On May 28th, The Pokemon Company announced that there is a Pokemon Presents presentation scheduled for Tuesday, July 22nd and that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will release for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on October 16th. Ahead of the presentation and Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s release, The Pokemon Company additionally announced that Pokemon Centers will begin selling new Mega Evolution-themed products, such as Mega Evolution plushes, pins, and clothing. While the exact contents of the upcoming Pokemon Presents are currently known, it’s highly likely the presentation will shed light on Z-A’s new and returning Mega Evolutions.
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All of Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s Confirmed Mega Evolutions
As soon as it was first revealed that Pokemon Legends: Z-A would take place in Lumiose City, many fans speculated that the game would herald the long-awaited return of Mega Evolutions. Since Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, no new Mega Evolutions have been introduced in the franchise, and Mega Evolution as a gameplay mechanic hasn’t appeared in a mainline Pokemon game since Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. While mechanics like Z-Moves, Dynamaxing, and Terastallization have tried to fill the void left by Mega Evolution’s absence, many players still want to see Mega Evolution return in some form.
In February 2025, Mega Evolution was finally officially confirmed to be returning in Z-A, with the game’s protagonist being shown utilizing a Mega Ring to Mega Evolve a Lucario in a Z-A trailer. This trailer also showcased the return of the following Mega Evolutions:
- Mega Absol
- Mega Altaria
- Mega Ampharos
- Mega Charizard X
- Mega Charizard Y
- Mega Gardevoir
- Mega Gyarados
- Mega Kangaskhan
- Mega Sableye
Later announcements and trailers showed off other returning Mega Evolutions, such as Mega Salamence, Mega Gallade, Mega Gengar, and Mega Alakazam, seemingly suggesting that most, if not all, Mega Evolutions will return in Z-A. However, it’s still unknown if Mega Evolution forms of Legendary Pokemon, such as Mega Rayquaza or similar Primal forms of Kyogre and Groudon, will return in Z-A.
Potential Pokemon Legends: Z-A Summer Announcements
Throughout spring 2025, many rumors and leaks have popped up, which detail up to 27 new Mega Evolutions that will supposedly debut in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Among these rumored new Mega Evolutions are Mega Evolved Pokemon from Gens 1-6, such as Mega Starmie, Mega Hawlucha, and Mega Excadrill, as well as brand-new Mega Evolutions from Gens 7 and 8, such as Mega Drampa and Mega Falinks. While none of these Mega Evolutions are officially confirmed to appear in Z-A, the entire list of supposed Mega Evolutions was initially revealed by Centro LEAKS, an account that leaked info that turned out to be true in the past.
With Pokemon Legends: Z-A being the first mainline Pokemon game to feature Mega Evolution in eight years, it would make sense for Game Freak to develop some new Mega Evolutions for the title, giving newfound life and popularity to lesser-used Pokemon. It would also make sense for at least a few of those new Mega Evolutions to be officially unveiled at the upcoming Pokemon Presents. Using the presentation as a showcase for new Mega Evolutions could increase hype for Z-A as well as Gen 10, if the new Mega Evolutions will ultimately be carried over to the next mainline entries.
Pokemon Presents Announcements Beyond Legends: Z-A
While the majority of the upcoming Pokemon Presents presentation is expected to focus on Pokemon Legends: Z-A and its features, there is potential for The Pokemon Company to unveil news unrelated to Z-A. With the Nintendo Switch 2 being released in June, and 2026 being Pokemon’s 30th anniversary, Game Freak and The Pokemon Company could potentially tease information about the next mainline Pokemon games, which will presumably release in 2026. A simple teaser trailer or some brief details about the Gen 10 games could potentially help increase sales for Z-A, and the Nintendo Switch 2, and get fans excited about the many celebrations expected to coincide with Pokemon’s 30th anniversary.
