impostorPokémonSparkling Diamond and Sparkling Pearlno horizonBy the end of 2021, fans are speculating and hoping that the beloved Sinnoh region will get a proper modernized treatment on Nintendo Switch. Surprisingly, Game Freak outsourced the Diamond and Pearl remakes to new studio ILCA while they were working on the ambitious Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It's a sign that they're really open to changes that will hopefully make these games better.
RELATED:
The video announcement for these games indicated that Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl would focus on being faithful remakes of the originals with modern conveniences, but fans would certainly expect a return from Mega Evolutions. However, in the seventh generation, a similar innovation was introduced in regional variants (Alolan/Galarian Forms), which proved to be a success.
Mega Evolutions - Longtime fan favorites
An obvious reason for Mega Evolutions to make a fitting return is how much a feature has been appreciated on the 3DS since the sixth generation of Pokémon X and Y in 2013. It was an exciting and innovative new feature that combined select Pokémon species from a design and gameplay perspective. Mega Evolutions were fun single player experiences, but they also livened up the competitive scene for those interested.
It was prominent in the Kalos games and Hoenn remakes but received more attention in the sixth generation. See them completely destroyed in Sword and Shield in favor of the laziestGigantamaxing/Dynamaxing-Funktion- and probably no more than a generational gimmick - was a disappointment.
Regional variants: more interesting
If only one is preferred over the others, one should focus on regional variants/forms, perhaps due to the more creative impact on the resource. Mega Evolutions are definitely great because they tend toward the mystical, but what's exciting about regional variants is how they're influenced by real-world evolution. "Evolution" is an important part indas Pokémon-Franchise, but your version ismore like a metamorphosis in the real worldin animals
Regional variants take animals from this fictional universe and apply how wildlife in different parts of the world in unique climates and environments adapt to that environment and affect their physiology and biology. Having Pokémon "evolution" and regional variants is a fun and exciting way to experience evolution and metamorphosis in real life, and to bring the world to life with (even more) unique life.
Mega Evolutions: Much needed upgrades
Regional variants also offer stat mixes, but Mega Evolutions often offer large spikes in power, which brings benefitscertain types of Pokemon. The way super powered species usually help make some more competitive when they haven't for a long time, if at all.
RELATED:
It's practically become a meme, but at least there's some truth and merit to them, as there are a few Pokemon that initially seemed to fail and have fans wondering why they were included in the first place. People like Dunsparce would benefit from a mega evolution that offers some kind of stat bonus.as well as the design change, and Flygon is a popular fan request, if only because it's a great design that screams potential when it gets a mega.
Regional Variants: Permanent changes
Given the inherent nature of regional forms, which are inspired by real-world evolution, Alolan and Galarian forms are not temporary upgrades for select creatures. These Pokémon forms are as constant as their originals, along with their different stat sets.
Some Mega Evolutions also feature type changes, like Mega Gyarados and Mega Charizard X, but regional variants take advantage of this as a base change that stays with the species in question. In particular, making changes to the skin is more appealing here than in Megas, since you're not limited to one disposable item per fight.
Mega Evolutions: Items that can be acquired after the game
While it's not the ideal way for Megas to return, they could still return like they did in Gen 7. Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon didn't introduce any new Mega Evolutions, but did bring them back as post-game purchasable items.
It would be a last resort, but considering Game Freak removed them for Gen 8, bringing back the existing ones would be a start. Likewise, they could be on the market for any Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl post-game battle setup, as they offer power spikes and, for example, the Battle Tower is more difficult.
Regional variants: Potential for more creativity
In terms of character/creature design, one could argue that regional variants have more potential for creativity than mega evolutions. As previously mentioned, regional forms can apply to an entire evolutionary line of Pokémon, or just to the last species in the line. Meanwhile, megas generally applies to a single species.
RELATED:
Of course, Charizard and Mewtwo are exceptions as they each have two forms, but they can create alternate monster skins for at least three species in a row (or more depending on whether Game Freak plays offshoot evolutions like Slowbro/Slowking). opens up more possibilities.
Mega Evolutions: New Megas only after the game
One way to balance the inclusion in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl similar to Gen 7 could be to create some new forms that are also part of the post-game content. That might be worth it though, as post-game content is also something the main Pokemon series has been missing since XandY.
In addition to the megas already created, a few more would freshen things up, but also wouldn't take too much attention from the game's fidelity. Aside from being purchasable items, they can also be part of a short post-game side quest that gives players more to do after the credits roll.
Regional Variants: Shapes inspired by Sinnoh
As remakes of Diamond and Pearl, the Sinnoh region offers an opportunity to envision new regional variants of existing Pokémon inspired by the region's snowy terrain. While not all of Sinnoh is covered in snow, Snowpoint City, the routes leading there, and Mt. Coronet are certainly snow-covered examples of important parts of this world.
The hypothetical "Sinnoh forms" were not meant to be just local species, but perhaps some could be made. More importantly, though, it would be nice to get creatures from (presumably) generations one through three Ice-type variants. Types other than ice should be tried, but the snow theme can be selected.
Mega Evolutions: Most of the footwork is done
Speaking of forms that have been around since the sixth generation, there are already 48 of them. Also, 46 of the 48 are Gen 1-4, so it's all about tinkering with existing 3D models of said Pokemon for BD/SP. The other two are from generations five and six, and since it seems likely that only the first 493 species will return, the other two can be removed and still make a solid selection of mega evolutions.
RELATED:
If there is interest in new forms, the basis for 46 viable species is largely in place. And, as mentioned, given ILCA's focus on fidelity, they wouldn't need to interfere with major plot points.
Regional Variants: Reduces the effort required to create new species
The Pokémon franchise recently turned 25, and in that time hundreds of new creatures have been created for the games, specifically for the mainline. 2019's SwordandShield marks the eighth generation, bringing the total number of original species to almost 900. After 25 years of design and almost 1,000 of them, regional variants could be the answer to lighten the load and keep things fresh.
Given how easily the concept fits into the above world and gameplay, it's a new feature and exciting enough that there's less need to produce 100+ new skins. Introducing 80-90 new Pokemon and 25-30 regional variants is a good trading formula for making the old new again.
NEXT:Pokémon: 10 dual-type dragon creatures to try