There’s been some buzz in the Pokemon community about leaked Mega Evolutions for Pokemon Legends: Z-A. It seems that some of these Evolutions involve only one half of well-known Pokemon pairs. This has led fans to speculate that Game Freak may have future plans for DLC that would introduce Mega Evolutions for the missing counterparts. Of course, as with any leak, it’s important to remain skeptical, but CentroLeaks has been a fairly reliable source in the past and recently published a list suggesting which Pokemon might receive Mega Evolutions in Legends: Z-A. If these leaks turn out to be accurate, it brings up the question of why only some Pokemon within these pairs are receiving new evolutions.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A is allegedly adding around 27 Mega Evolutions. Aside from the series mascots like Zygarde and new evolutions for the starter trio, there appear to be several Pokemon that have been left without their known partners. Although not all are officially paired, typically their similarities in design and type or version exclusivity have led them to be considered as pairs. Historically, Game Freak has balanced these relationships by introducing new evolutions, forms, or regional variants. This potential for splitting numerous Pokemon pairs in Legends: Z-A could hint at Game Freak’s plan to eventually balance things out with DLC featuring the missing Mega Evolutions.
In the past, between games like Pokemon X and Y and Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, we’ve seen various pairs receive Mega Evolutions, even if these weren’t introduced in the same installment. For example, the evolutionary split between Gallade and Gardevoir both received Mega Evolutions, as did pairs like Pinsir and Heracross or Steelix and Scizor. If the leaks hold true, finally some overdue Mega Evolutions might be on the horizon, such as the female-exclusive Froslass compared to Mega Glalie.
However, the leaks also show that Legends: Z-A could cause even more separations:
– Wigglytuff and Mega Clefable
– Cloyster and Mega Starmie
– Vileplume and Mega Victreebel
– Clawitzer and Mega Dragalge
– Turtonator and Mega Drampa
It’s easy to overlook if only a few pairs were affected, but the substantial number of separated Pokemon, coupled with others that have yet to receive a Mega Evolution, is glaring. Pokemon like Slowbro versus Slowking or Gyarados versus Milotic are examples of pairs still waiting for their Mega turn.
This situation suggests that Game Freak may have plans to expand Pokemon Legends: Z-A through DLC, just like the expansions made for Pokemon Sword and Shield, and more recently, Scarlet and Violet. Unlike its predecessor, Pokemon Legends: Arceus, which didn’t add any DLC, Legends: Z-A could break the series’ conventions, potentially paving the way with fresh game features and locations set in modern Lumiose City. DLC could very well be their approach to introduce more Mega Evolutions.
Some Pokemon pairs are straightforward, like Wigglytuff and Clefable, while others could be more complex, something that Legends: Z-A might sidestep with its current Mega Evolutions lineup. For instance, while Vileplume and Victreebel were initially paired in Generation 1, Generation 2’s introduction of Bellossom, as an alternate evolution, could make the partner identification less clear. As most partnerships aren’t rooted in official lore—think Seviper and Zangoose or Heatmor and Durant—it’s entirely possible Game Freak never intended for Legends: Z-A’s leaks to split so many Pokemon pairs, leaving room for future DLC to address this.
