It’s been nearly 12 years since Pokemon fans first journeyed to the region of Kalos, but gamers will soon journey there once in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. In this upcoming title, players will witness Lumiose City’s new urban redevelopment project, which sees officials and advocates striving to make the city a perfect home for people and Pokemon alike. Along the way, players will get to choose from a mixed set of classic starters, and they will have the ability to Mega Evolve certain Pokemon. While most Mega Evolutions from Pokemon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire will return, Pokemon Legends: Z-A is rumored to debut 27 brand-new Mega Evolutions. However, these new Mega Evolutions appear to continue a trend of neglectfulness toward Pokemon introduced in Gen 6.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Can't Leave Two Mons Out of the Mega Evolution Equation
Game Freak's upcoming Pokemon Legends: Z-A should strive to focus on two legendary Kalos Pokemon with new Mega Evolutions or other forms.
Pokemon X and Y’s Few New Pokemon, Explained
Beginning with Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, every mainline Pokemon game has introduced new Pokemon that are connected to the title's new region. The number of new Pokemon introduced in each generation isn’t consistent, though, as Gen 2 debuted 100 new Pokemon, Gen 3 debuted 135, and Gen 4 debuted 107. With Pokemon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2, Game Freak took things even further, debuting 156 new Pokemon, the most ever seen in a Generation. Due to the wide selection of new Pokemon introduced in Gen 5, the developer chose to debut only 72 new Pokemon in X and Y.
The low number of new Pokemon introduced in Gen 6 caused the Kalos region to feel a bit vacant in terms of hosting new species to be discovered. Game Freak did rectify this issue a bit by introducing 50 temporary Mega and Primal forms in X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire, but no new Gen 6 Pokemon received a Mega or Primal form. Despite being the first fully 3D Generation of Pokemon games, the Pokemon that debuted as part of Gen 6 seldom received new evolutions or forms in subsequent games, save for a handful of new forms introduced in Gen 7 and Gen 8 for Greninja, Zygarde, Sliggoo, Goodra, and Avalugg. This trend is seemingly continuing with Z-A, as it is rumored that the game will only give new Mega Evolutions to 10 Gen 6 Pokemon, including:
- Mega Chesnaught
- Mega Delphox
- Mega Greninja
- Mega Pyroar
- Mega Malamar
- Mega Barbaracle
- Mega Dragalge
- Mega Hawlucha
- Mega Eternal Flower Floette
- Mega Zygarde
Gen 6 still holds the title of fewest new Pokemon introduced at 72, with Gen 7 introducing 86 Pokemon, Gen 8 introducing 96 Pokemon, and Gen 9 introducing 120 Pokemon so far.
Potential Future New Forms for Gen 6 Pokemon
Z-A’s new Kalos Mega Evolutions are only temporary, and it’s unlikely that the game will introduce new regional forms of Gen 6 Pokemon since it takes place in Kalos. However, Game Freak could continue the excitement that Z-A builds around Gen 6 Pokemon by introducing new forms in the eventual Gen 10 games for the Nintendo Switch 2. These forms could appear as new, permanent evolutions for certain Gen 6 Pokemon, temporary battle forms similar to Mega Evolution or Gigantamax transformations, or Paradox forms from the ancient past or distant future.
While the Gen 6 Pokemon who may receive Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A may not receive new forms or permanent evolutions in Gen 10 and beyond, there are several Kalos Pokemon in dire need of new forms of some kind. For example, Game Freak could introduce new regional forms of Honedge, or perhaps new evolutions based on other forms of swords, such as the Egyptian khopesh. Gourgeist could receive a new evolution based on Atlantic Giant Pumpkins, often grown for agricultural competitions and fairs. Hawlucha could receive a new evolution based on other famous luchadores or South and Central American warriors from the Aztec or Mayan Empires. Additionally, Helioptile could receive new regional evolutions based on other types of lizards.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- October 16, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
