Published Sep 6, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT
Bruno Yonezawa is a Gaming Senior Writer for Screen Rant. He's been practicing professional journalism for over 10 years, and is also a communications specialist. He's played games all his life and turned that passionate hobby into a passionate career, in an industry where he's worked as a writer, editor, analyst, and more.
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The Mega Evolution system in Pokémon is one of the most beloved mechanics in the series, allowing players to enhance some of their buddies one last time, giving these creatures access to stronger stats and, oftentimes, even new Types that make them stronger than ever. The mechanic that was first introduced in Gen 6 games made an epic comeback in Gen 9. Alongside several of the classics, there were also a few new Mega Evolutions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, allowing players to gain access to Mega forms that didn’t exist before.
There is some debate that Pokémon relies too heavily on Mega Evolutions, so much so that other generational gimmicks like Dynamax and Gigantamax are all somewhat similar to the Gen 6 creation. Even so, Mega Evolutions are still adored, and with new Mega forms having been introduced lately, there are also new fan favorites. Some of the Mega Evolutions in the series significantly increase the value of the base Pokémon, not only in terms of stats and general power, but also design-wise. There are currently 96 Mega Evolution forms, and some are simply 10/10.
10 Mega Charizard X
One of the most iconic and best Mega Evolutions in Pokémon is Mega Charizard X. One of the two Mega forms for the Gen 1 Fire-type creature, Mega Charizard X completely changes the Pokémon for the better. Though Charizard is arguably one of the most adored Pokémon in the series, it gets even cooler with a palette swap. Leaving behind its trademark orange coloration, it becomes a black and blue Pokémon that breathes blue flames from its mouth.
In addition to its stunning visual overhaul, Mega Charizard X becomes Fire- and Dragon-type, making for a whole new range of tactical possibilities. In terms of stats, it becomes a powerful Physical attacker, matching its Special Attack base stat, so moves like Flare Blitz and Dragon Rush hit a lot harder. On top of all of that, it gains the Tough Claws ability, which makes these contact-based moves deal 30% more damage. Mega Charizard X is a force of nature, and a great-looking one at that.
9 Mega Gengar
Much like Charizard, Gengar is a fan favorite Pokémon from Gen 1 that has a fantastic Mega Evolution at its disposal. Mega Gengar transforms the Ghost- and Poison-type Pokémon’s body, making it stand up as if it were a vicious quadrupedal creature, though its back legs are sunken into the ground. Its tail also gets a lot bigger, and it gains a third eye on its forehead. The already creepy Pokémon gets a lot creepier.
Mega Gengar in Pokémon does not change types, retaining its original Ghost- and Poison-type structure. It also leans further into the base Pokémon’s specialty, increasing Special Attack. Ultimately, Mega Gengar is a glass cannon, and with its Shadow Tag ability, it can destroy opponents’ Pokémon lineup one by one, with no chance of escaping.
8 Mega Ampharos
Mega Ampharos is a delightful form for the iconic Gen 2 Electric-type Pokémon. Visually speaking, Mega Ampharos distinguishes itself from its base form with white wool growing from its head and on its tail. This gives the creature a more powerful and imposing look, while retaining everything that makes it adorable. What is most surprising about Mega Ampharos, however, is that it goes through a type change.
This Mega Evolution gains Dragon-type, making Mega Ampharos a dual Electric- and Dragon-type Pokémon. This makes moves like Dragon Pulse and Breaking Swipe a whole lot more effective thanks to the STAB bonus mechanics in the Pokémon series. On top of all that, it becomes even more effective as a Special Attack fighter while gaining improvements to its defensive abilities, even if that comes at the cost of a debuff to its already low Speed.
7 Mega Garchomp
Image: Bruno YonezawaGarchomp is one of those near-perfect Pokémon that becomes even better with a Mega Evolution. Introduced in Gen 6, Mega Garchomp makes the Gen 4 pseudo-legendary look even more vicious and terrifying when it’s across from you on the battlefield. Its wing-like appendages become sharpened scythes, while its jaws grow even bigger, truly leaning into the design concept of making it look like a shark-infused ground predator. Also, it looks even cooler flying in this form.
Mega Garchomp retains its Dragon- and Ground-type scheme, but gets big buffs to Attack and Special Attack, making it a menace. The Mega Evolution gains the Sand Force ability, which empowers its Rock-, Ground-, and Steel-type moves within sandstorms, and if you plan it all out perfectly, you’ll be knocking out opposing Pokémons pretty quickly with empowered Ground-type moves like Dig, Bulldoze, Stomping Tantrum, Earth Power, or Earthquake.
6 Mega Steelix
Let’s face it: Steelix, much like Scizor, was a cool Pokémon back in Gen 2 when they surprised us as a new evolution possibility for Gen 1 Pokémon, when that was all we knew. However, as time went by, this Steel- and Ground-type Pokémon lost a bit of its appeal. Nevertheless, the introduction of Mega Steelix in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire brought the spotlight back onto this classic Pokémon with a fantastic new design and improved stats that made it completely viable on a team.
With crystalline formations emerging from its body and metal that rotates around its reinforced body, Mega Steelix got a remarkable overhaul. While it retains its typing, it’s a lot stronger than its base form and is much more capable of tanking and one-shotting opponents. It’s a bit weak against Special moves, but it is a great physical defense specialist that also looks good while withstanding hits.
