Several Pokemon amongPokemon Legends: Z-A’s leaked Mega Evolutions stand out as only one half of an existing pair, suggesting that Game Freak might have plans for Mega Evolution DLC later on with these leftover counterparts. Though all leaks and rumors should be treated with skepticism, one of the more credible sources forPokemonleaks, CentroLeaks, has released a list ofMega Evolutions supposedly coming toLegends: Z-A.Given that these leaked Mega Evolutions could potentially be real, this raises new questions about why certain critters are receiving new evolutions despite being part of an established pair.
Out of the 27 or so Mega Evolutions allegedly being introduced inPokemon Legends: Z-A, besides the likes of its mascot Legendary Pokemon Zygarde or its starter trio, several Pokemon appear to be missing their counterparts. While these pairs aren’t always officially connected, their version exclusivity and similarities in design and typing have typically made them inseparable, ultimately leading to Game Freak balancing these counterparts with new evolutions, forms, and regional variants. Yet withLegends: Z-A’s upcoming Mega Evolutions potentially splitting so many Pokemon counterparts, Game Freak could plan to balance these pairs with new Mega Evolutions released as future DLC.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Mega Evolutions Might Split Several Pokemon Pairs
BetweenPokemon XandYandPokemon Omega RubyandAlpha Sapphire, several Pokemon pairs have already received Mega Evolutions, even if these new evolutions weren’t introduced in the same games. For example, the Ralts line’s gendered evolution split saw both Gardevoir and Gallade receive Mega Evolutions, while other counterparts such as Pinsir and Heracross, Steelix and Scizor, and even Legendary Pokemon like Latios and Latias also got Mega Evolutions. Moreover, shouldLegends: Z-A’s leaks prove to be accurate, then other Pokemon counterparts may finally receive overdue Mega Evolutions, such as the gendered split betweenFroslass and Mega Glalie.
However, these same leaks also reveal thatLegends: Z-Awill break up several more counterparts, with only one Pokemon out of various pairs receiving Mega Evolutions as listed below.
While it might have been easier to overlook ifLegends: Z-Ahad only separated one or two different counterparts with its new Mega Evolutions, the significant number of split Pokemon pairs alongside current counterparts still due Mega Evolutions of their own is hard to ignore. Including other potential counterparts like Slowbro’s Slowking or Gyarados' Milotic,Legends: Z-Aappears to be skipping more Mega Evolutionsbetween these pairs.
Game Freak Might Already Have DLC Plans For Pokemon Legends: Z-A
With such a high number of Pokemon counterparts supposedly split further apart byLegends: Z-A’s Mega Evolutions, this could suggest that Game Freak is planning to expand the game post-launch, just as it did withPokemon SwordandShieldand more recently withPokemon ScarletandViolet. While its predecessor,Pokemon Legends: Arceus, didn’t receive any DLC,Legends: Z-Ahas broken with several traditionsalready, such as a new battle system or its present-day, single-city setting. Therefore, it’s possible thatLegends: Z-Acould again break the mold with future DLC adding even more Mega Evolutions, especially for these leftover Pokemon counterparts.
Pokemon Counterparts Might Not Be So Clear-Cut For Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Despite some Pokemon pairs being easier to define, such as Wigglytuff and Clefable or Turtonator and Drampa, others could prove to be more complicated, whichLegends: Z-Amight avoid addressing with its Mega Evolutions. For instance, while Vileplume and Victreebel were originally paired in Gen 1, Gen 2’s introduction of Bellossom as a split evolution could mean it has become Vileplume’s counterpart instead. Given that most counterparts aren’t based on official canon either, like Seviper and Zangoose or Heatmor and Durant, Game Freak might never have intended forLegends: Z-A’s leaked Mega Evolutions to split so many Pokemon pairs or accounted for this with future DLC.
