Ranking Mega Evolutions By Design

Mega evolutions have become an important part of the sixth Generation of Pokémon – arguably the most controversial part of the sixth generation – in the competitive scheme of things, and it is exhilarating to see a favorite Pokémon transform into even more of a badass. Only a select few Pokémon received a mega evolution (so far) in this generation. Some deserved the mega evolution, while a handful could be argued that they should not have received a mega evolution, but that is for another post. This post will pertain to the design of each mega evolution, and which designs I believe are the best, worst, and ‘meh’ designs. I am no graphic designer, or artist for that matter, so it will not be in technical terms of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ rather just an avid fan of Pokémon that has spent enough time playing games in the Pokémon universe to recognize good, bad, and just not my taste designs. If you disagree with any of my assessments please feel free to tear me limb from limb in the comments section!

(If you’re an old fan of Pokémon and just passing through, but have no idea what these gosh-darned ‘mega evolutions’ are, please click here for an explanation.)

The order is not ‘best to worst’ or ‘worst to best’ but rather the three Generation one starters then alphabetically. Each Mega Evolution will have an explanation and a rating (rating system below – more like rough guidelines). The list of ‘best to worst’ is at the end of this post if you just want to scroll to the bottom. Remember these assessments are in regards to designs, not if the mega evolutions are viable in competition.

Rating is based on a scale of 1 – 10 with 1 being ‘bad’ and 10 being ‘good.’ If two or more Pokémon share the exact score, I will place the one I believe to be slightly better in design above the others with exact scores.

The questions I will be thinking about, but not solely basing my decision on, while assessing a design:

• Does the mega evolution keep the inherent look of the non-mega design?
• Does the mega evolution noticeably change the original design?
• Does the mega evolution improve the original design?
• Would you go on a date with the mega evolution?
• Does the mega evolution design fit in the Pokémon universe?
• Do the accessories added to (some) mega evolutions improve the overall design?
• If a new type is added, or removed, does the mega evolution uphold the new typing in the design?

Let’s begin. 

(note: Not all mega evolutions have official art out yet, so there will be discrepancies among pictures.)

Mega Charizard X
Type: Fire/Dragon

Blue flames. Blue Flames. Blue flames.

Charizard X finally gives us the Fire/Dragon Charizard that we have always wanted, and needed – okay well maybe not needed. (I still could have sworn Charizard was part dragon when I was eight and playing Pokémon Red…)

Charizard is one of two Pokémon to receive TWO mega evolutions, and one of six mega evolutions to add, drop, or change a type! Quite an exciting time we live in, but something seems off with Charizard X. The new wing design is great, the blue flames pouring out of Charizard’s mouth are a nice touch, and it definitely is worth noting the new spiked shoulders, but what is up with the coloration of Charizard X? Blue and black? It actually works with the design here, but it’s just bizarre to go from orange and cream to blue and black. There has been no official explanation (Game Freak normally does not expand upon the Pokémon universe’s many unanswered questions), either, as to why Charizard X becomes black and blue, yet many could argue that it is to differentiate between Charizard X and Charizard Y. Or science vs. nature as a few have speculated.

Nonetheless, Charizard X definitely emits cool and this design (and typing) satisfies since Charizard looked like a dragon type from the beginning of the series.

Rating: 7

Mega Charizard Y
Type: Fire/Flying

You gonna mess with Charbro Y?

Charizard Y keeps the same typing as the original Charizard (this is standard for all but six mega evolutions). Noticeable differences from original Charizard and Charizard Y are: a third horn protruding from the head, several small spikes and one large spike on the tail, wing like additions to the wrists, spikes on wings become larger and appear to be sharper, and overall larger wings than the original Charizard. Yet right away you can tell this is inherently Charizard, but that can be attributed to the orange and cream coloration more than anything.

Charizard Y isn’t nearly as lethal looking as Charizard X, but Charizard Y is much sleeker and keeps the original Charizardness that we all love – well, that most of us love.

Rating: 7

Mega Venusaur
Type: Grass/Poison

Prettiest scaly quadruped I’ve ever seen.

When Mega Venusaur was revealed I laughed. I looked up reactions on various sites to see what everyone else thought of this mega and noticed they were laughing too. I laughed a bit more and then realized that Mega Venusaur has more going for it than at first glance, and that it does not take much for me to laugh.

