In addition to finally revealing one of Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s newest Mega Evolutions, the game’s latest trailer may also lay one of the franchise’s oldest myths to rest. Despite confirming that Mega Evolutions would make their comeback during Pokemon Legends: Z-A‘s announcement, Game Freak kept quiet about the possibility of introducing new Mega Pokemon in the upcoming game. But after featuring in the recent Pokemon Presents showcase, Mega Dragonite could be the first of many new Mega Pokemon set to debut in Legends: Z-A, especially when considering how this reveal links back to leaked Mega Evolutions from earlier this year.
While Mega Dragonite has received a mixed reception from fans due to its design, it could prove to be an unusual solution to one of Pokemon‘s oldest and arguably debunked myths dating back to the franchise’s first generation. As the Pokemon series approaches its thirtieth anniversary since the release of its Gen 1 games, the fascination with this early generation has led to various new discoveries and fan theories over the years. But after nearly three decades, Game Freak may have used Dragonite’s ties to one of these theories as a chance to prove it wrong once and for all.
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Pokemon Legends: Z-A May Have Just Teased an Unexpected Mega Evolution
The latest Pokemon Legends: Z-A trailer might have hidden a new reveal right under fans’ noses, leaving it teased just underneath other announcements.
Mega Dragonite Disproves Pokemon’s Oldest Swapped Evolution Myth
Breaking Down Pokemon’s Gen 1 Swapped Evolution Myth
Besides Legends: Z-A‘s recent rumors and leaks, leaked beta designs have provided insight into how Game Freak creates, improves, and reworks Pokemon between games, such as changes to the design of Gen 1’s Blastoise or reviving Gen 2’s beta Water-type starter Pokemon for Gen 7. However, alongside other factors, like shared designs and Pokedex sequences, this approach has potentially led to the theory that some Gen 1 Pokemon evolutions were swapped or scrapped. For example, this theory suggests that Butterfree and Venomoth were switched, pointing out the design similarities between the two Pokemon line, such as their eyes, hands, and feet.
How Dragonite Fits Into Pokemon’s Gen 1 Swapped Evolution Myth
Ultimately, though this theory has been summarily debunked, it hasn’t stopped fans from seeing its merit. Some may accept it in their own Pokemon headcanon, despite recognizing it is almost certainly wrong, as it fits into a growing pattern of Pokemon counterparts and connections, such as Marowak and Kangaskhan, Ditto as a failed Mew clone, or Genesect as a cyborg Kabutops. Dragonite is one such Pokemon that may have been swapped, as its design is a stark contrast to the blue, serpentine designs of Dratini and Dragonair, instead resembling the likes of Charmander or even Magikarp.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Brings the Dratini Line Back Together with Mega Dragonite
Though the hate toward Mega Dragonite’s reveal has prompted fans to redesign its new evolution, Game Freak explicitly stated that the Pokemon’s Mega Evolved form was a direct callback to Dragonair, such as the return of its pearls and wings. While the new Mega Evolution doesn’t appear to be as ambitious as other Mega pseudo-Legendary Pokemon, like Tyranitar, Metagross, or Salamence, it is arguably just as creative as Charizard Y’s or Venusaur Mega forms. Between this and the initial comments about Mega Dragonite’s design, it seems that Game Freak has used Legends: Z-A and the return of Mega Evolutions as an opportunity to reunite the Dratini line.
Mega Dragonair Joins Mega Charizard X and Y in Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Regardless of how unlikely it was that Dragonite was swapped as Gen 1’s final Fire-type starter Pokemon, the appearance of the Gen 1 pseudo-Legendary, Charizard, and their respective Mega Evolutions in Legends: Z-A is another piece of evidence debunking this myth. Just as Mega Charizard’s X and Y forms reflected both its draconic inspiration and its Charmander origins, the introduction of Mega Dragonite could be a like-minded bridge between it and Dragonair. With the high likelihood of even more new Mega Evolutions set to debut in Legends: Z-A, it remains to be seen if Game Freak has taken this approach with any other Pokemon.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A
- Released
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October 16, 2025
- Franchise
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Pokemon
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
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October 16, 2025
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
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October 16, 2025
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