Pokemon Legends: Z-A buffs up one of X and Y's best 'mons as it introduces Mega Hawlucha, which might have the RPG's coolest new form yet

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It's still Fighting/Flying-type, but now has an even flashier look

A screenshot from the animated cinematic trailer revealing Mega Hawlucha, a new Mega Evolution in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
(Image credit: The Pokemon Company, Nintendo)

We just got our first look at yet another new Mega Evolution being introduced to Pokemon Legends: Z-A this October, with the powerful Fighting/Flying-type Hawlucha the next in line for a big buff.

Mega Evolution – the battle gimmick introduced in Generation 6's Pokemon X and Y – is making a grand return in Legends: Z-A, allowing certain 'mons to temporarily power up with new forms. As well as returning Megas like Charizard and Absol, The Pokemon Company has also been revealing a few new faces, kicking things off with Mega Dragonite and Mega Victreebel, and now Hawlucha.

Hawlucha's new Mega Evolved form wasn't unveiled in a typical trailer, but rather an animated short of a WWE-style fight between it and a Machamp. After taking a beating, Hawlucha thinks fondly about its friendship with its trailer before powering up – donning a gold and black mask complete with matching gold details along its shoulders.

FULL MATCH: Hawlucha vs. Machamp! | Pokémon Legends: Z-A - YouTube FULL MATCH: Hawlucha vs. Machamp! | Pokémon Legends: Z-A - YouTube
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An official press release confirms that Mega Hawlucha keeps the Fighting/Flying typing of its base form – something I don't think fans will be disappointed about since it's a fairly unique combination in the first place, mirrored only by Galarian Zapdos and Flamigo.

"Bulked up by Mega Evolution, it uses its muscles to take hit after hit from opponents' moves and flex its own strength," the press release says. "After luring its opponent into attacking, it retaliates to make them flinch before diving at them using its signature move, Flying Press, to aim for victory." You can see how it looks in the actual game below.

Hawlucha was already a strong Pokemon in the first place, so I imagine its Mega Evolved form is going to be a particularly powerful one. Notably, out of the three new ones revealed so far, this is the only Mega introduced in Legends: Z-A that's for a Kalos-region Pokemon. This could change, of course, but for now it's a pretty special Gen 6 'mon.

I'll be honest, I wasn't sure if the animated video was also going to show off a Mega Machamp at the same time, but I'll take this. Mega Hawlucha is probably the coolest-looking new form yet, even if I'm admittedly very fond of the significantly sillier Mega Victreebel.

I love turn-based RPGs, but 20 minutes of Pokemon Legends: Z-A has convinced me that real-time combat could be the way forward for the series.

Catherine Lewis
Catherine Lewis
Deputy News Editor

I'm GamesRadar+'s Deputy News Editor, working alongside the rest of the news team to deliver cool gaming stories that we love. After spending more hours than I can count filling The University of Sheffield's student newspaper with Pokemon and indie game content, and picking up a degree in Journalism Studies, I started my career at GAMINGbible where I worked as a journalist for over a year and a half. I then became TechRadar Gaming's news writer, where I sourced stories and wrote about all sorts of intriguing topics. In my spare time, you're sure to find me on my Nintendo Switch or PS5 playing through story-driven RPGs like Xenoblade Chronicles and Persona 5 Royal, nuzlocking old Pokemon games, or going for a Victory Royale in Fortnite.

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