For starters, the flower on Venusaur’s back has grown larger, taller, and more vibrant. There are vines that are attached to the flower and Venusaur (it does not look apparent where the vines begin and end), and the leaves around the flower on regular Venusaur have also risen with the flower, leaving blue colored leaves on Venusaur’s back. It may not be the case, but Venusaur appears to have been lightened in color. What is the case is that Venusaur has been adorned with a cute pink flower on the forehead. Really ties the mega together.

Not much difference at first glance, but noticeable differences from the original design once you begin to dig deeper. Still, though, Venusaur is not too easy on the eyes.

Rating: 5

Mega Blastoise
Type: Water

Why is Blastoise not Water/Steel?

Instantly I am drawn to the arm cannons and the MASSIVE cannon perched on Blastoise’s back. How the hell did that thing get so big? (That’s what she said.) The arm/wrist cannons make Blastoise’s hands appear smaller.

Regardless of that huge rig on Blastoise’s back, Mega Blastoise actually has noticeable differences from the original design, though we must look closer. Instantly I am drawn to that manly chin. That chin just exudes manliness. Next I notice Blastoise is slightly rounder than before, and definitely bulkier than the original design, yet that could be in part because of the cannon on its back. Blastoise’s ears have shifted backwards and point outwards more than the original design.

Other than the new cannons, there is nothing extravagant or wild about Mega Blastoise. Same color, roughly the same design, and one very manly chin.

Rating: 6

Mega Abomasnow
Type: Grass/Ice

Mega Abomasnow looks fun.

Right away I am drawn to the two crystals jutting out of Mega Abomasnow’s backside. (I’m going to say they are jutting out of the back of Abomasnow, not Abomasnow’s buttocks – but you can see it however you’d like to see it.) The crystals appear to look like crystal missiles about ready to be launched from a silo, or the crystals can be argued to resemble jet engines in ice form. Two incredible touches that add to the enormity of Mega Abomasnow.

Mega Abomasnow has the same color scheme, eye color, and general mouth shape as Abomasnow, but definitely looks to be the angrier brother of Abomasnow with the furrowed brows, hulking fists, and just overall bulk to the design. This is one yeti I would steer clear of regardless of any possible circumstance.

Also, as Redditor /u/Naive-Melody pointed out on /r/Pokemon, Mega Abomasnow’s mouth looks like an upvote.

Rating: 8

Mega Absol
Type: Dark

Looking at Mega Absol makes me want to listen to Hawthorne Heights.

Mega Absol just got a whole lot more angelic with those wings.  That seems counter-productive to a dark type though.  Nonetheless, Absol needed an evolution of some sorts and I am glad it got one. Yet I still cannot really get used to this mega evolution. There are several visible differences from regular Absol, however: the sickle-like horn has become thicker and less menacing (along with a second smaller horn), Absol’s hair on its head has grown longer, each ankle/paw has gained more fluff and a spike, the tail has three points (it looks like a bad comb to me), and, of course, Absol has gained two wings.

This design just doesn’t do it for me, and I’m at a loss for words why. It could be the angelic wings given to a dark type, it could be the lack of ‘badass’ in a mega evolution, or it could be that Absol has somehow become even more ‘emo’ than the original design. Now there’s nothing wrong with being emo, but I can just picture Mega Absol smoking a cigarette and scoffing, ‘Nobody gets me.’

Actually, I can see Absol doing that, but Mega Absol doing a ‘hair-flip’ and scoffing ‘Nobody gets me.’

Rating: 5

Mega Aerodactyl
Type: Rock/Flying

Definitely the Pokémon for pointy beard enthusiasts.

So, uh, yeah let’s begin where everything went wrong with this mega evolution.

The ‘fingers’ on Mega Aerodactyl actually look dangerous, and the spikes along the tail/back are fitting, but what is going on with that ghastly ‘beard’ and those horns on the side of the face? Seriously, did Game Freak take one look at Flexo and say, ‘That’s what we want Mega Aerodactyl to look like!’ It just does not appear that much thought was put into Mega Aerodactyl because it is just regular Aerodactyl with paler skin and black stones all over its body.

Mega Aerodactyl was a big disappointment and could have had a better design than this bearded mess.

Rating: 2

Mega Aggron
Type: Steel

Whoa Aggron, lay off the sweets!

