Do These Pokemon Have Mega Evolutions?
- by Joshua Olivieri
- – on
- in Movies and TV
As the Pokemon series has grown and expanded, Game Freak has put in little mechanics to make it feel unique and fresh with each iteration. Arguably one of the biggest changes for the series was in Gen VI when Pokemon X and Y were released. On top of some new Pokemon, they introduced a mechanic known as Mega Evolution.
By equipping your trainer with a Mega Ring and your Pokemon with its respective Mega Stone, you can temporarily change them into beefed up versions of themselves. These transformations are usually coupled with a stat increase, cosmetic overhaul, and sometimes even a type addition.
However, not all Pokemon were given the opportunity to Mega Evolve. Because it takes separate designs, stones, etc, Game Freak thought it best to only allow certain Pokemon to do this. This makes it difficult to remember which ones can Mega Evolve and which ones cannot. That said, we know you fans of the series have this quiz in the bag.
Do these Pokemon have Mega Evolutions?
Giratina
Introduced in Gen IV, Giratina was the legendary Pokemon who eventually became the focal point of Pokemon Platinum. As it stands, Giratina was once able to roam the Earth, but after causing so much destruction was sentenced to its own dimension known as the Distortion World. Still, there are ways to interact with this beast from another world. You might end up losing your life in the process, but there are those who have managed to stare into its eyes and live.
Shuckle
At first glance, you'd never guess that Shuckle is a Bug and Rock type Pokemon. There have been strangely typed creatures, before, so we'll let it slide. Shuckle was introduced in Gen II and was a new take on the turtle Pokemon (the previous ones only being Water type). While it may not look like much, Shuckle has the potential to deal the most amount of damage in the entire Pokemon video game series. It takes extremely specific conditions, but it's still scary to think about.
Lugia
The people of the Johto Region tell many stories about ancient times, and many of them involve Pokemon. One such story is about the legendary Pokemon Lugia. It is said to be the counterpart of Ho-Oh and guards the seas. It also has a direct connection to the legendary birds of Kanto: Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno. Lugia can not only manipulate the waters as it sees fit, but also utilize the winds to their full potential. It received a massive spotlight in Pokemon 2000.
Pinsir
Pinsir was one of the original 151 Pokemon. A Bug and Grass type, it wasn't a popular choice among trainers, due to the 4x weakness to both Fire and Flying. However, Pinsir's design as a Bug type remains one of the very best to this day. Having large pincers on its head gives it impressive moves like Guillotine and its stats aren't the worst to ever be put into the series. In the anime, it was much stronger and nearly chopped Ash's Metapod in half.
Beedrill
There are few Pokemon more feared in the Kanto Region than Beedrill. These fairly common insects are known to be territorial and easily agitated. Part of the problem comes from the fact that they're armed with massive stingers and two drills for their upper legs. Adding more fuel to the fire is the fact that these bees attack in swarms, and their size and strength lead to many people getting severely injured. Training a Beedrill is a hard task that not many are up to.
Groudon
One of the most powerful Pokemon on the planet, Groudon is a force to be reckoned with. Due to its immense battles with the beast known as Kyogre, Groudon inadvertently formed the land that everyone in the Pokemon universe walks on. After calmed by Rayquaza, it was sentenced to an ancient slumber before being reawakened by the villainous Team Magma. Groudon has since been extremely viable in the metagame, boasting many useful attacks and high power to sweep an enemy's team.
Banette
Banette was one of the big Ghost type Pokemon introduced in Gen III alongside Duskull and Dusclops. From the get-go, it's clear that Banette was inspired by a marionette doll, and that only makes it creepier in the long run. Unfortunately, as the series progressed, Dusclops received another evolution and Banette was left in the dust. While he can learn some interesting moves, his battle potential isn't very great due to how much the series has evolved. Still, he remains my favorite Ghost Pokemon to this day.
Decidueye
Introduced in the new Pokemon Sun and Moon, Decidueye is the grass starter for the Alola Region. As the designs came out for the Pokemon, many people flocked to Decidueye because of its top notch design. Since then, Nintendo and Game Freak have noticed the popularity of the character and are even adding it to the roster of Pokken Tournament DX. It turns out that an archer bird shooting its feathers as arrows was an idea that many people were willing to get behind.
Snorlax
If there were a Pokemon to get an award for doing nothing, it would be Snorlax. This lazy giant can often be found blocking roadways or scarfing down an entire village worth of food. Despite their behavior, Snorlaxes can be extremely useful in combat. Their massive health allows them to take in a few hits. Their movepool and Normal typing also sets them up to have some good utility-based attacks. Then there's the fact that they can heal themselves with Rest.
Blissey
Many Pokemon from Gen I were given baby forms or evolutions when Gen II came out. One of them was the hospital loving Pokemon known as Chansey. In Gen II, she can evolve into a Pokemon called Blissey. Blissey is much stronger than Chansey, and has one of the highest HP counts in the game (it dominates in Pokemon GO). Blissey also has a more whimsical design that Chansey, featuring curly hair on top, and wings around its arms and waist.
Butterfree
While Beedrill tend to be dangerous, its counterpart, Butterfree, is the exact opposite. Butterfree are much more peaceful Pokemon and much easier to train. Coupling this with the fact that Caterpie is probably the first Bug Pokemon you'll find in Kanto, and you're well on your way to a capable fighter. Butterfree are equipped with a host of status moves like Sleep Powder and Stun Spore. But they can also learn moves like Confusion that give them a better edge in battle.
