Z-A May Have a Wild New Mega Evolution if Leaks Are True

This year breaks a long tradition with Pokemon games, as there are not going to be Gen 10 titles in 2025 unless they are shadow-dropped or announced later, making Pokemon Legends: Z-A the only big new release for the franchise. Many fans are hyped about Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s return to Kalos, specifically to Lumiose City, as the game promises an enticing combat system as well as returning Mega Evolutions and possibly new critters too. Mega Evolutions remain by far one of the most beloved battle gimmicks in the series, if not the, and it seems that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will add a new, unexpected one to the mix.

Leaks for Pokemon games are nothing new, and there are several insiders who have a good track record with the information they share. In the case of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, it seems that the notorious leaker Riddler Khu teased new Mega Evolutions last year, and the newest trailer for the game is seemingly confirming one of them. It was to be expected that the first game since Gen 6 to feature Mega Evolutions as the main battle gimmick was going to add new ones, but fans may not expect this to be the case for a Gen 1 Pokemon that was never very popular – Victreebel.

Related

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Starters Make One Long-Rumored Game Very Unlikely

Pokemon Legends: Z-A features a strange starter trio, and these critters may seal the fate of a highly anticipated rumored game.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s First New Mega Evolution Could Be a Double-Edged Sword

Gen 1 had many Mega Evolutions in the original roster, even adding two for both Mewtwo and Charizard. As such, it would have probably been best for Pokemon Legends: Z-A to represent other Generations with new Megas, such as Gen 6 itself and anything beyond that since those critters were not even around at the time. The fact that Victreebel may get a Mega Evolution doesn’t mean that Pokemon from other Generations won’t get one as well, but it can seem a strange choice.

For starters, Victreebel can be considered a mirror to Vileplume, as both these Gen 1 critters share the same type combination as Grass/Poison and even have identical base stat totals (BST) at 490 each. On top of that, both Weepinbel and Gloom evolve into Victreebel and Vileplume with a Leaf Stone. As such, adding a Mega Evolution for Victreebel in Pokemon Legends: Z-A may be a weird choice if Vileplume doesn’t get one as well – though one could argue that the Oddish line got a one-up already on the Bellsprout line in Gen 2 with the addition of Bellossom.

Still, both Victreebel and Vileplume were present in Gen 6 games (Pokemon X and Y as well as Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire), so it would make sense for Vileplume to at least be in the game, if not get a Mega Evolution as well. This could start an avalanche where several other critters get Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A just to make them even with their counterparts from their Generations, and if it doesn’t, some fans could be unhappy about Vileplume not getting a Mega like Victreebel – assuming this is truly happening.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is in a Catch-22 Situation With Mega Evolutions

Even if it’s just Victreebel, it’s a strange choice for a new Mega Evolution given the Pokemon’s current status in the main series. On the other hand, it could be exactly what Victreebel needs to see some time in the limelight. With Pokemon Legends: Z-A being most likely a solo game with no PvP, if PLA is anything to go by, Mega Victribeel could be a nice addition, but not truly move the needle in favor of this critter. What’s more important is that the game should try and avoid giving new Megas to Gen 1 mons exclusively, or for the most part. If Victreebel is the exception rather than the rule, it could be a great addition.

Game

My Favorite Games
My Played Games
My Games Wishlist

Systems