Now this is a tank Mega Evolution if I ever saw one. Aggron somehow gets BIGGER and more badass than before. Aggron gains wrist spikes (what is up with adding to the wrists of mega evolutions?), the spikes on the shoulders have grown rounder, the piercing horn that pointed forward has now been shifted to point straight up (as well as a new horn on the chin of Mega Aggron), and has gained a much wider stance to handle all the additional weight gained through the mega evolution. The tail of Mega Aggron gets much thicker as well.

An aside: I am glad Mega Aggron is pure steel because I never believed the Aggron line should have the rock typing. It is a cool, and helpful, typing, but the Aggron line does not scream ‘part rock type’ like it does ‘full steel type.’

I have never been too fond of Aggron, but this is definitely one of the better mega evolution designs.

Rating: 7

Mega Alakhazam
Type: Psychic

Watch out Vanillite!

Alakazam just became even more sage with this mega evolution. The growth of an impressive beard, an additional three spoons, and a paling of colors makes Mega Alakazam one of the best mega evolutions. Sure, Alakazam had slick facial hair (I’m not sure of the exact name of this type of mustache though) before the mega evolution, but that beard just sends Alakazam’s sagacity through the highest ceiling imaginable. I feel wiser just looking at Mega Alakazam.

Mega Alakazam levitates the five spoons in the air and its feet clasp together like a pair of hands. Mega Alakazam is fitted with an oval shaped ruby (if it is another gem please let me know – it looks like a ruby to me) that is placed on its forehead. The ‘sleeves’ on Mega Alakazam’s wrists become larger, or baggier in a sense, and Alakazam’s round shoulder pads become pointy. Seriously, though, Game Freak really must have thought that mega evolutions really needed wrist accessories.

This mega evolution takes a solid looking Pokémon and makes it even better. Mega Alakazam exudes ‘psychic type’ tremendously.

Rating: 8

Mega Ampharos
Type: Electric/Dragon

I bet Mega Ampharos uses Herbal Essences.

Mega Ampharos, the Fabio of mega evolutions. Just look at that gorgeous white mane for a minute and really let it soak in your mind.

Done yet? Okay, good. Well when Ampharos mega evolves into Mega Ampharos, not only does it gain flowing white hair, it also gains the dragon type.  I am still a bit unsure on why Ampharos was given the dragon type, and, yes, I realize the Japanese name of Ampharos (Denryu) translates into ‘electric dragon.’ Regardless, Mega Ampharos brings the beauty to the mega evolutions.

Along with the white hair and new dragon typing, Ampharos’ ears grow into hornlike appendages, and the previously sheared tail has become a wooly bush with several small red gems. The red gem on Ampharos’ forehead has grown slightly larger on Mega Ampharos’ and glows vividly. This is not the most creative mega evolution, but this mega evolution still does a great job of keeping Ampharos as Ampharos while adding slight modifications to the design.

Sure, you can argue ‘Well it’s just a wig and a bushy tail and that’s it’ and that is true, but that ‘wig and bushy tail’ works incredibly well in this instance.

Rating: 7

Mega Banette
Type: Ghost

So scary looking; I love it.

Never once in my Pokémon career fandom did I ever want a Banette. I like ghost-types (Duskull is one of my favorites), but Banette, and its pre-evo Shuppet, just did not do it for me. I do not know if it was the lack of creepiness (yes, I have read the Pokédex entry), or just what I believed to be a bad design – I just did not like Banette whatsoever. The gold tail was crap, the zipper dumb, and the tail appearing from the head looked strange, but not in a good way for a ghost-type.

Fast forward to its mega evolution reveal (more like leak), and I just HAD to find a Banette and its mega stone! This mega evolution is eerie, yet cute; terrifying, yet gorgeous. It is hard to put a single word on Mega Banette, but I will do my best. Mega Banette is: spookilicious. I’ll get back to that another time.

Banette gains zippers on its hands, torso, its tail (which is more of a hat on Mega Banette), and one across its face through an eye. Zipper mania! What I like about these zippers is that a wang-dang-doodle something actually comes out of it. Purple fingers come through the hand zippers, and two legs through the torso. It makes Banette’s normal design look so terrible in comparison (sorry if you like Banette’s regular design) and is definitely near the top of best looking mega evolutions.

Rating: 8

Mega Blaziken
Type: Fire/Fighting

Look more wrist accessories!