Steelix
Steelix was introduced in Gen II as an evolution for the rock snake known as Onix. It ditches the Rock typing and changes it with Steel, making Steelix a much more viable Pokemon. Being a bit bigger than Onix and having stronger attacks, Steelix is a hot pick for many people who favor Steel types or want a good way to get Stealth Rock onto the battlefield. Pair Steelix with a fast and heavy hitter, and you're guaranteed to win a few battles.
Audino
The big idea behind Gen V and the Unova Region was to make it so distant that trainers essentially had to go back to the basics of finding new Pokemon and prepping them for all sorts of battles. Among these changes was the fact that Audino instead of Chansey was the helper at many Pokemon Centers. Audino was originally a Normal type, but was later given the Fairy type as well when Gen VI brought it into the mix altogether.
Swampert
You'll be hard pressed to find a Water type starter that is more effective than Swampert. Where most Water Pokemon are instantly destroyed by Electric attacks, Swampert boasts a Water/Ground type, making it immune to Electric. This also gives it an access to a wide and useful movepool that can both work defensively, or as a late game sweeper. Swampert was introduced in Gen III and to this day remains one of the greatest Water type starters ever created in the series.
Gyarados
The first time you came across a Magikarp, I guarantee you laughed at how useless it was. However, those that trained it to level 20 were quickly rewarded with one of the most powerful sea monsters in Pokemon: Gyarados. This beast quickly learns powerful water and dragon type attacks to demolish the competition. However, Gyarados are some of the most temperamental Pokemon that they are extremely difficult to train and calm down. To this day, it remains a powerful Pokemon in the metagame.
Zekrom
In the skies of Unova flies a mysterious beast that has control over the storms. Its name is Zekrom, and it's a powerful monster. Being one of the legendary Pokemon of Unova, its abilities are heavily sought after by the villainous Team Plasma. The lightning it emits is so powerful that it even prevented Ash's Pikachu from using any Electric attacks. Zekrom was later given its own movie for the Pokemon anime along with Reshiram (there were two separate movies).
Houndoom
Houndoom was introduced in Gen II as one of the first Dark type Pokemon to grace the series. Being the combination of Dark and Fire, Houndoom was created to be a Hellhound of sorts, both fearsome yet lovable at the same time. However, getting close to a Houndoom may mean your death, as they aren't very nice and don't take prisoners. Your face will likely melt off your skull if you're not prepared to deal with one. Also notice the bones all over its body.
Charizard
Of all the starter Pokemon ever created, none are more classic than the fire breathing dragon itself, Charizard. This beast can shoot flames so hot that they melt right through boulders. It can utilize powerful moves to take out opponents right when they're sent out. Yet despite its appearance and moves, Charizard is only a Fire/Flying type. For some reason, Game Freak decided not to make it a Dragon type and give that only to Dratini, Dragonair, and Dragonite (and that new Exeggutor form).
Tyranitar
While there were no unique Dragon Pokemon introduced in Gen II (I'm not counting Kingdra), the pseudo-legendary was instead the Dark type known as Tyranitar. This massive powerhouse takes a long time to obtain, as you have to train a Pupitar all the way up to level 55. However, you are immediately rewarded with this creature, as Tyranitar boasts a lot of great stats to keep it on the field while being able to take down those pesky Flying and Psychic types.
Empoleon
Empoleon was the Water starter introduced in Gen IV, and as you've probably discovered by now, a lot of these starters have excellent designs. Empoleon was a unique combination of Water and Steel, something that hadn't been done with a Pokemon before that point. It's more impressive when you consider the fact that its penguin inspiration likely would've made it into a Water/Ice type at first glance. Nonetheless, the Steel type makes Empoleon one of the best starters of that generation and even made it into Pokken Tournament.
Mawile
Mawile is one of those weird and cute Pokemon that was created for Gen III. While it didn't make much sense to a lot of people (and flew under the radar), Mawile has since gained a decent following. Its Steel typing made it a unique pick for trainers in the Hoenn Region, but it was later given the Fairy typing as well when Gen VI rolled around. The most notable trait of Mawile's is the big jaw that also functions as its ponytail. One wrong move, and you'll lose your hand.
Magmortar
A lot of Pokemon fans are quick to point out that Gen IV was mainly about giving older Pokemon more evolutions. Electabuzz, Gligar, Misdreavus, Kirlia, and more all received new evolutions to make them more desirable. Magmar also got an evolution in the form of Magmortar.Channeling more lava, Magmortar can fire hot magma from its arms that double as flame cannons. However, it's extremely difficult to obtain one of these Pokemon, as you must trade a Magmar with a special item.
Kecleon
Another strange Pokemon that came out of Gen III was Kecleon. Being the only Pokemon based on a chameleon, Game Freak took the opportunity to have this Pokemon change types on a whim in the middle of battle. Other than that, there wasn't much use to Kecleon other than simple novelty. In the Mystery Dungeon series, Kecleon are often the owners of a general store that you can also find while crawling dungeons, so there's that I guess. If only they were as strong as depicted in the anime.
Ampharos
If you're looking for an Electric type in the Johto Region, then I highly suggest that you catch a Mareep. With the right love and care it will evolve into a Flaaffy, and then an Ampharos. Ampharos, being a massive conductor of electricity, loses all of its wool and can shoot out many charges at once. While its bipedal appearance and giraffe-like color scheme can confuse some players, it's hard to find a better Pokemon in the Johto Region for taking out those pesky Flying types.
Greninja
Once the starters for Gen VI were revealed, many people flocked to Greninja the same way Decidueye and Charizard were flocked to as well. Being the combination of a frog and a ninja, Greninja can create shurikens made entirely out of water and fire them in rapid succession. This Pokemon was given a major spotlight in the X and Y anime series after Ash caught himself a proud Froakie. Greninja was also loved enough by Masahiro Sakurai that it was given a spot on the roster of Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS.