Pokemon fans were beyond excited when Pokemon Legends: Z-A was revealed. One of the main reasons for this hype was the return of Mega Evolutions. As its October 16th release date approaches, The Pokemon Company and Nintendo have been slowly revealing new Mega Evolutions. Dragonite, Victrebell, Hawlucha, and Malamar have all been revealed to receive a Mega Evolution. However, despite the initial excitement for this feature, I’m starting to get concerned with each new reveal. The reason has to do with these Pokemon’s designs, which many fans agree are terrible.
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Mega Evolutions are typically seen as cool new ways to continue giving Pokemon evolutions. Most are beloved, but this is not the case with the new Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. As a result, I am beginning to fear how The Pokemon Company will handle designs in Generation 10 of Pokemon. If the company can’t make these new Mega Evolutions look good, how much better can we expect wholly new Pokemon to be?
Legends: Z-A Has Some Awful New Looks for Classic Pokemon
Mega Dragonite was the first new Mega Evolution revealed for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and the reaction was not kind. Many, myself included, called it goofy and terribly designed, complaints that have been expressed about Dragonite’s normal appearance. However, Dragonite is a Gen 1 Pokemon and has beaten this perception thanks to iconic moments and its nostalgia. Mega Dragonite doesn’t get these same benefits.
This trend continued with Mega Victrebell. While the reveal trailer for it was praised, the actual Pokemon design was criticized harshly. Mega Malamar, the latest revealed Mega Evolution, saw a similar reception. The Pokemon Company went all out on its reveal trailer, but I was ultimately disappointed by the design, and not even mind control can change this.
The one saving grace is Mega Hawlucha. While its design is a bit better, some did express concern that the sparkle seen in the animation is not actually present in the game. But this isn’t the only problem with Mega Hawlucha. While its design is overall good, it feels uninspired and too safe. Megas in the past took big risks with their designs, and it’s clear Hawlucha didn’t. That said, Dragonite, Victrebell, and Malamar’s designs have shown that risks aren’t always worth taking.
Is Generation 10 Going to Feature the Ugliest Pokemon Yet?
Pokemon designs have always been hit or miss. There have been some truly incredible designs, but The Pokemon Company has released ugly messes before. Mr. Mime, Purugly, Barbaracle, and Bruxish are just some of the ugliest Pokemon in the series. This doesn’t take into account Pokemon like Voltorb, Trubbish, or Vanillish that just have stupid designs. Sadly, it seems this is the trend Pokemon Legends: Z-A is setting with its Mega Evolutions. Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemonn Violet are guilty of this as well.
This does not bode well for Generation 10 at all. Every new Pokemon generation brings excitement, speculation, and Pokemon. There is always a debate about design quality, but I’m starting to think that Generation 10 might be cooked. The Mega Evolutions revealed so far have left fans uncertain that The Pokemon Company knows how to create good-looking Pokemon anymore.
While ugly Pokemon have existed in the past, we’re on track to have Generation 10 feature the ugliest designs yet. There is also the debate that Pokemon have been over-designed as of late. Some designs have always been criticized, but this has seen an uptick in recent years. Generation 10 could be the breaking point when fans see more oddballs and ugly Pokemon than ever.
Are Pokemon Fans Overreacting to Bad Mega Evolutions?
While it is true that some of the new Mega Evolutions have missed the mark, the amount of hate they receive is staggering. Look at Incineroar, for example. It was one of the most hated Pokemon because of its design, but it has gone on to become one of the strongest Pokemon in competitive history, and even was added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Is its design bad? Yes, but this hasn’t stopped players from using it.
Players don’t even have to use the new Mega Evolved Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Even if they do, they are temporary transformations before the Pokemon revert to their normal looks. Additionally, there are still plenty of Mega Evolutions that have yet to be revealed. Leaks have teased what these look like, but there is still a good chance that good Mega Evolutions will be seen.
Discussing and criticizing the designs is fine, but some players are perhaps taking this too far. Pokemon Legends: Z-A is just one game in a long-running series. Generation 10 could see a course correction and drop incredible designs. Despite my own hesitancy, we’ll just need to wait and see without letting expectations ruin an entire new Generation of Pokemon before reveal.
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