Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift codes for Mega Garchomp Z
Pokemon All Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift Codes and Rewards (March 2026)
Rayquaza flies over Ansha in Pokemon Legends ZA DLC
Pokemon Pokemon Legends: Z-A update 2.0.1 adds major quality-of-life improvements and fixes one of the DLC's biggest annoyances
Screenshot of Mega Excadrill in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
Pokemon Former Pokemon world champion says this mole "has the potential to run the metagame" once it's free from Legends: Z-A
A Mega Starmie ex surrounded by flashes of color
Tabletop Gaming Next Pokemon TCG expansion is based on the Pokemon Legends: Z-A game
Venusaur artwork
Pokemon Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are skipping Switch Online because Nintendo "thought it would be fun"
Pokemon Presents 2026
Pokemon All Pokemon Presents 2026 codes and rewards for Pokemon Go, Legends Z-A, TCG Pocket, and more
Three Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution cards laid out on a wooden surface
Tabletop Gaming Where to buy Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution now that the set is out in the wild
Lugia in Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness
Pokemon Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness is coming to Nintendo Switch Online next month, but there's no sign of Colosseum yet
Key art for Pokemon Champions
Pokemon Pokemon Champions: Everything you need to know ahead of the Nintendo game's release
A Mega Floette ex wreaks havoc in Lumiose City
Tabletop Gaming The next Pokemon TCG set is Chaos Rising, with "Mega Floette ex wreaking havoc" across Lumiose City
In Pokemon Winds and Waves, the large whale-like Pokemon Wailord shoots water up from its blow hole on the surface of the ocean
Pokemon Can you play Pokemon Winds and Waves on Nintendo Switch 1?
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing Animal Crossing: New Horizons' pitiful selection of retro games can only be accessed with a Switch Online subscription
Pokemon
Nintendo Switch 2 Everything announced at the Pokemon Presents February showcase to celebrate Pokemon Day 2026
Key art for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen showing Venasaur against a swirling green background, cropped for a header image
Pokemon Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen speedrunner finishes the re-releases in under 3 hours, discovers Legendary events are included
Zoomed-in, cropped box art for Pokemon FireRed shows Charizard roaring.
Pokemon Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen get a surprise reveal for Nintendo Switch, and they'll be launching next week
  1. Games
  2. Adventure Games
  3. Pokemon
  4. Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Pokemon Legends Z-A locks the Mega Evolutions for the Kalos starters to ranked seasons, making them impossible to get without paying for Nintendo Switch Online

News
By Scott McCrae published 15 September 2025

Plus, if you miss a seasonal reward, you'll need to wait until they return

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Pokemon Legends Z-A
(Image credit: Nintendo | The Pokemon Company)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
1
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

The Pokemon Company and Nintendo revealed new Mega Evolutions for the Kalos trio in Pokemon Legends Z-A, but it turns out you'll need to be paying for Nintendo Switch Online to get them.

During last week's Nintendo Direct, it was revealed that Pokemon Legends Z-A would be getting new DLC, with two versions of Mega Raichu being the star of the show, so it's easy to forget we saw new Mega Evolutions on top of that. As Pokemon Legends Z-A is set in the Kalos region (of Pokemon X and Y fame), it's only natural that the trio of Kalos starters are represented in the game, with Chesnaught, Delphox, and Greninja finally getting Mega evolutions 12 years later.

However, there's a catch. The Pokemon website updated with more info on these new Mega Evolutions, revealing just how you'll get the Mega Stones necessary to awaken the Mega Evolution forms of the three Pokemon. Starting upon the game's launch on October 16, there will be ranked seasons in the Z-A Battle Club, with season 1's reward for ranking up being Greninjite, Season 2 offering Delphoxite, and Season 3 giving you Chesnaughtite. The post doesn't clarify just how many ranks you have to climb, either.

You may like
  • Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift codes for Mega Garchomp Z All Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift Codes and Rewards (March 2026)
  • Rayquaza flies over Ansha in Pokemon Legends ZA DLC Pokemon Legends: Z-A update 2.0.1 adds major quality-of-life improvements and fixes one of the DLC's biggest annoyances
  • Screenshot of Mega Excadrill in Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Former Pokemon world champion says this mole "has the potential to run the metagame" once it's free from Legends: Z-A

So, not only will you be waiting until a while after launch to get your hands on the Mega Stone for the coolest of the three starters (Chesnaught, obviously), but you also need to compete online to get them. Plus, if you get the game for Christmas, for example, you'll probably have missed the chance to get one of the stones (although it was confirmed that these are "planned to be redistributed in future seasons.")

