Mega Evolutions are making a big return in the Pokémon franchise, which makes it the perfect time for us to create our list of the very best of them.
With a Mega Evolutions TCG set on the horizon, alongside featuring back in mainline games in Pokémon Legends: Z-A later this year, popularity for the Pokémon forms is rising—as shown by the surge in interest in Elite Trainer Boxes for the new set.
Ahead of the revival, we’ve ranked the best Mega Evolutions from across Pokémon history, based on their strength and overall design.
Best Pokémon Mega Evolutions Ranked
8. Mega Gengar
With high Speed, Special Defense, and Special Attack, Mega Gengar is extremely powerful, but the best part about this form of the Kanto favorite is the design. While Gengar also received a Gigantamax, Mega Gengar is the best-looking of the two forms.
Huge arms on either side make it look like a powerful cannon, while the gold circle above the eyes teases the psychic power of this Ghost and Poison-Type.
7. Mega Houndoom
A fan-favorite from the Johto region, Mega Houndoom benefits from significantly improved Defense, one of the biggest weaknesses of its standard form, alongside a handy boost to Speed and Special Attack. With a mix of Fire and Dark moves, Mega Houndoom is an ideal addition to any team.
Design-wise, Houndoom looks even more menacing with its horns increasing in size, along with the addition of breastplate armor. It has an almost medieval look to it, in some ways, and is one of the most eye-catching Mega Evolutions in the entire series.
6. Mega Kangaskhan
Kangaskhan is one of the Kanto OGs, but has often been overlooked, though the introduction of Mega Kangaskhan certainly changed that. The Parental Bond Ability allows Mega Kangahskan to attack twice, the second strike doing 25 per cent of its usual damage, makes it the perfect tool.
The downside, unfortunately, is a fairly lazy design, as the only real change is that the baby in the pouch now jumps out to join the attack. Sadly, this could have been a lot better, and the Mega is carried by its Ability.
5. Mega Gyarados
Another fan-favorite from the original 151, Mega Gyarados benefits from a significant boost to its Attack stat and a strong movepool, though the switch to a Water and Dark-Type does open the doors to a wealth of weaknesses, with Fighting, Fairy, Electric, Grass, and Bug among those that can cause it problems.
In terms of design, Mega Gyarados is given a prehistoric look with huge frills on either side of its face, making it resemble a Dilophosaurus and appearing even fiercer.
4. Mega Charizard X
Charizard has two Mega Evolution forms, because of course it does, but Mega Charizard X is the stronger of the two. A boost to Special Attack, Attack, and Defense stats is nice, but the biggest benefit of the Mega Evolution comes from an expanded movepool with Mega Charizard X replacing the dual Flying-type with Dragon.
The design switches Charizard’s color scheme to black and blue, the former replicating the extremely popular Shiny variant of Charizard, and the blue flames accent the design nicely.
3. Mega Garchomp
Boasting one of the highest Attack stats in franchise history, Mega Garchomp is a fan-favorite due to its partnership with Cynthia, and has access to a strong movepool that includes the likes of Earthquake and Outrage. This allows for plenty of versatility, giving you the ability to tweak things to an approach that works for you.
The stand-out from Mega Garchomp’s design is both arms becoming huge scythes, showing you don’t want to cross with this dragon, and a bulkier look overall. It results in an extremely menacing appearance and one that is undoubtably one of the best across all aspects.
2. Mega Mewtwo Y
Mega Mewtwo Y may have one of the weirder designs for Mega Evolutions, with a giant forehead that turns into long hair and what appears to be a headphone band over its head, but I certainly wouldn’t criticize it if I game face-to-face with the legendary Pokémon.
Mewtwo has two Mega Evolution forms, though Y is the best, and has decently balanced stats. The highlight, however, is an extremely high Special Attack stat, allowing it to sweep the floor with opponents, though it can also utilize high Attack and Speeds stats too.
1. Mega Rayquaza
Mega Rayquaza, like Mega Kangashkan, shines due to a strong Ability. When Mega Evolved, Mega Rayquaza has the Delta Stream ability, creating the Strong Winds weather condition that eliminates its Flying-type weaknesses, and, unlike other Megas, can still hold items.
The design isn’t the most game-changing of them all, but it increases Rayquaza’s appeal significantly with a terrorizing look that will strike fear into any opposing Pokémon.
What’s your favorite Mega Evolution in the Pokémon series? Which Pokémon do you want to receive a Mega Evolution in Legends: Z-A? Let us know in the Insider Gaming forum.
For more Pokémon, check out the details of an overhaul to the trade feature in Pokémon TCG Pocket, and learn how to catch Tatsugiri in Pokémon Go.
