Summary
- Mega Evolution is a temporary form of evolution introduced in Generation 6 of the Pokémon main series. Trainers must raise a Mega Evolution-capable Pokémon, obtain a Key Stone, and the Pokémon must hold a Mega Stone for it to work.
- Mega Evolution allows Pokémon to deal incredibly powerful moves during battle and sport an exciting temporary Mega Form design. Only one Pokémon on the team can Mega Evolve during a battle.
- Mega Evolution has appeared in Pokémon X and Y, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Sun and Moon, Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Pokémon GO, and other Pokémon titles, but its inclusion in future games or is unknown.
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 Mega Evolution Capable Pokémon, obtain an item called a Key Stone, and the Pokémon must be holding a Mega Stone for the mechanics to work. However, once Mega Evolution is achieved, a Pokémon can deal incredibly powerful moves during battle, while also sporting an exciting, temporary Mega Form design. After Mega Evolution was introduced in Pokémon X and Y, it appeared in several other Pokémon titles, but the mechanics work differently in each game.
Currently, there are 46 Pokémon species who possess the ability to Mega Evolve. Like Dynamax and Gigantamax, 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.
5 Pokémon X & Y
Mega Evolution in Pokémon X and Y introduced 28 capable Pokémon species. These included the fully-evolved Kanto starters, as well as Legendary Pokémon like Latias, Latios, and Mewtwo. Charizard and Mewtwo each were given two different Mega-Evolution forms, Mega Mewtwo X and Y and Mega Charizard X and Y. The version each Pokémon gets depends on the Mega Stone they are holding, which are 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 Fighting-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. 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.
4 Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Mega Evolution in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is similar to Pokémon X and Y, but a few changes have been made for the third generation remakes. 18 more Mega Evolution-capable species were introduced to Pokémon's iconic Hoenn region, many of which were region-specific. In addition to Mega Evolution, 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. Kyogre and Groudon remain the only Pokémon in the series to have Primal Reversion forms.
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. After this, they will travel to the Southern Island with Steven, who will give the bracelet as a gift and introduce the ability to Soar with either Mega Latias or Mega Latios.
3 Pokémon Sun & Moon
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.
2 Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! & Let's Go, Eevee!
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! feature the simplest implementation of Mega Evolution in any game that heavily features it. 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.
1 Pokémon GO & Others
Additionally, 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. Only one Pokémon can be in the Mega Evolution state at a time, despite Pokémon GO teams consisting of a much larger number than the traditional main series Pokémon games.
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.
Mega Evolution has been a dormant feature in Pokémon games for some time now. 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. Currently, it isn't known if Mega Evolution will make a reappearance in any upcoming games, or if it will have a bigger part to play in future seasons of the Pokémon anime, but those who enjoy the mechanic can always revisit past games and power up with Mega Stones for an epic Pokémon battle.