But on top of that, the Z-A Battle Arena is an online mode, meaning that unless you shell out the money for a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you won't be able to obtain the Mega Evolution forms of the Kalos trio, with the website confirming "Greninjite, Delphoxite, and Chesnaughtite stones cannot normally be obtained during regular gameplay." And considering the Raichu Mega forms are locked to the DLC, that means there are now five Mega Evolutions you can't get without paying extra on top of the game.

Nintendo finally wises up to Palworld, announces Pokemon crafting and building game Pokopia – starring a Ditto that thinks it's a real human.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
TOPICS
The Pokemon Company Nintendo Direct
CATEGORIES
Nintendo Switch 2 Platforms Nintendo
Scott McCrae
Scott McCrae
Social Links Navigation
Contributor

Scott has been freelancing for over three years across a number of different gaming publications, first appearing on GamesRadar+ in 2024. He has also written for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, VG247, Play, TechRadar, and others. He's typically rambling about Metal Gear Solid, God Hand, or any other PS2-era titles that rarely (if ever) get sequels.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift codes for Mega Garchomp Z
Pokemon All Pokemon Legends Z-A Mystery Gift Codes and Rewards (March 2026)
 
 
Rayquaza flies over Ansha in Pokemon Legends ZA DLC
Pokemon Pokemon Legends: Z-A update 2.0.1 adds major quality-of-life improvements and fixes one of the DLC's biggest annoyances
 
 
Screenshot of Mega Excadrill in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
Pokemon Former Pokemon world champion says this mole "has the potential to run the metagame" once it's free from Legends: Z-A
 
 
A Mega Starmie ex surrounded by flashes of color
Tabletop Gaming Next Pokemon TCG expansion is based on the Pokemon Legends: Z-A game
 
 
Venusaur artwork
Pokemon Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are skipping Switch Online because Nintendo "thought it would be fun"
 
 
Pokemon Presents 2026
Pokemon All Pokemon Presents 2026 codes and rewards for Pokemon Go, Legends Z-A, TCG Pocket, and more
 
 
Latest in Pokemon
Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia player builds a working calculator less than 3 weeks after the life sim's release
 
 
Lumiose City Mini Tin and Mega Moonlight Tin against a blurred Lumiose City background
Tabletop Gaming "I can't wait to not be able to get my hands on any," fans say as new Pokemon card tins are announced
 
 
Zoomed-in, cropped box art for Pokemon FireRed shows Charizard roaring.
Pokemon "The biggest time save in nearly a decade of Pokemon speedrunning" has been discovered in FireRed
 
 
Ditto and Onix in Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Minecraft griefing returns in Pokemon Pokopia as player ruins "public island for co-op building" with 0 guilt
 
 
Pikachu on a brick path looking up over its shoulder into the foreground
Tabletop Gaming If you want to collect Pokemon cards again like me, this is the best place to start
 
 
Pokemon Pokopia Mosslax
Pokemon New Pokemon Pokopia update addresses early-game softlocking and more, because we all deserve to meet Mosslax ASAP
 
 
Latest in News
Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams in Wonder Man.
Marvel TV Shows Marvel greenlights Wonder Man season 2 with Simon Williams and Trevor Slattery confirmed to return
 
 
Shocked Palworld creature looking into a box
Survival Games Palworld devs are "still bad at spending money and we're still bad at saving money"
 
 
Black cat riding in front basket of bike gets pat on the head
PC Gaming Cat Parents devs "never imagined" 100,000 wishlists in three days, but I'm surprised they're surprised
 
 
Gabe Newell in a white shirt
Games "Gabe cannot buy yachts with wishlists": Steam expert begs devs to make the most of their hit games
 
 
God of War protagonist Kratos, splattered in blood, looks pensive
God of War God of War devs didn't expect to spend 4 years in development: They "crunched like motherf***ers"
 
 
Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace in Project Hail Mary
Sci-Fi Movies Project Hail Mary directors say Steven Spielberg pitched that Close Encounters Easter egg
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Shocked Palworld creature looking into a box
    1
    Palworld devs are "still bad at spending money and we're still bad at saving money" according to Pocketpair publishing head, as the studio "can take risks others can't"
  2. 2
    "Gabe cannot buy yachts with wishlists": Steam expert begs devs to make the most of their hit games, because to Valve "you're like a little goblin that has a magical power to turn straw into gold"
  3. 3
    Marvel fans discuss their wishlists for Captain America 5, and the top choice is "competent writing and dialogue"
  4. 4
    OG God of War devs didn't expect the PS2 classic to take 4 years to make, but they "didn't know any better" and "crunched like motherf***ers"
  5. 5
    Project Hail Mary directors say Steven Spielberg pitched that Close Encounters of the Third Kind Easter egg: "He's like, 'Wouldn't that be funny?'"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...