During the latest Nintendo Direct, fans were treated to a long-anticipated reveal: Mega Evolutions for the Kalos starter Pokémon, Delphox, Greninja, and Chesnaught. These evolutions were never available in the original Pokémon X and Y, and their introduction in Pokémon Legends Z-A was met with excitement, particularly given Greninja’s enduring popularity. Yet, it soon became clear that acquiring them will not be as straightforward as many had hoped.
According to details shared on the official website, the Mega Stones needed to evolve these Pokémon—Greninjite, Delphoxite, and Chesnaughtite—are exclusively tied to the Z-A Battle Club’s online Ranked Battles. This means that players must hold an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription to participate, effectively locking the Kalos starters’ Mega Evolutions behind both a paywall and mandatory competitive play. The system distributes rewards in three forms: after each battle, upon promotion to a higher rank, and at the end of a season. The Mega Stones are only available as promotion rewards, requiring players to consistently climb the ranks.
Seasonal scheduling further complicates matters. Nintendo confirmed that Greninjite will be available in Ranked Battles Season 1 starting October 16, Delphoxite in Season 2, and Chesnaughtite in Season 3. Each player can only obtain one stone per season, meaning that securing all three will require participating in at least three consecutive seasons. While season lengths have not been specified, the structure suggests that fans cannot simply purchase a one-month membership and collect all three Mega Stones at once.
For long-time Pokémon fans, the decision has proven controversial. Many view Mega Evolutions as one of the most exciting mechanics in the franchise, and tying the Kalos starters’ upgrades to online competition could alienate more casual players who prefer single-player content. Nintendo has indicated that the Mega Stones will be redistributed in future seasons, but as it stands, those who wish to complete their collection will need to engage in competitive battles under Nintendo Switch Online’s subscription model.
Pokémon Legends Z-A will be released on October 16, 2025, returning players to the Kalos region with new mysteries to discover. The game will be available on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2.
