Z-A’s Mega Evolutions May Supersede a Key Arceus Feature

Recent chatter about Pokémon Legends: Z-A has primarily revolved around which Pokémon might receive brand-new Mega Evolutions. However, this leaked list might also offer clues about how the game plans to evolve a key feature from its previous installment. Since the initial announcement hinted at the return of Mega Evolutions, fans have been buzzing with excitement, eager to discover which Pokémon will get new Mega Evolved forms in Legends: Z-A. Yet, despite multiple trailers, Game Freak hasn’t provided any official information, leaving players to rely solely on leaked details that allegedly confirm the new Mega Evolutions in the game.

Beyond these Mega Evolution leaks, another rumor suggests that Legends: Z-A might not introduce any new Pokémon. This indicates a possible shift in how the game approaches traversal mechanics. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Ride Pokémon have gradually become a staple in open-world Pokémon games. While Game Freak hasn’t yet clarified how players will get around Lumiose City, the speculation surrounding Mega Evolutions and the absence of new Pokémon suggests that Legends: Z-A might offer a fresh take on the Ride Pokémon concept seen in Legends: Arceus.

Game Freak’s adaptation of Pokémon’s traditional designs for the open-world setting in Legends: Arceus has reintroduced Ride Pokémon, cementing them as a pivotal feature moving forward. While elements like Pokémon Sun and Moon had their Poke Ride, Legends: Arceus alongside Scarlet and Violet have solidified Ride Pokémon as a core mechanic for traversing expansive worlds. Interestingly, Scarlet and Violet integrated their mascot Legendary Pokémon as Ride Pokémon, while Legends: Arceus utilized Hisuian regional Pokémon for this purpose.

Much like the regional forms used for Arceus’s distinct starter Pokémon evolutions, Legends: Arceus set expectations that Legends: Z-A needs to meet, especially with elements like Ride Pokémon. A recent trailer has hinted at an intergenerational trio of starter Pokémon, aligning with the standards set by Legends: Arceus. However, if the game includes no new Pokémon or regional variants and instead focuses on Mega Evolutions for its starter Pokémon, Legends: Z-A could be reimagining the series’ approach to Ride Pokémon.

According to the official announcements and trailers we’ve seen, there have been no confirmations of new Pokémon, regional forms, or even convergent forms in Legends: Z-A. This could mean Game Freak hasn’t disclosed everything yet or there’s simply nothing new in these categories. Given the pivotal role Hisuian Pokémon played in promoting Legends: Arceus, it’s plausible that the new title might lean more towards Mega Evolutions as an alternative to introducing regional Pokémon in Lumiose City.

If these leaks hold true, examining Legends: Z-A’s leaked Mega Evolutions in the absence of regional Pokémon might shed light on how it could adapt the Ride Pokémon system from Legends: Arceus. A comparison of legends: Arceus’ Ride Pokémon alongside their potential counterparts in Legends: Z-A, if the new game’s open-world mirrors its predecessor, could be insightful. With the release slated for late 2025 and only a few trailers out, fans are eagerly waiting for Game Freak to reveal more details about Legends: Z-A to better understand what the game has in store.