It seems like the nerds up in the GF offices agree too, because a lot of the new Dynamax Pokémon in SWSH are just glorified Megas. We’ve all been screaming at Pokémon’s various socials to bring back mega evolutions, so let’s hope that our groans are being heard. But really, I’m hoping that a little birdy at Game Freak sees ranking here of some awesome Pokémon that deserve mega evolutions, and maybe they’ll take up one of my ideas.
20. Excadrill
Excadrill might just be the most popular Pokémon to come out of Gen V. It’s still used competitively to this day, so there’s no reason not to give it a mega evolution in the future. My argument here isn’t just on account of keeping Excadrill competitive, though. The mole is only two feet tall. You just know that it has some serious Napoleon Complex-like issues going on, so give the little guy a leg up. Literally.
19. Chandelure
A lot of my picks for this list are based solely on what the designers over at Game Freak could actually do with the mega evolution. Chandelure is the first example of that. The Chandelure line goes from candle to lamp to chandelier. That’s a natural progression that could be carried into the mega evolution. How you would go about carrying that, I have no idea. You could make it a lighthouse or something, I don’t know, but I do know that it would be awesome.
18. Corviknight
There aren’t many Gen VIII Pokémon that deserve mega evolutions in my eyes. But Corviknight is an exception to that rule. It’s steel and flying, like Skarmory, but it looks way cooler. I mean, I get that the whole theme of SWSH was royalty and knighthood and all that… but the designers didn’t need to go that hard with Corviknight. It’s one of the best-looking flying Pokémon, period. So if we’re going to be bringing mega evolutions back, please keep my Corvo relevant (I named my Corviknight after Corvo from Dishonored).
17. Haxorus
If any type should be getting more mega-evolutions, it’s dragon types. They’re already the most powerful Pokémon in the series. So why not push each of them over the edge? They already gave Garchomp a mega, and look at how that turned out. There are going to be a few dragons on this list. But Haxorus is coming in at the back of the line. There’s no reason for this other than I prefer its cooler and edgier cousin….
16. Hydreigon
Hydreigon is better than Haxorus. I don’t care who you are or what you’ve done. You could be WolfeyVGC for all I care, and I would still argue this point. Not even from a stats-based perspective, but in terms of design. While you could do something cool with Haxorus’s mega evolution, imagine the possibilities with Hydreigon. It’s already based on a Hydra. So just give it more heads and call it a day.
15. Dragapult
Dragapult is my favorite dragon type of all time. And no, that’s not only because I happen to have a shiny one. It’s a goddamn stealth bomber that fires its own kids as missiles. What’s not to love about that? If we’re talking about mega evolutions, I don’t think I need to really explain myself with this one. Like Hydreigon, Dragapult is already based on something, so take that design and turn it up to eleven.
14. Blissey
Blissey wasn’t in X and Y, but I have no doubt that it would have had a mega evolution if it was. The Pokémon that were graced with an extra evolution often had a tendency to already be quite powerful, like Blaziken and Tyranitar, so Blissey would have felt right at home with the group. It’s one of the bulkiest Pokémon of all time, too. With a base HP stat of 255. It’s a big bulky egg, so make it bigger, bulkier, and eggier.
13. Ninetales
Ninetales doesn’t get the respect it deserves. It’s an OG Pokémon, based on one of my favorite legends, and it has the Pokémon lore to back those legends up. It’s possibly the best example of how sometimes, all you need is a solid and simple design to create a fantastic Pokémon. There’s no need for this Gen V snowcone nonsense. With that being said, Ninetales is based on a Kitsune. So make its mega evolution even close to that original design. There’s a lot of room for Game Freak to get creative here, so I’ll genuinely be disappointed if this doesn’t come to fruition.
12. Skarmory
Skarmory might not be as cool as Corviknight. But it is a stronger Pokémon. Granted it’s not much stronger, but it does have the legacy that Corviknight doesn’t. Skarmory has been around the competitive scene since its release in Gen II. In all those years, it’s never gotten an evolution or a pre-evolution. It’s going to get a mega if they ever come back, and that’s a prediction that I’m willing to bet on. It’s possibly the most natural candidate for a mega evolution on this entire list. Because it’s single staged, and it already sees competitive play. Remember me saying this: “if we ever get mega evolutions again, Skarmory is going to be one of them.”
11. Dragalge
This beautiful Pokémon is the biggest sleeper hit of the entire series. It’s such an incredible design that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. So I’m hoping that a mega evolution can change that. Again, it’s already based on something in real life. So just make that idea bigger. I’m not putting Dragalge here just for its potential as a mega, but moreso for my desire to see it get a bit of a spotlight for once.
