Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design.
Pokémon is the largest franchise in the world, bringing in fans because of its video games, trading card game, anime, movies, and merchandise. But no matter what fans prefer, they understand that evolution is a key aspect ingrained in every element.
However, Pokémon took things up a notch by introducing Mega Evolution in Generation VI, set in the Kalos region. Mega Evolution allows certain Pokémon to get an upgraded design and stat boost for one battle. It has become a fan-favorite gimmick — probably the most popular in the franchise — and it's coming back with the upcoming Pokémon Legends: ZA. With this game soon approaching, now is the perfect time for this list to rank the best mega evolutions in Pokémon based on fan opinion, popularity, stats, design, and overall quality. 10 Mega Garchomp Most of the pseudo-legendary Pokémon have Mega Evolutions, and just making this list is one of the coolest ones: Mega Garchomp. This classic Pokémon is a fan-favorite and the ace of Cynthia, the strongest Champion in Pokémon, which she used to railroad players and their teams. However, Garchomp got an updated design and a new set of stats with its Mega. Mega Garchomp is an interesting Pokémon to rank because its design and stats are polar opposites. It boasts one of the coolest designs, which fans agree is among the best; however, its stats aren't particularly impressive, even with the boosted benefits of Megas. Alas, Mega Garchomp is outperformed by Garchomp competitively. However, its epic design is enough to make this list. 9 Mega Mewtwo X and Y Only a few legendary Pokémon have a Mega Evolution, and the first one to get such a form is none other than the iconic Mewtwo. Engineered by one of the best evil teams in Pokémon, Mewtwo has become a staple in the franchise that always gets love, including two mega evolution forms based on the game fans chose. It may be cheating to include two mega evolutions in one entry, but considering how they're both for the same Pokémon, Mewtwo gets a pass. Its X form isn't anything special , but fans love its Y design with the elongated head, making it more alien-like. Mega Mewtwo Y's stats are pretty good, but he makes this list because of his design and fan love. 8 Mega Charizard X and Y If I had a nickel for every Kanto Pokémon with multiple Mega Evolutions, I would have two nickels, which isn't much, but it's wild that it happened twice. Charizard is the second iconic Pokémon with two Mega Evolutions based on the game players chose. This starting Pokémon always gets love from Game Freak, so it's no shock that it got a mega evolution. As one of the best starter Pokémon ever, Charizard's Mega Evolutions fit its popularity, boasting two popular designs. Its X form, by far the superior one, turns him into a black and blue dragon similar to his shiny form and finally makes it a Dragon-type, much to millions of fans' joy. Meanwhile, the Y design is sleeker and more unique. Either way, Charizard has not one, but two incredible Mega Evolutions. 7 Mega Kangaskhan Fans may be getting tired of seeing multiple Kanto Mega Evolutions in a row, but the train isn't stopping, as fans can expect many more on this list. Kangaskhan is an underrated Pokémon from Generation One that got some love with a new Mega. It's nice to see other Pokémon besides the big names get Megas, because then fans get something like Mega Kangaskhan. The design is fairly simple but incredibly inspired, with the baby Kangaskhan now out of its mother's pouch and fighting alongside her. This wholesome and fun design also boasts some solid statistics, including possibly the most broken ability in all of Pokémon, Parental Bond, making it a remarkable Mega. 6 Mega Beedrill Yet another Kanto Pokémon makes this list, this time being Beedrill, the forgotten early route bug Pokémon that rarely makes the final roster. Beedrill is an intimidating bug with an iconic design, but it isn't the most useful, that is, until Game Freak gave it a Mega Evolution. Mega Beedrill isn't too impressive: its stats are okay, but it has a new intimidating design that revamped opinions towards it. The best part about this Mega Evolution is that it brought interest back to an early route Pokémon, reinvigorating its interest and usability. Everyone had a Weedle on their team at some point, but they usually got rid of it before it became Beedrill; that was sure to change after this Mega Evolution. 