-favorite gimmick should stay. Since X and Y, Pokémon has been rotating in and out gimmicks to spice up new mainline games. However, this has come to varying levels of success, with some like Z-Moves being lackluster, while others like Regional forms prospering.

Early leaks have shown that around 26 new Mega Evolutions will come in Z-A. This number could change as development continues, and it could grow if any DLC is made for the spin-off. Though the list is long, some standouts that have been leaked so far are Mega Evolutions for the game’s three starters (Meganium, Feraligatr, and Emboar), the Kalos Starters (Chesnaught, Delphox, and Greninja), and other fan-favorites like Dragonite and Froslass.

Why Did Mega Evolutions Leave?

A Promotional Stunt For One Generation

Mega Evolutions were phased out after X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire, mainly due to them being a marketing gimmick. They were designed for those generations and to work with the Pokémon that were most prevalent at that time. It may have also been due to the effort needed to make one, as it can be somewhat like making a whole new Pokémon. Whereas the other battle gimmicks, except for Gigantamax, are simple implementations.

In-universe, they were explained away by saying the new regions had no access to the keystones and megastones that allowed the transformations. This is a somewhat lazy excuse, but at least it gives some sort of answer. That is why Scarlet and Violet had excitement over a potential return, as Paldea is connected to Kalos in the lore.

Why Mega Evolutions Should Stay Around

Pokémon Should Stick With What Is Working

Of all the battle gimmicks that Pokémon has tried, none were as successful as Mega Evolutions. Z-Moves ended up being lackluster, and Dynamax was an unbalanced plan that had varying success at best. Scarlet and Violet had Terastalization, a kind of twist on the Dynamax formula that changed certain Pokémon's typing.

Due to the growing list of failed attempts and the popularity of Mega Evolutions, so much so that they are coming to the Pokémon TCG, it would be best for them to stick around. Even if it isn't as extensive as 20+ new additions a generation, it would be a new handful of fun Mega Evolutions. Given how many Pokémon exist and will be added in the future, there isn’t a shortage of candidates. Even if worries about balance come up, the competitive scene has already worked out rules that limit use in a team.

How Mega Evolutions Could Exist With Other Gimmicks

Striking The Balance Of New And Refreshed

Even if Mega Evolutions do stick around, that is not to say that Game Freak should stop other returning gimmicks or trying new ones. Regional Forms and Convergent Species have been two successful ideas that introduce fun twists on preexisting Pokémon. These two features do not conflict balance-wise, so while it would be more design work, it stands to reason there is no legitimate reason that Game Freak can't produce all of them in the same game.

Battle gimmicks are where this would get tricky, as it could be hard to balance two battle gimmicks at the same time, especially with the likely move to real-time combat. The easiest option would be to limit both to one so that only two of the six Pokémon on a team would have these effects. The other option is that only one gimmick can be used per team, but this has its own issues. Namely, if one is stronger than the other, the weaker one will see little to no use.

The alternate option here is that if Mega Evolutions can prove their reigning popularity, perhaps it will become the standard battle gimmick going forward, and no others need to be made. This may not be the worst option, as it would likely be easier to design new Mega forms for a group of Pokémon than a mechanic that has to be utilized by hundreds. It would also lessen or even prevent any backlash from a new gimmick coming out to a lukewarm or worse reception from the community.

Overall, Game Freak should be using this as a test to see if Mega Evolutions should be the standard going forward. Then, it falls to the community to show their and convince Game Freak that it should be. For a franchise that is in near-desperate need of a major win in the video game department, a step like this can drastically help the future mainline games. Thus, Pokémon Legends Z-A should look to finally prove that Mega Evolutions should stay around.