Blaziken the fire/fighting chicken of Generation Three, and fan-favorite. Game Freak needed to not screw it up (just like Lucario below and Charizard above) and they did not screw it up – kinda.

The ‘hair’ regular Blaziken has is now all gelled up with AXE molding cream and are now wing-like in shape that point upwards. Blaziken loses its yellow feathers that are replaced with red ones. and normally where the red feathers are, are now replaced with black feathers (except on the face and arms). Blaziken’s wrist flames are now long wrist flames that look hot to the touch. The chest ‘X’ on Blaziken is more clean cut as well now.

Overall not a bad design here, but nothing impressive. Game Freak tried and did an okay job with this mega evolution but it will reside in the middle of the pack for me.

Rating: 5

Mega Garchomp
Type: Dragon/Ground

Another manly chin: ¡Ay, caramba!

Mega Garchomp may slice your head off if you speak ill of it. Mega Garchomp loses the fin-wings and gains two sharp as heck scythes, a la Kabutops/Scyther. The two scythes definitely add to the badass factor of an already badass Pokémon. Mega Garchomp gains spikes along the red abdomen, as well as a red spike per kneecap. The tail becomes more crescent-like. I’m not really sure how you could console your Mega Garchomp after a loss without killing yourself; don’t lose I guess! Straight up killing machine.

My only complaint about Mega Garchomp is the manly chin and general shape of the head. What is up with that? It looks as if it had horrible Poképlastic surgery performed to replace its chin. Yes, the chin is very manly, but it just does not look right on this mega evolution.

Rating: 7

Mega Gardevoir
Type: Psychic/Fairy

Do not be fooled, Gardevoir is not fat

Lady Gardevoir got a mega evolution (well, so did Gentlemen Gardevoir hehe) and it gave her a crinoline. Oh yeah, Gardevoir (mega or not) is also now part fairy! Appropriate for a lady with such grace (sorry male Gardevoir).

Yet the crinoline is really the only thing that pops out in this mega evolution. Gardevoir’s arms become white as to appear like fanciful gloves and the chest ‘spike’ opens ever-so-slightly to have two ‘spikes.’ That’s about it. Oh, and a slight haircut. There is not more to Gardevoir than that. This mega is the definition of ‘meh’ for me.

Rating: 3

Mega Gengar
Type: Ghost/Poison

The most mischievous ghost type.

Gengar – a favorite for many from Generation one and on – may have one of the more unusual looking mega evolutions. But that does not make it a bad one.

Mega Gengar literally passes through the ground and loses part of its body (this picture reveals it actually has little feetsies). Which makes sense because ghosts can go through objects. Gengar gains a yellow eye that does not blink on its forehead and its wrists become frilly, or spiky. I’m nearly positive that Game Freak wanted every single Mega Evolution to have improved wrists. The ears become significantly longer and the spikes on Gengar’s back grow larger. Gengar keeps that patented devilish smile.

I like this Mega evolution for its overall simplicity and the nice little touch of it sinking through the floor. (Oh and supposedly the yellow eye can see ‘other dimensions’ but I just think Gengar has bad eyesight in its regular two eyes.)

Rating: 7

Mega Gyarados
Type: Water/Dark

Mega Gyarados, the blue prawn Pokémon.

‘Yes! Gyarados got a mega evolution too! Hooray, this means he’ll (I sometimes give Pokémon over-arching genders) get the dragon-typing just like Charizard X right?’ – my line of thought when I became aware of Mega Gyarados. I was slightly disappointed that it did not get a dragon typing.

Gyarados did not get a dragon typing, instead it got dark typing, which actually is not that terrible when you think about it competitively. Now where exactly is the ‘dark type’ in Mega Gyarados, though? Let’s see.

The crest on its forehead is now much larger and is black, and the barbels (as Bulbapedia puts it) are also much larger and black. The underside of Mega Gyarados is black thrice, but guess what? Coloration of a Pokémon does not necessarily equate to type! The reason Mega Gyarados is dark type because it is still so damn evil looking (dark-type is known as ‘evil-type’ in Japan) and I’m sure Game Freak was tired of having to explain to people why Gyarados is part flying type – okay, that’s more like I was tired of explaining it to people. Along with new black accessories, Gyarados sports two dorsal fins (probably wrong there with the type of fins), red scales, and a compact size.