10. Dhelmise
I’m putting Dhelmise here exclusively for its potential as a mega. Hear me out, okay? It might sound ridiculous, and it is, but make Dhelmise’s mega evolution a full-ass pirate ship. I mean, it’s already an anchor and a wheel. So the mega sort of designs itself. I have no idea how you would write a Pokémon like this into the lore… but I honestly don’t care too much. It’s just too incredible of an idea to skip over.
9. Palossand
It’s a sandcastle. So make it a sand fortress. Just imagine it: you’re in battle, fighting this four-foot-tall sentient pile of sand, when all of a sudden it transforms into a literal living fortress. Pokémon aren’t going to be battling, so much as laying siege to the thing. Out of all the crazy designs that Game Freak could pull out of the hat with more mega-evolutions, this is the one I want to see the most. I don’t care how much of a puritan you are; you can’t deny that a fortress Pokémon would be awesome.
8. Sandslash
Sandslash is my favorite Gen I ‘mon. So naturally, I’m going to argue for it getting a mega evolution at some point in the future. I don’t have any insane ideas or arguments for this entry. But I don’t think I need to have one. If you’ve been playing Pokémon for a few generations, then I’m going to assume you can understand why I would want one of the OGs like this to get a mega, even more than Ninetales. If you do want an idea for what that could look like, remember that Sandslash is a hedgehog. So take from that what you will.
7. Roserade
Sandslash might be my favorite of the original 151, but Roserade is my favorite grass type from any generation. Again, I would hope that I don’t have to justify that position, but for those of you with no taste: Roserade is a literal ninja. You could do a million different things with its mega. I, for one, relish at the thought of giving it a samurai-inspired mega evolution. Even if that doesn’t make much sense. Roserade is one of the coolest Pokémon ever designed, so I would love to see what the team could do with another entry into its genetic family.
6. Raichu
It would be an insult for mega evolutions to make a comeback and not give Pikachu or Raichu one. I don’t know why they didn’t give the family one in X and Y. But let’s hope they fix that mistake whenever they decide to bring the mechanic back. I mean, Pikachu and Raichu are the Pokémon. As in, the literal mascots. So why on earth would you not give them a mega?
5. Empoleon
These next three Pokémon are all here for the same reason, so I’m guessing you can predict what species they are. I’m obviously referring to the Gen IV starters, and with the DP remakes, now’s as good a time as any to talk about them. The Sinnoh starters are possibly the most solid trio out of any generation. Although that might just be my Gen IV bias showing. Either way, I don’t think there are many people out there that would argue Empoleon isn’t the weakest of the bunch. I mean, it’s the best HM slave in Gen IV, and that’s with Bidoof roaming in the background. So it’s not like Empoleon was ever set up for success in the first place. Regardless, there’s no denying that if we were to give any region’s starters the mega treatment, it should be Sinnoh.
4. Torterra
Torterra has to be my favorite of the Gen IV starters. But I get why people prefer Infernape. However, I think Torterra has the most potential out of all three of them when it comes to its mega evolution. Torterra has a tree growing on its back, so make the Torterra and the tree bigger. That’s all you need to do to make Torterra a fantastic mega, in my eyes.
3. Infernape
Ah yes, dollar-store Blaziken. I’m joking (sort of), but you have to face the fact that Blaziken got a mega and Infernape didn’t. Better late than never, though. In terms of what designs the team could come up with, I haven’t really got anything too inspired in mind. They could always go with something gorilla-inspired, but I feel like that would take away from the whole athletic feel that the Chimchar line is going for. But no matter what Game Freak does, a mega evolution for Infernape is going to be welcomed by fans. It’s one of the most popular starters of all time. So just watch everyone lose their marbles if this ever gets announced.
2. Aegislash
Make it a broadsword. Seriously, just a massive broadsword. Or make it a massive shield. Either way, I’m happy. Being serious for a second, how cool would it be for Aegislash to have different mega evolutions based on what form it was in? As I said, it could be a massive claymore sword, or some kind of Viking shield, which would be absolutely awesome. This could be a chance for Game Freak to do something unique, too, which is something I always appreciate.
1. Malamar
Okay, I have this thing of trying to lobby Game Freak to make a Kraken Pokémon. While I’m holding out hope that we get a Kraken legendary as a part of the next gen games, I would settle for giving Malamar a mega evolution that does that job instead. I mean, the design is pretty goddamn obvious. It’s already a scary-looking psychic squid. So turn it into a regular old Kraken. There’s no need for frills or thrills. Just keep it simple and I’ll be happy. As I’ve said, though, I’m praying to Arceus that we get a Kraken as a legendary. So I wouldn’t be too upset to not see a Malamar mega evolution. Even though it absolutely deserves one.
