Mega Dragonite, the first official new Mega-Evolved Pokemon announced for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, has received a beautifully animated, pixelated makeover courtesy of one talented fan. Not all fans of the Pokemon franchise have been on board with Dragonite's recent big reveal for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, but others seem to be embracing it, as this Gen 5-inspired creation clearly shows.
A total of 26 new Mega Evolutions have been promised for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the action-RPG follow-up to 2022's Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Set for release on October 16, the game will take place in the Kalos region, the setting of Pokemon X and Y, and the birthplace of the Mega Evolution mechanic that kicked off a number of fun, transformational gimmicks in subsequent generations of Pokemon games.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Evolution Puts One Old Myth to Bed
The latest trailer for Pokémon Legends: Z-A may have added yet more evidence debunking a decades-old theory with the reveal of Mega Dragonite.
But one fan is using Dragonite's recently revealed new form to mimic a Pokemon Legends game set in the Unova region, using the 15-year-old Gen 5 pixel graphics style of the Nintendo DS to make it look as though Mega Dragonite just swooped into Pokemon Black and White. Reddit user R3dd1t_D4v1d updated some old sprite work to give the Mega Dragonite sprite some new features that match its look in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Most easily noticeable are the pair of angelic wings bursting forth from the side of the Dragon-type Pokemon's head, but the pixel artist remembered the small details as well, incorporating the smaller pairs of wings added to its shoulders and ankles, the orb near the end of its tail, and the tiny new unicorn-like white horn on its forehead.
Pokemon Fan Recreates Mega Dragonite with Unova-Style Pixels
While the fan base seems pretty evenly split after Mega Dragonite's design reveal at the July 22 Pokemon Presents showcase, one thing most fans seem to be pretty solidly united in is their love for the old pixelated graphics that were lost after the franchise made the leap to the Nintendo 3DS in 2013. Pokemon Black and White are far from the most popular mainline games in the franchise's nearly 30-year history, but longtime fans seem nostalgic for the Nintendo DS days that merged old-school pixel graphics with the animated style now seen in the games.
There is still some derision over Pokemon's switch to 3D models nearly 12 years ago, but Mega Dragonite itself has been stirring the pot yet again with a new controversy. It seems some fans hate Mega Dragonite's design, and a few fans with artistic skills have been hard at work creating and sharing their own design ideas that could have put a more unique spin on the original fully evolved Dragon-type Pokemon, with some tying it closer to its pre-evolutions' roots.
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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
WHERE TO PLAY
LIVE THE LIFE OF A POKÉMON TRAINER IN THE STREETS OF LUMIOSE CITY
Whether you’re a die-hard Pokémon fan or about to toss your first Poké Ball, the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game has plenty to offer for Trainers of all types. Experience classic gameplay with modern twists that are sure to revolutionize your Pokémon RPG experience.
CATCH, BATTLE, AND MEGA-EVOLVE—ALL IN REAL TIME!
Step onto the battlefield and command your Pokémon directly—there are no turns! For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, Trainers and their Pokémon can both move around in real-time battles, and your Pokémon will unleash their moves when you tell them to. Strategically swapping out your Pokémon and accounting for each move’s timing and area of effect will greatly help you in this new style of battle.
HARNESS THE POWER OF MEGA EVOLUTION
When Trainers have a strong bond with their Pokémon, a Key Stone worn by the Trainer resonates with a Mega Stone held by their Pokémon, allowing Mega Evolution to take place.
ROGUE MEGA EVOLUTION
Rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon are threatening Lumiose City. These Pokémon are extra tough to beat, but if you do manage to defeat them, you'll receive valuable Mega Stones as a reward.
RISE THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE Z-A ROYALE
You’re invited to join the Z-A Royale, a competition for Pokémon Trainers to test their skills and determine who’s strongest.
Each night, a battle zone for the competition will appear. Prepare yourself by spending the day in wild zones, catching and training Pokémon, then venture into the battle zone and take on other Trainers.
Be strategic and complete bonus card challenges as you battle to speed up your climb from Rank Z to Rank A. Can you climb the ranks and reach the top?
WELCOME TO LUMIOSE CITY
Visit shops, restaurants, and more, all centered around Prism Tower. An urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon.
BATTLE WITH TRAINERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
With a Nintendo Switch Online membership*, you can battle up to three other Trainers at once, locally or online, in frenetic real-time battles!
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