Still, doesn’t Mega Gyarados look a lot like a shrimp to you? It’s absolutely the most terrifying shrimp I have ever seen, but still looks like a shrimp. I would giggle a lot if I saw this thing destroying my town.

Rating: 6

Mega Heracross
Type: Bug/Fighting

So, there’s a lot going on here.

What happened to my magnificent rhinoceros beetle? Now it’s this hulking behemoth with a quaint antennae and a cute little nose… I can’t stay mad at Heracross or its mega evolution. I love the bulkiness.

As you notice, there’s a large horn ,with two small spikes on that large horn, jutting out of Heracross’s noggin and Heracross is a lighter blue than in its original state.  Heracross no longer has wrists because large tumors have grown its forearms have become much thicker consuming the wrists, and a smaller horn rests in between Heracross’s eyes – just above its mouth. Mega Heracross, also, has what looks like a vent on its chest, and orange markings throughout its body.

I was savagely against this design at first glance, but I have come to terms with it and I quite like this fat bugger. I also think its muscular forearms would be very squishy.

Rating: 7

Mega Houndoom
Type: Dark/Fire

YES! THIS IS THE MEGA EVOLUTION WE NEEDED.

If mega evolutions filled up Pokédex slots then this should have been Pokémon 666 (the number of the beast is actually 616), but I guess Vivillon will do. Houndoom’s horns now point upwards and appear to be thicker; it gains a bone-structured breast plate that has horns jutting out from around the neck; there no longer are bands on Houndoom’s hind legs and there are now four total bands (which are broken) on the front legs; its tail is split down the middle and the base of the tail is now protected by bone-like armor.

THERE’S SO MUCH GOING ON IN THIS MEGA EVOLUTION. IT EXCITES ME SO.

There are also two horns that look like elephant tusks coming out from Houndoom’s upper back that come under the bone breast plate.

I’m just in awe of how badass Houndoom is now. It’s just so sinister now, so malicious, so deadly. This is the supreme Mega Evolution. I would definitely buy a figurine of this mega evolution and I never buy figurines or plushes.

Rating: 10

Mega Kangaskhan
Type: Normal

Finally the baby does something!

This mega evolution will be assessed with a different approach because of the lack of change in the main Pokémon in question. As you can see, Mega Kangaskhan has not changed at all, but that little guy (or gal) in the pouch has finally decided to battle alongside momma Kangaskhan!

Yet this causes even more confusion. Does the little guy/gal become an adult ever? Why does Kangaskhan not have a pre-evolution if this is possible with the mega evolution? Why is the pup a different color? Okay that one can be explained: most pups, kits, children of animals begin as one color and end up the same color as the adults.

But this design is more towards the competitive nature of the Mega evolution and there is not really much to assess design-wise because all that has happened is Kangaskhan’s baby has become a fighter.

Rating: Inconclusive

Mega Lucario
Type: Fighting/Steel

Mega Lucario gains more ‘ears’?

Unsurprisingly Lucario received a mega evolution – unsurprising because it is one of the more popular Pokémon and Game Freak has to get that cash money out of popular Pokémon! It was one of the first revealed Mega Pokémon too, so I guess you could say it was surprising Lucario did receive a mega evolution. Whatever. Let’s move on.

Lucario is a fan-favorite, so Game Freak had to do a solid job of keeping Lucario a fan-favorite. I believe they succeeded. Mega Lucario adds red colored feet and paws, a cream colored cape (same as the chest), and an extension of each of the four ‘appendages’ coming from Lucario’s head (2 of the longer appendages have red added to their tips). I still do not understand what those appendages are, but I like’em a lot more on Mega Lucario than regular Lucario.

Lucario’s feet gain two spikes each (one small and one large), the cream fur around Lucario’s neck grows slightly outward to give Lucario a nice rugged look, and black stripes appear on Lucario’s legs and arms.  All in all, a good mega design that does not smother Lucario with accessories or needless apparatuses.

Rating: 7

Mega Manectric
Type: Electric

Manectric is an electric type? Where’d you get that idea? It’s not the giant lightning bolt on its back that gave it away, is it?

Manectric is the version exclusive counter to Houndoom.

Mega Manectric is a moving lightning bolt with horns. It appears to be extremely top heavy, and seemingly would topple over with even the slightest push. It is necessarily a bad design, just one that is not practical for a creature that needs to battle other creatures. How can Manectric move gracefully without tumbling?

