Game Freak’s Nintendo Switch titlesPokemon SwordandShieldhave been historic for a number of reasons. They are the first mainlinePokemongames to be released on a non-handheld console, and they are the first games in the series to offer new story through post-launch DLC. These are just a few of the reasons whySwordandShieldrecently hit an impressive sales milestone, shipping 18.22 million units to become the third best-sellingPokemongames ever. However, they have also been infamous entries in the series thanks to a number of controversies prior to release.
Arguably the biggest controversy was “Dexit,” in which fans bristled against the idea that not every monster in the National Pokedex would be accessible. Game Freak has mitigated this concern byreintroducing Pokemon in the Isle of Armor DLC, with more planned for the upcoming Crown Tundra expansion. Yet, another concern not addressed inSwordandShieldis the removal of Mega Evolutions — a fan-favorite mechanic fromPokemon XandYthat allowed certain Pokemon to temporarily change form and gain power. Its removal becomes stranger in hindsight, given Mega Evolution is continuing to appear in spin-off titles likePokemon GO.
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This new mechanic for the AR mobile game was announced during the Pokemon Presents stream in June, but developer Niantic has not talked extensively about what it will entail. More concrete information aboutPokemon GO’s Mega Evolution has been leaked by dataminers, such as Pokemon requiring a certain amount of “Mega Energy” based on their friendship level with trainers to activate an evolution that lasts two hours. There will also purportedly be events surrounding Mega Evolution, such as Special Research Tasks and Raid battles to collect Mega Energy.
While the potential mechanics surrounding Mega Evolution inPokemon GOwill be specific to that game’s unique systems, the excitement stoked by its inclusion overall is indicative of how it would look if Megas were added intoSwordandShield. The special forms being removed in those titles has been an exception for Generation 8, not the rule. Mega Evolutions have appeared inPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, the remake of a title released beforePokemon XandY;and trainers with Mega-capable partners continue to be released in DeNA’s mobile gamePokemon Masters.
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A major focus ofPokemon SwordandShieldis the spectacle of battling, with a Pokemon League themed after professional sports with stadiums that facilitatecrazy Gigantamax Pokemon. Adding Mega Evolutions as powerful forms for monsters that (mostly) do not have Gigantamax forms could fit well into this theming through David and Goliath-type encounters. However, it could be argued that Mega Evolutions were removed initially because they might breakSwordandShield’s competitive scene, given their power came to define battles in Generations 6 and 7.
There’s an easy answer to this problem: Split up which official competitive events would allow for Mega Evolutions and Gigantamax forms to be used. Venusaur, Blastoise, and Charizard would have both Megas and Gigantamax forms, but this could be governed at a mechanical level by making it so anything holding a Mega Stone cannot also utilize Dynamax Power Spots. As unlikely as it seems for Game Freak to add Mega Pokemon back in, the Isle of Armor DLC did re-introduce smaller mechanics like resetting a Pokemon’s EV stats, so it is within the realm of possibility. Even if it does not happen,Pokemondevelopers have asked for fan input on future games, so Mega Evolution could still make a comeback outside spin-offs likePokemon GO.
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