Every Pokémon Game That Uses Mega Evolution (2024)

Battle mechanics took on a new direction in the Pokémon main series during Generation 6 with the addition of Mega Evolution. This special form of evolution isn't permanent, unlike regular evolution mechanics. Trainers must raise a Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, obtain an item called a Key Stone, and the Pokémon must be holding a Mega Stone. Once Mega Evolution is achieved, a Pokémon can deal powerful moves during battle, while also sporting an exciting, temporary Mega Form design. After the introduction of Pokémon's Mega Evolution mechanic in Pokémon X and Y, it appeared in several other Pokémon titles.

However, the mechanics work differently in each game. Currently, there are 46 Pokémon species that possess the ability to Mega Evolve. Like Dynamax, Gigantamax, and Terastallization, Mega Evolution can only be used once during a battle. Unlike Dynamax, however, it doesn't have a turn-based time limit. A Pokémon stays Mega Evolved even if it is recalled to its Poké Ball during a battle or wild encounter and will only revert after the battle has ended, or the Pokémon is knocked unconscious. However, only one Pokémon on the team can Mega Evolve during the battle, which hints at its game-changing firepower.

6 Pokémon X & Y

Generation 6 Games

Mega Evolution in Pokémon X and Y introduced 28 capable Pokémon species. These include the fully-evolved Kanto starters, as well as Legendary Pokémon like Latias, Latios, and Mewtwo. Mewtwo and Charizard each were given two different Mega-Evolution forms, Mega Mewtwo X and Y and Mega Charizard X and Y, respectively. The version each Pokémon gets depends on the Mega Stone they are holding, which is version-exclusive to either Pokémon X or Y. It is stated in Pokémon X and Y that the first Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution was the dual Fighting- and Steel-type Lucario.

Oddly, despite Mega Evolution being a key mechanic in Pokémon X and Y, it was not applied to the region-specific Legendary Pokémon for Kalos, Xerneas, Yveltal, and Zygarde. Instead, the focus for the mechanic was placed on Pokémon species that were popular in previous generations. This could be because Game Freak had never added a battle mechanic similar to Mega Evolution in the previous five Pokémon Generations, and the developers were hoping the ability would be better received if given to already popular Pokémon, who could hype the ability with interesting new designs. However, this was never officially confirmed.

5 Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire

Generation 6 Games

Mega Evolution in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is similar to Pokémon X and Y, possibly because these are part of the same Generation of releases. However, a few changes have been made to the Gen 3 remakes. 18 more Mega Evolution-capable species were introduced to Pokémon's iconic Hoenn region, many of which were region-specific. Additionally, Legendary Pokémon Groudon and Kyogre were both given Primal Reversion forms, although these forms aren't considered Mega Evolution themselves. If a trainer uses Primal Kyogre or Groudon in battle after capturing it, they can still use Mega Evolution in the same battle.

During Pokémon X and Y, a trainer's Keystone is held in a Mega Ring. In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the ring has been replaced with a Mega Bracelet. The Mega Bracelet cannot be obtained in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire until the trainer has defeated either Team Magma or Team Aqua in their respective game. After this, they will travel to the Southern Island with Hoenn's champion Steven Stone, who will give the bracelet as a gift and introduce the ability to Soar with either Mega Latias or Mega Latios, depending on the player's version of the game.

4 Pokémon Sun & Moon

Generation 7 Games

Much like in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Mega Evolution is added to Sun and Moon much later in gameplay. Trainers don't have access to the Mega Bracelet until after they have defeated the Elite Four and battle Dexio on the Ancient Poni Path. After this, Mega Evolution is available, but it isn't useful for anything but end-game challenges. In fact, the fan-favorite gameplay mechanic does not play much of an important role in these first Gen 7 games as they did with the previous Pokémon releases.