5 Mega Swampert After a long wait, fans can finally read about a Mega Evolution that isn't from Kanto, as Swampert is proudly Hoenn. Every Generation III starter got a mega evolution in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, and while Mega Blaziken and Mega Sceptile are incredible, Mega Swampert is arguably the best out of the bunch. Some say its design is worse than its fellow starters, but many fans like the overly bulky approach, especially since it mirrors its stats. Mega Swampert is a beast, with magnificent defence and attack stats, which, together with its already impressive type combo, makes it such a competitive threat. Overall, no one wants to look across them to see they're battling a mega Swampert, one of the best Water-type starter Pokémon. 4 Mega Banette While there is another remarkable Mega Ghost-type, Banette is a Pokémon that many fans didn't think was going to be blessed with one. This puppet-like ghost isn't the most popular, but it does stand out as the best Ghost-type in Hoenn, with maybe that being the reason why it got a Mega Evolution. Mega Banette is statically solid, but it makes this list purely because of its design. There isn't a Mega Evolution that reimagined a Pokémon better than Mega Banette, boasting a creepy stitch pattern with countless tongues coming out of its hands. This Mega Evolution brought Banette back into the limelight with its outstanding design and aesthetic. 3 Mega Salamence When most of the pseudo-legendary creatures got mega evolutions, fans found it weird that Dragonite didn't get one. But over a decade later, it will finally get its time in Legends ZA. However, will it be better than Mega Salamance? Salamance naturally got a Mega Evolution as one of the pseudo-legendary Pokémon in Hoenn. While many fans teasingly call Mega Salamance the croissant dragon, they do so endearingly, as a lot of players like its design. However, it makes this list because of its stats, particularly its speed and attack, which are so high that it became one of the strongest Pokémon ever. Banned from competition, Mega Salamance is a threat that is too overpowered, even for the pros. 2 Mega Gengar Banette may be the best-looking Ghost Mega Evolution, but no Ghost-type is as iconic as the OG from Generation I: Gengar. Kanto was the focus for Megas in X and Y, so it was obvious that the only ghost from that region would be receiving one, but Game Freak went all out with Gengar. Mega Gengar is an improvement on Gengar in almost every way, from its new shiny variant, which is a dazzling white, to its upgraded stats and a nice, spiky new design that enhances the Pokémon's trickster qualities. While its design and shiny form are incredible, the best part is its competitive value, which made it one of the best strategic Pokémon with Nasty Plot. 1 Mega Rayquaza There are a lot of great Mega Evolutions, and Legends ZA is only going to increase that number, with hopefully legendary Pokémon such as Yveltal, Xerneas, and Zygarde getting new forms. However, no matter what new legendary gets a Mega form, it will never be as good as Mega Rayquaza. Rayquaza was the box legendary for Emerald, one of the best Pokémon games, with one of the best legendaries, and in the post-game of ORAS, it got a timeless Mega Evolution. Game Freak broke the competitive scene with one move, making Mega Rayquaza so overpowered. From its ability to hold an item such as a Life Orb to its overwhelming attack stats to its busted ability, Mega Rayquaza feels like a glitch because it's so good. However, Mega Rayquaza is more than just its boosted stats; it also features a beloved new badass design that easily makes it the best Mega Evolution in Pokémon. Cast Rica Matsumoto, Ikue Otani, Shin-ichiro Miki, Megumi Hayashibara, Inuko Inuyama, Unsho Ishizuka, Yuji Ueda, Mayumi Izuka, Daiki Yamashita, Kenyu Horiuchi, Mayuki Makiguchi, KAORI, Yuko Kobayashi, Mamoru Miyano, Yuki Kaji, Mika Kanai, Aoi Yuki, Megumi Toyoguchi, Satomi Korogi, Fumiko Takekuma, Reina Ueda, Hitomi Kikuchi, Kaito Ishikawa, Keiichi Nakagawa Seasons 25 Powered by Expand Collapse
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