Amidst the swirling rumors about “Pokemon Legends: Z-A,” fans have been eagerly speculating about which beloved creatures might receive brand-new Mega Evolutions. The buzz all started when the initial announcement seemed to suggest a return of this much-missed feature. While no official word from Game Freak has been released, leaked information purporting to list these new Mega Evolutions has become the primary source fueling players’ imaginations.
Besides the exciting leaked details about Mega Evolutions, there’s another intriguing rumor making the rounds. It suggests that “Legends: Z-A” might not introduce any new Pokemon at all. This has led to speculations about possible changes to the game’s traversal mechanics. Ride Pokemon have been a key feature in recent open-world games like “Pokemon Legends: Arceus” and the latest entries, “Scarlet and Violet.” Although Game Freak hasn’t divulged how players will navigate the sprawling landscapes of Lumiose City, the combined chatter about Mega Evolutions and a lack of new Pokemon could indicate a fresh take on the Ride Pokemon concept seen in “Arceus.”
As Game Freak works to adapt Pokemon’s classic elements to suit the open-world format, “Legends: Arceus” solidified Ride Pokemon as a central mechanic. Previously glimpsed in the “Poke Ride” feature of games like “Pokemon Sun and Moon,” these companions have become a definitive part of the series’ evolution. While “Scarlet and Violet” utilized their Legendary Pokemon as Ride companions, “Arceus” took a different route, featuring Hisuian regional Pokemon as Ride choices. Now, with “Z-A” rumored to focus more on Mega Evolutions than regional variants, fans wonder if a shift in traversal strategy is on the horizon.
Despite the official trailers for “Legends: Z-A” not yet unveiling any new or region-specific Pokemon forms, there remains a possibility that they might not be in the cards this time around. Since “Arceus” prominently featured Hisuian forms in its promotional material, “Z-A” may be set too close to the modern Pokemon timeline for introducing its own regional variants. Instead, it might capitalize on revamping classic Pokemon through the Mega Evolution mechanic to fill that role.
If the leaks indicating a fresh take on traversal turn out to be true, then the absence of new regional forms in favor of Mega Evolutions could offer fresh solutions for game navigation. A speculative look at how these changes may manifest can be drawn by comparing known Ride Pokemon from “Arceus” with their potential counterparts in “Z-A,” inferred from the leaks. While the full picture of how this new world will look is still incomplete with the game set to release in late 2025, players’ curiosity is piqued by the possibilities of “Legends: Z-A.”
For instance, in “Arceus,” the noble Wyrdeer was utilized for riding and jumping, but “Z-A” might see this role taken over by a regal Pyroar. Ursaluna’s dousing ability in Hisui might translate to an Excadrill burrowing beneath the surface in Lumiose. As water mounts go, Basculegion’s underwater prowess may be the inspiration for a surfing Starmie instead. Mountainous terrains previously scaled by Sneasler might now challenge the steely grips of Barbaracle. Meanwhile, Braviary, synonymous with flying, could see its airborne duties handed off to the armored Skarmory. Each of these potential changes paints a picture of a transformed exploration mechanic confirmed or not, and without a doubt, this keeps the community abuzz with anticipation.