The hips of Mega Manectric have now become ripe with blue fur (instead of yellow spiky hips) and the claws of Mega Manectric have become red like the blood it seeks. Still, I cannot really get behind this mega evolution because it is essentially ‘Let’s take an electric Pokémon and turn it into a lightning bolt!’

‘Even better idea; let’s just put a lightning bolt ON the Pokémon!’

‘Brilliant!’

Rating: 3

Mega Mawile
Type: Steel/Fairy

Two steel-mouths-jutting-out-of-your-head are better than one.

As mentioned before, there are certain Pokémon that needed some type of evolution to stay relevant – competitively and in general. Mawile is one of those Pokémon, and while I wanted it to have a real evolution, a mega evolution will do the trick. Also the retconning helps too.

I have always been irked by Mawile because it is always facing away from you. I get that the metal mouth sprouting out from its head is the main weapon, but does every single sprite of Mawile have to be facing away from you? The anime does showcase Mawile from the front, though. Just a mini rant.

Mega Mawile changes the color of Mawile’s pants (Bulbapedia calls it fur) from yellow to magenta (along with the fur near the paws), and a second metal mouth pops up alongside the original mouth. The mouths are more sinister looking than the original mouth on Mawile because of jagged looking teeth and a wavy shape that makes it disturbing to me for some reason – disturbing in a good way?

This mega evolution is not bad, but it is not great either. It does a great job of keeping Mawile inherently Mawile, but it does not expand upon Mawile well with only a color change in some areas, and an additional metal mouth.

Rating: 5

Mega Medicham
Type: Fighting/Psychic

Did someone say something about ribbons?

Oh Medicham, you fighting/psychic devil, you. You were already ridiculous looking to begin with and now Game Freak adorns you with a turban, a gem skirt (no idea what that is called), and gold wristlets… You look much better in your mega evolution. Medicham is very sage looking with its mega evolution (no where near Mega Alakazam’s sageness) and beautifully calm.

I always felt that something was off with Medicham, like it needed a shirt or had tumors in its thighs. This may be the only exception where too many accessories is quite all right. I like this mega evolution much more than the original, but I still don’t really like it. Sorry, Medicham fans.

Rating: 4

Mega Mewtwo X
Type: Psychic/Fighting

Mega Mewtwo X is not one to trifle with.

Mewtwo already was a badass, but golly gee willikers Mega Mewtwo X is twice the badass that Mewtwo is (don’t hurt me Mewtwo). Mewtwo X appears to have hit the gym hard with an overall more toned figured than Mewtwo, and the way Mewtwo X stands is more upright than Mewtwo. Mewtwo X has two purple ‘growths’ across its shoulders, and the tail is much shorter as it rolls up slightly at the end. Mewtwo’s face got a lot more serious as well. I’m not sure if ‘serious’ is the right word, but that look Mewtwo X has on its face is something fierce.

This fierce looking human made Pokémon is just stellar looking and a force to be reckon with in the weight room. With those muscles, I now understand why it gains the fighting type!

Rating: 8

Mega Mewtwo Y
Type: Psychic

Mew’s younger bro, Mega Mewtwo Y.

Mewtwo Y was the first mega evolution to be revealed and one that caused quite the uproar (even before it was known as a ‘mega-evolution). There were many befuddled Pokémon fans, including me, but I have grown to like and accept Mega Mewtwo Y.

This mega evolution of Mewtwo has been theorized (it may have been a leaker that said this though) to make Mewtwo look more like its relative, Mew. It does have Mew-like qualities being that it is smaller, rounder, and overall being just a little cutie! Mewtwo Y also gains a tail coming out from its head (Bulbapedia calls it an appendage; it’s a tail, it just happens to come out of Mewtwo Y’s head), plumb looking fingers and toes, and what appears to be some sort of a half-halo on top of its head.  The chest gains a few spikes.

Now this is not my favorite mega evolution, but it is not a bad one either. Sure, many people nerdraged a bit (myself included) at the sight of it, yet I like the fan/leaker theory about how Mewtwo Y is supposed to look more like Mew. I can appreciate that and recognize that Game Freak did a great job of keeping Mewtwo, Mewtwo and still having one of its mega evolutions similar to Mew.

