Nearly 12 years after their Nintendo 3DS debut, Mega Evolutions will finally return to thePokemonuniverse in the upcomingPokemon Legends: Z-A. After being absent fromPokemon Sword,Shield,Scarlet,Violet, andLegends: Arceus, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 players will at long last be able to utilize the full power of Mega Evolution beyond the Kanto Megas seen inPokemon Let’s Go, Eevee!andPikachu!. Over the course ofPokemon Legends: Z-A’s marketing, nearly every Mega Evolved Pokemon introduced in the Gen 6 games has been shown playable, with rumors of 27 new Mega Evolutions to appear in the game. However, there’s one set of Mega and Primal transformed creatures whose status inLegends: Z-Aremains unknown: the legendary Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza.
Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza’s Mega and Primal Forms Explained
When Mega Evolution was first introduced in 2013, only one legendary Pokemon was able to Mega Evolve:Mewtwo into Mega Mewtwo X and Y. Mega Evolution would receive a major expansion in 2014’sPokemon Omega RubyandAlpha Sapphire. Remakes of the 2002 Game Boy Advance gamesPokémon RubyandSapphire,Omega RubyandAlpha Sapphire,introduced 18 new Mega Evolutions on top of the 30 introduced inX and Y. For many players, one of the most intriguing Mega Evolutions introduced inOmega RubyandAlpha Sapphire’s post-game Delta Episode was Mega Rayquaza.
In the Delta Episode, players are tasked with capturing Rayquaza and riding it to destroy an incoming meteor threatening to destroy the world. As Rayquaza flies through the Earth’s stratosphere, the Sky High Pokemon can Mega Evolve without a Mega Stone by consuming small meteorites. Once Mega Evolved, Rayaquaza becomes one of the strongest Pokémon on the planet, being able to force Groudon and Kyogre into submission, easily slice through the Grand Meteor Delta, and defeat the alien DNA Pokemon Deoxys. According to Hoenn Draconid Lorekeepers,Rayquaza is said to be the first Pokemon to achieve Mega Evolution, presumably to undo the cataclysmic primal forms of Groudon and Kyogre.
The Destructive Nature of Primal Groudon and Kyogre
While Rayquaza received a new Mega Evolution inOmega RubyandAlpha Sapphire, the Continent Pokemon Groudon and the Sea Basin Pokemon Kyogre received entirely new Primal Reversion forms. According to the Draconid Lorekeeper Zinnia,Groudon and Kyogre first reverted into their Primal formsthousands of years ago by absorbing large amounts of natural energy, enhancing their raw elemental powers. Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre fought each other for the other’s energy and nearly destroyed the world, only to be stopped by Mega Rayquaza. Team Magma and Team Aqua later use the Red Orb and Blue Orb and the natural energy found in the Cave of Origin to reawaken and revert the ancient Pokémon to their primal forms, only for the Pokemon to be defeated by Brendan and May.
The Potential of Mega Rayquaza, Primal Groudon, and Primal Kyogre in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Mega Rayquaza, Primal Groudon, and Primal Kyogre all return inPokemon Sun,Moon,Ultra Sun,andUltra Moon, with players able to transfer them fromOmega RubyandAlpha Sapphire,or they can be caught in Ultra Wormholes by riding on either the legendary Pokémon Solgaleo or Lunala. Since 2017, the Mega and Primal forms of Hoenn’s legendary trio have not returned in any subsequent mainline Pokémon game. With seemingly every other Mega Evolution returning inPokemon Legends: Z-A, however, Game Freak should strive to includeMega Rayquaza, Primal Groudon, and Primal Kyogre inZ-Ain some form or at the very least address their absence.
With the legendary Pokemon Zygarde expected to play a major role inPokémon Legends: Z-A, Game Freak could have Zygarde confront an enraged Mega Rayquaza, Primal Groudon, and Primal Kyogre, potentially unleashed by a new maniacal human antagonist in Lumiose City. The Order Pokemon is said to monitor and suppress those who endanger the ecosystem, playing a similar role to Hoenn’s legendary trio, soZygarde could possibly defeat Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogrein its titanic 100% form.
Alternatively, Game Freak could hide Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre encounters deep underground and atop Prism Tower untilZ-A’s post-game. If Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre don’t appear inZ-A, a book orcharacter such as AZshould at least reference their ancient cataclysmic battles, with AZ being possibly old enough to have seen their primal conflict.
Besides the mainline Generation 6 and 7Pokemongames, Mega Rayquaza, Primal Groudon, andPrimal Kyogre can all be encountered inPokemon GO,Pokemon Masters EX,Pokemon Shuffle, andPokemon Super Mystery Dungeon.
