Z-A Reveals Its Newest Mega Evolution

Pokemon Legends: Z-A has revealed that Mega Hawlucha will be joining its roster, marking the first time that the Fighting/Flying-type wrestling bird will have its own Mega Evolution. The popular game mechanic got its start in Pokemon X and Y, and Pokemon Legends: Z-A returning to the Kalos region this October is leading to a string of exciting new Mega Evolution reveals.

Temporarily boosting a Pokemon’s stats while also sometimes changing their types, Mega Evolution is a powerful tool that looks like it will be a central theme for the upcoming Pokemon spin-off game. Fans can expect more than two dozen new Mega Evolutions in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and Mega Hawlucha’s reveal adds to a growing list of new forms previewed ahead of the game’s launch.

Mega Hawlucha Joins the Pokemon Legends: Z-A Roster

In a new four-minute-long animation shared on Pokemon’s official Twitter profile, Hawlucha and fellow Fighting-type Pokemon Machamp square off inside a wrestling ring, with their trainers giving instructions from the aprons. Despite Hawlucha’s type advantage, Machamp takes an early lead in the pummeling, and after a brief montage of the time spent with its trainer, she activates her Mega Bracelet and reveals Mega Hawlucha’s form. Sporting a plumed and sparkling gold and black luchador mask and matching decorative costume piece around its shoulders, Mega Hawlucha turns the tide of battle, no-selling a chop from Machamp before taking it out with its signature Flying Press move.

The reveal of Mega Hawlucha is exciting for Pokemon fans, but many saw it coming. Earlier this week, Pokemon teased the Mega Evolution reveal with a Twitter post that showed an animated fight poster promoting the upcoming match between Hawlucha and Machamp. While fans were expecting the poster to hint that a new Mega Evolution was about to be revealed, it wasn’t clear if either or both of these Pokemon would be getting the Mega Evolution treatment, as there is still no Mega Machamp in the Pokemon games.

Mega Hawlucha isn’t the only new Mega Evolution that has been revealed in the months leading up to the game’s release. In July, Pokemon Legends: Z-A revealed Mega Dragonite, and its unusual design, with a massive pair of angelic wings sprouting from the side of its head, has received mixed but passionate reactions from fans. Additionally, last week, Mega Victreebel was revealed via a pair of trailers. With both of the former unveilings being Gen 1 Pokemon, some may have predicted that Machamp would be the one getting the special treatment this time around, but there will likely still be plenty more Mega Evolution reveals in the lead-up to Pokemon Legends: Z-A’s launch on October 16 for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.