Pokémon Legends: Z-A Unveils Mega Evolutions and DLC Details in Latest Nintendo Direct

In a packed September 2025 Nintendo Direct, The Pokémon Company and Game Freak unveiled a host of exciting updates for the upcoming RPG Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Scheduled for release on October 16th, 2025, for both Nintendo Switch and the highly anticipated Switch 2, this ambitious installment reimagines the Kalos region and delivers a wave of new Mega Evolutions, cementing its place as one of the most talked-about entries in the Pokémon franchise’s modern era. The headlines were stolen by the confirmation that the Kalos starter trio—Chesnaught, Delphox, and Greninja—will finally receive their own Mega Evolutions.

Although fans have waited more than a decade for this long-requested feature, the designs bring a refreshing energy: Mega Chesnaught sports a majestic cape and dual shield-like adornments, Mega Delphox transforms fully into an arcane witch complete with broom and swirling embers, and Mega Greninja brandishes an enormous Water Shuriken.

This long-awaited update marks a significant milestone for both veteran players and recent fans of the series. The Nintendo Direct also confirmed an ambitious paid expansion: the Mega Dimension DLC, which will introduce the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa and unlock new regions including Hyperspace Lumiose.

Notably, Mega Raichu will be featured in two distinct forms—Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y—each exclusive to the Mega Dimension content.

These forms echo the split evolution mechanic previously introduced for Mewtwo in Pokémon X and Y, with Mega Raichu X emphasizing physical prowess and Mega Raichu Y focusing on special attacks.

These new Mega Evolutions were not detailed in earlier leaks, making their announcement an unexpected highlight for the community. In addition to the new Pokémon forms, the Mega Dimension DLC will reward players with exclusive apparel items—Holo-X and Holo-Y—available at launch.

The narrative-driven content of the expansion is set to go live on February 28th, 2026, offering ongoing engagement for dedicated fans. Game Freak has confirmed that players can obtain the Mega Stones for Chesnaught, Delphox, and Greninja by participating in Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s online Ranked Battles via the new Z-A Battle Club.

Greninja’s Mega Stone will be available at the base game’s launch, while Delphox’s and Chesnaught’s stones will be distributed as rewards for Ranked Battle Seasons 2 and 3, respectively.

Details about subsequent Ranked Battle rewards will be revealed in the future.

At present, these online competitions are the exclusive method for acquiring these crucial items, further encouraging participation in Z-A’s multiplayer ecosystem. Another important feature is Pokémon HOME compatibility, which enables transfers of Pokémon into and out of Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Players should note, however, that Pokémon obtained in Z-A cannot be sent to previous games, and once a Pokémon from an earlier title is transferred into Z-A, it cannot be sent back.

Nevertheless, there will be connectivity with Pokémon Champions, providing avenues for broader collection and battling. This Nintendo Direct also gave updates beyond the Pokémon universe, with announcements such as Hades II arriving on September 25th for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, Resident Evil Requiem heading to Switch 2 with Resident Evil 7 and Village ports, and the much-awaited Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream slated for Spring 2026. Pokémon Legends: Z-A is shaping up to be an essential experience for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 owners, setting new standards for online play, competitive features, and post-launch content.

Stay tuned for more official updates and strategies as the release date approaches.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pokémon Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Direct Switch 2 Switch Pokémon Legends: Z-A DLC Kalos Mega Evolutions Z Mega Dimension Pokémon Legends Z-A Game Freak Mega Chesnaught Mega Delphox Greninja Raichu X Raichu Y Hoopa Hyperspace Lumiose Pokémon HOME Z-A Battle Club Pokémon Champions Pokémon Legends