5 Mega Rayquaza
Rayquaza is the only Pokémon in the series that can Mega Evolve without a Mega Stone. Instead, it needs to know the move Dragon Ascent. Upon becoming Mega Rayquaza, this creature’s design becomes even cooler than its base form, which is already quite literally legendary. Mega Rayquaza gains filaments that extend from its body, in addition to the augmentation of its appendages. Mega Rayquaza looks bigger, stronger, and more powerful than ever.
This is well translated into game mechanics. While it does not change its typing, retaining its Dragon- and Flying-type, Mega Rayquaza in Pokémon gains the Delta Stream ability, which effectively removes all Weaknesses from Flying-type Pokémon. This makes it take normal damage from Rock-type moves and only 2x damage from Ice-type moves, rather than the 4x it takes from Ice-type moves in its regular form. Mega Rayquaza also gets buffs to Attack, Special Attack, and Speed, making it absolutely deadly to deal with.
4 Mega Froslass
Image: Bruno YonezawaArguably the best new Mega Evolution in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Mega Froslass made an incredible Pokémon even better. Snorunt’s female-exclusive evolution, Froslass, was a remarkable Yuki-onna-inspired Ice- and Ghost-type back in Gen 4, and while it retains its typing when Mega Evolving, its design becomes absolutely unforgettable. The first thing you’ll notice is that Mega Froslass becomes a towering Pokémon.
The small ice crystals it had on its head become fully formed horns, which resemble those of Oni, while its body seems like a kimono that levitates over snow. Mega Froslass becomes terrifying in this form. It also gains a huge boost to Special Attack, making it a powerful glass cannon. This is a Mega Evolution that truly elevates the big potential that the base Pokémon already had.
3 Mega Delphox
Mega Delphox in Pokémon Legends: Z-A was arguably an underrated Mega Evolution, even if it is one of the absolute best. A lot of attention is always directed at Greninja, but the fact is that Delphox is a great Fire-type first partner evolution, and Mega Delphox makes it even better. Delphox itself is based on a wizard from traditional RPG tropes, and the Mega Evolution makes it feel like a level 20 spellcaster in D&D.
While the original Delphox carries a wand-like stick, Mega Delphox now flies on a burning branch, as if it were a witch’s broom, commanding two floating wands. It also gains darker fur, as if it were wearing better magician robes, and long white fur on its lower jaw, like an old wizard’s beard. It also gains the Levitate ability, which makes it immune to otherwise super-effective Ground-type moves, as well as a significant boost to its already strong Special Attack stat.
2 Mega Drampa
Image: Bruno YonezawaI have to confess that a Mega Drampa was not on my bingo card for Legends: Z-A, but it really surprised me. I get the fact that Drampa is designed to look like a senior dragon that’s already lived its life, but its design has always been somewhat unappealing. Mega Drampa changes that. Instead of droopy white hair and fur, it seems to go through a rejuvenation process.
The white fur becomes dark gray and is held up high, as if it were spiky. The fur around its body resembles dark thunderclouds, making Mega Drampa look like a truly menacing dragon. Surely, it retains its unusual Normal- and Dragon-type scheme, but it gains a significant boost to offensive stats and a reasonable bump to its defensive stats, making it much more usable. It also retains the Berserk ability, making it a damage sponge that retaliates elegantly.
1 Mega Lucario Z
One of the Mega forms introduced in the Pokémon Mega Dimension DLC for Legends: Z-A, Mega Lucario Z is a delightful addition to the roster. While Lucario already had a Mega Evolution that made it stronger and much cooler to look at, Mega Lucario Z takes the fan favorite Gen 4 Pokémon in a different direction. Lucario’s design is, first and foremost, inspired by the Egyptian god Anubis.
Mega Lucario Z is a masterclass in Pokémon design because it dives deeper into what inspired the original creature. One of the most notable aspects is that it gains dark eyeliner-like marks around its eyes, much like those seen in ancient Egyptian culture. It also gets a pleasant color swap and the Aura Guard ability, which helps it take less damage from contact-based moves. Compared to the regular Mega Lucario, Mega Lucario Z is faster and better suited for Special Attack moves, making it a fun choice for any party in Pokémon.
TV Show(s) Pokémon
Video Game(s) Pokemon Red and Blue, Pokemon Yellow, Pokemon Gold and Silver, Pokémon Crystal, Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokemon Sapphire, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Pokemon Platinum, Pokemon Black and White, Pokemon Black and White 2, Pokemon X and Y, Pokemon Sun and Moon, Pokemon Sword and Shield, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Pokemon Winds and Waves, Pokemon Legends Arceus, Pokemon Legends Z-A
First Film Pokemon: The First Movie
First TV Show Pokémon
First Game Pokemon Red and Blue
Genres RPG
Pokémon is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori, launched by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures in 1996. Centered on fictional creatures called Pokémon, the series spans video games, trading cards, animation, films, merchandise, and competitive events. Players assume the role of Trainers who capture, battle, and trade Pokémon. It is one of the highest-grossing entertainment franchises in history.
English (US) ·