The big new aspect for Gen 7 core games was the introduction of Z-Moves. This new gameplay mechanic centers around the use of a special type of move. Contrary to Mega Evolutions, which were only really achievable with some specific compatible Pokémon, Z-Moves were created so that any Pokémon in that game could use them. As such, players could use their favorite Pokémon and still take advantage of the central mechanic, something that was not possible with Mega Evolutions – those wanting to use Mega Evolutions had to content themselves with using specific Pokémon that were not always their favorite.

3 Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!

Generation 7 Games

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! feature the simplest implementation of Mega Evolution in any game that boasts the gameplay mechanic. As remakes of the Gen 1 games, Pokémon aren't able to hold items, meaning Mega Evolution can simply be activated with a selection on-screen – even Mewtwo and Charizard's distinct forms can be chosen on the go, without any prior preparation. The gameplay mechanic is somewhat thrown into the games without much of a connection to the story.

While they are simply present in the game, they can still be used in tougher battles. In fact, players are encouraged to use certain Mega Evoltions to face the Elite Four of Kanto, for example, as this can give them the upper hand when battling the strongest trainers in the region. Out of the 48 existing Mega Evolutions in the franchise, 15 can be used in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, all of which pertain to the creatures featured in the Gen 1 remakes.

2 Pokémon GO & Others

Spinoff Titles Are Not Part Of Generations

Mega Evolution released for Pokémon GO in the summer of 2020. Many big changes were made to Mega Evolution mechanics to accommodate for Pokémon GO's mobile format, to make the special evolutions work better for gameplay. To use Mega Evolution in Pokémon GO, capable Pokémon must consume Mega Energies. Mega Evolution lasts for eight hours and boosts the Pokémon's stats while they hold the form. As is the case with the core series games, only one Pokémon can be in the Mega Evolution state at a time – Mega Evolving one creature will undo the Mega Evolution active on another.

Mega Evolution also appears in a more minor way in several other Pokémon titles, including the mobile game Pokémon Masters EX, Pokémon Picross, Pokémon Rumble World, Pokémon Shuffle, Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, Pokkén Tournament, and even the Super Smash Bros. games. Unlike the main Pokémon games, however, Mega Evolution is a very small part of these titles, primarily being used as a reference, instead of a key mechanic. Mega Evolution has also been covered heavily in the Pokémon XYZ anime, as well as being explained briefly in Pokémon Journeys.

1 Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Generation 9 Game

Mega Evolution has been a dormant feature in Pokémon games for some time now. That is expected to change with the upcoming release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The new Gen 9 title for Nintendo Switch consoles has already been announced, though little information was provided. Among it was the confirmation that the game will be set in the Gen 6 region of Kalos. At the very end of the game's first teaser, Nintendo confirms that Mega Evolutions will return by showing the mechanic's icon. This will end Mega Evolution's six-year absence from core series games.

At the time of writing, it is uncertain exactly how Mega Evolutions will return and which Pokémon will be featured in the game – and which new Pokémon may get Mega Forms. There is even a Pokémon Legends: Z-A Mega Evolution theory that states that every Pokémon will get some sort of Mega Evolution, even if it does not deviate too much from its original form. The idea is that Mega Evolutions would be accessible to every Pokémon, much like Dynamax in Gen 8 and Terastallization in Gen 9.

The classic Pokémon returning to Scarlet and Violet lack any Mega Evolution options, as did the rosters in Sword and Shield, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and Legends: Arceus. It may take a while before players get access to Mega Evolutions in their current Generation, but with the prospect of Legends: Z-A's release on the horizon, the wait shouldn't take too long. Until then, those who enjoy the mechanic can always revisit past games and power up with Mega Stones for an epic Pokémon battle.

Pokemon

Created by

Satoshi Taijiri , Ken Sugimori , Junichi Masuda

First Film

Pokemon: The First Movie

Latest Film

Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle

First TV Show

Pokémon (1997)

First Episode Air Date

April 1, 1997

Video Game(s)

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet , Pokémon Legends: Arceus , Pokemon Snap , Pokémon GO