Rating: 6

Mega Pinsir
Type: Bug/Flying

What?

I was so stoked when I heard Pinsir was getting a mega evolution because it needed an evolution – any kind of evolution. It was left behind in Generation two when Scyther got an evolution and Heracross was determined to have no relation to Pinsir (many speculated at the time that Heracross was Pinsir’s evolution). I was so, so, so stoked. Then the first picture was revealed of Pinsir’s mega evolution I became so, so, so morose.

This is the best you could do Game Freak? Really?

Pinsir now gets wings, which is a bit too late because the original design is based on a stag beetle and stag beetle (for the most part) can fly. I get it – Pinsir cannot fly without a mega evolution, but just adding wings does not make a mega evolution. The horns get larger and have more spikes, and Pinsir gains strange looking elbows as well, yet it just feels like there was little to no thought put behind this mega evolution.

Rating: 1

Mega Scizor
Type: Bug/Steel

If I saw a bug that even slightly resembled Mega Scizor, I would run away screaming like a small child.

Oh boy. Look at this thing.

First off one can tell this is Scizor, but one can also notice that this does not look much like Scizor at all (aside from the body structure, color scheme, and head.) Scizor has dumped the boring clamps for lethal serrated blades that also have a clamp mechanism. The legs now are triangular polygons that come to a silver point at one end, which is my least favorite part of this design. Scizor gains black shoulders, a black crest adorned on the head, and black ‘thighs.’ The abdomen is also black, but was black in the original Scizor design.

I had always slightly disliked Scizor because Scyther had always been a favorite of mine in Generation One, and it was difficult to obtain Scizor if you did not have a friend that was willing to trade with you (plus I normally used the Metal Coat on getting on Steelix). Scizor just felt abnormal as well because it went from a green mantis with deadly scythes to a red mantis with clamps? My young mind could not comprehend the rationale behind the evolution. Eventually I got over the petty dislike and welcomed Scizor’s design, but this mega evolution makes Scizor’s original design look so bland.

What is great about this mega evolution is the aforementioned ‘one can tell this is Scizor’ and knowing it is a completely changed Pokémon.

Rating: 8

Mega Tyranitar
Type: Rock/Dark

Tyranitar is ready to battle.

Seen as a version-exclusive Pokémon to (Mega) Aggron, Mega Tyranitar also comes in super bulky and tank-like. Except I am  not near as fond of Mega Tyranitar as I am Mega Aggron. The spikes that grow out of Mega Tyranitar’s chest plate are irregular in length and they make Mega Tyranitar goofy looking. Are the spikes suppose to simulate an explosion coming from Mega Tyranitar’s chest to add to the badassery? Or do the spikes move in the wind? I am not quite sure, but those spikes just feel wrong.

Mega Tyranitar is not a complete loss, though. I absolutely love how the chest plate is red and looks an awful lot like Pupitar. The spikes on the kneecaps are a nice touch as well, and I cannot complain about how great the longer tail looks. I am neither fond or against the new horns on Mega Tyranitar.

Rating: 5

Why couldn’t this little cutie get a real or mega evolution?  (Photo credit: Bulbapedia)

That’s all, folks; now here are the rankings. Feel free to disagree in the comments, kind and malicious words are allowed.

Order of best to worst:

1. Mega Houndoom (10)

2. Mega Alakazam (8)

3. Mega Scizor (8)

4. Mega Banette (8)

5. Mega Abomasnow (8)

6. Mega Mewtwo X (8)

7. Mega Ampharos (7)

8. Mega Aggron (7)

9. Mega Heracross (7)

10. Mega Charizard X (7)

11. Mega Charizard Y (7)

12. Mega Gengar (7)

13. Mega Lucario (7)

14. Mega Garchomp (7)

15. Mega Blastoise (6)

16. Mega Mewtwo Y (6)

17. Mega Gyarados (6)

18. Mega Venusaur (5)

19. Mega Tyranitar (5)

20. Mega Mawile (5)

21. Mega Blaziken (5)

22. Mega Absol (5)

23. Mega Medicham (4)

24. Mega Manectric (3)

25. Mega Gardevoir (3)

26. Mega Aerodactyl (3)

27. Mega Pinsir (1)

Inconclusive: Mega Kangaskhan

Source of picture: Bulbapedia (Some of which were scanned from CoroCoro).

Thanks for reading!