Following the revival of the Mega Evolution mechanic across thePokemonworld, it’s easy to see why many of these Pokemon are so popular. While certain Mega Evolutions, like Mega Dragonite, were met with divisive opinions, it’s clear that even Pokemon like Charizard left something on the table with their more conservative original designs.
It’s hard to imagine that Pokemon who were already so beloved for their designs could be even better, but from their introduction in Pokemon X & Y, these top-tier Mega Evolution designs have sparked debate about which version is better. Even the staunchest Gen One purist has to admit that these designs raise the bar for already-impressive designs.
8Mega Pinsir
With its bland brown and gray color palette and a relatively uninspired bug/humanoid appearance, Pinsir was never going to win many Pokemon beauty pageants. But once its Mega Evolution dropped, everything changed for this once-forgotten Bug-type Pokemon.
Mega Pinsir brightens up the color palette while remaining faithful to the original, and its newly introduced wings spice things up with their orange and yellow shading that complement the sinister eye makeover. This Mega Evolution is such a huge upgrade in every facet that it’s hard to imagine what they were thinking when they created the original design.
7Mega Pidgeot
Pidgeot, like Pinsir, features a pretty subdued color palette, with its tufts of yellow and orange in the crown as the sole distinguishing factors from an otherwise boring combination of brown and beige.
Mega Pidgeot makes a major statement with its blue, red, and orange feathers on its wings and tail, with its primary brown color shifting to a more burnt orange color. Mega Pidgeot even gets a cooler-looking plume on its head, with a very Super Saiyan vibe that even Vegeta would love.
6Mega Gengar
Gengar might not necessarily qualify as cute and would be astrange sight in Aardman’s signature style for their Pokemon Tales series,but the original design looks far more cartoonish than the Mega Evolution. Considering how devious Gengar’s personality is, the Mega Evolution fits its lore just as well, if not better than the original.
The original Gengar design is fantastic, but there’s something much darker and more fitting about the wide, white-toothed smile combined with Mega Gengar’s sharper ears and overall design.
5Mega Blaziken
Blaziken, like Gengar, isn’t poorly designed by any means, but when it comes to intimidating Fire-type Pokemon, it’s easy to see why Mega Blaziken hits the mark better than its original. While OG Blaziken has a reputation as ‘the fire chicken,’ the Mega Evolution gives it a more nuanced, almost ninja-like appearance.
Between its more aggressive natural pose and the gorgeous streams of flame billowing from its arms, Mega Blaziken blows the standard design away with better detailing, an improved color scheme, and an overall more powerful vibe.
4Mega Blastoise
Mega Blastoise doesn’t get nearly enough respect, and its appearance as one ofthe most undervalued Mega Evolution cardsis evidence of this. While Blastoise arguably looks more similar to its original design than any other Pokemon, the minor upgrades make a big difference.
The cannons on its back shift over to Blastoise’s arms, while its shell gains a single, massive cannon instead. The change is a little jarring to get used to, but considering that it stays faithful to the best parts of the original while adding an even bigger water cannon, it’s a subtle but substantial improvement.
3Mega Charizard Y
Whether it’s busy saving Ash from certain defeat orflaunting its roster of valuable cards, Charizardseems to do no wrong. Even though its original design is partially responsible for this Pokemon’s now-legendary recognizability, the Mega Charizard Y design stays faithful to the color scheme while reimagining what a ferocious lizard dragon would look like.
The original design is much softer and looks more cuddly, with Charizard’s squishy midsection and more rounded edges contributing to this. The Mega Charizard Y design leans into a more intimidating appearance, which arguably fits better, considering Charizard’s moody personality and ferocious power.
2Mega Absol
Absol’s original design is flat-out boring. Yes, the color choices are clean, and the single-blade-like horn looks cool, but this Pokemon’s unremarkable design didn’t do justice to its mischievous, yet calm personality.
Mega Absol makes the necessary changes to the original design to make this Pokemon stand out, while preserving the white color palette and sharp claws that made the base form cool. The angelic wings and longer tuft of hair lean into its goth-like look, and prove how close the first design was to perfection.
1Mega Lucario
Lucario leads the way as the Mega Evolution with the biggest upgrade from the original. At first glance, these designs look fairly similar, but a closer inspection of the details captures Lucario’s fighting spirit and immense power without losing the aspects that endeared it to fans.
Lucario’s body shape remains similar, but with the additional steel spikes added, the color change to its legs, and the black tattoo-like designs on its body, Mega Lucario appears noticeably more powerful. Even if you loved the original, it’s clear that Mega Lucario is an upgrade on its base form’s more simplistic choices.
