Pokemon Legends: Z-A's 'Worst' Mega Should Have Been a Regional Fake

At the end of 2024, The Pokemon Company was hit with a bunch of leaks that supposedly revealed several of the new Mega Evolutions that would be featured in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. At first, a lot of gamers were unsure if these leaks were true or not, but as the months went by, they proved to be largely accurate. Despite being a major focus of the game, The Pokemon Company has only recently started to reveal the Mega Evolutions for Pokemon Legends: Z-A. In just the last few weeks, it announced that Mega Victreebel, Mega Dragonite, and Mega Hawlucha would all make their debuts in the game. These three Mega Evolutions were already leaked months beforehand, so their reveals gave the early reports more credibility.

Aside from Mega Victreebel, Mega Dragonite, and Mega Hawlucha, there may be about 23 other Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A that have yet to be announced. One of these alleged Mega Evolutions, however, has earned the ire of far more Pokemon fans than most. Back in April, known Pokemon leaker CentroLeaks reported on the existence of a new Mega Evolution form for Starmie, the starfish-shaped Pokemon that dates back to Generation 1. A colored image of Mega Starmie’s supposed in-game model was recently shared by the account online, and people have expressed great disappointment at what they’ve seen.

Mega Starmie’s Leaked Design Has Caused a Lot of Controversy

Mega Evolution forms have often been a great way for The Pokemon Company to add more flair to existing Pokemon designs, and make them look even cooler than they already are. Many Pokemon Mega Evolutions not only have different types, they also sport more complex looks compared to their original counterparts. Sadly, it seems Mega Starmie will not be fortunate enough to get this treatment. If the leaks about it are true, Starmie’s new Mega Evolution form in Pokemon Legends: Z-A will look almost exactly the same as the original Pokemon, just with two long front legs.

Starmie was unobtainable in both Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, so its rumored presence in Pokemon Legends: Z-A will mark its first appearance in the mainline Pokemon games since Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

Fans on social media have almost broadly condemned the leaked Mega Starmie design, arguing that it’s goofy-looking and lacking in creativity. Some have even gone so far as to say that it looks like a low-effort 3D model edit made by a Pokemon fan, rather than an official Pokemon design. Given the largely negative reception that Mega Starmie has received, it would have made more sense for The Pokemon Company to make this a design for a regional fake rather than a Mega Evolution.

Mega Starmie’s Design Fits a Regional Fake More than a Mega Pokemon

Wigglet And Wugtrio Pokemon Scarlet Violet Pokedex

Regional fakes, which were introduced to the Pokemon franchise in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, usually have more silly-looking designs compared to their ecologically similar relatives. The Water-type Pokemon Wiglett, for example, literally looks like a long Diglett with white skin. The dual-type Ground/Grass Pokemon Toedscruel, meanwhile, resembles a Tentacruel with legs instead of tentacles. Even Wugtrio, the Pokemon that Wiglett evolves into, is basically just a stretchy Dugtrio that has red skin.

Sadly, It’s Probably Too Late for Mega Starmie’s Appearance to Be Changed

If The Pokemon Company changed the colors of Mega Starmie’s model and turned it into a terrestrial Pokemon rather than an aquatic one, it would easily fit in among all the regional fakes that were featured in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Perhaps then, players would be a lot more accepting of this leaked Pokemon design. Unfortunately, though, given that Pokemon Legends: Z-A is set to come out in just a few weeks, the chances of this change actually being made on time are rather slim. Game Freak and The Pokemon Company probably won’t be able to make any adjustments to Mega Starmie’s design before the game’s launch, so players are most likely going to be stuck with this goofy Pokemon.