Pokémon Legends: Z‑A’s Mega Dimension DLC puts Hoopa and new Megas front and center

Why Mega Dimension actually caught my eye

Pokémon Legends: Z‑A isn’t even out yet and The Pokémon Company is already talking paid DLC. That usually makes my wallet bristle, but Mega Dimension did one thing that pulled me right back in: it puts Hoopa at the center of a post‑credits story and brings back Mega Evolutions with a twist-two separate forms for Raichu, X and Y. For a game set in Kalos’ Lumiose City, the home turf of the original Mega mechanic, that’s a smart play with real nostalgic teeth.

Key Takeaways

• Mega Dimension is a paid DLC (29.99 €) that continues the story after the main game, with Hoopa driving the plot.
• Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y headline the return of Megas; more Mega Evolutions are promised.
• Mega Stones will be obtainable online-great for access, risky for FOMO if they’re time‑limited drops.
• Base game launches October 16 on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2; DLC release date is still TBA.

Breaking down the announcement (minus the fluff)

The pitch is straightforward: beat Legends: Z‑A, then dive into a new arc where dimensional weirdness hits Lumiose City and Hoopa sits at the nexus. That’s an easy sell for Legends fans-Pokémon Legends: Arceus thrived on side stories and post‑game hunts, and Hoopa’s portals practically scream “new areas, new encounters, new boss‑style fights.” Gameplay specifics are still under wraps, but framing it as a post‑credits expansion suggests meaningful content rather than a side cosmetics pack.

The real headline is the Mega comeback. Pokémon has flirted with and abandoned mechanics for years (Z‑Moves, Dynamax, Terastallization), but Megas are the one twist that still gets competitive and casual players buzzing. Splitting Raichu into X/Y forms is a deliberate Charizard callback, and it hints at divergent playstyles instead of a one‑size‑fits‑all buff. The company also says more Megas are on the way. In Kalos, that practically paints a target on fan favorites and could freshen teams without needing a whole new battle system gimmick.

The good, the questionable, and the gamer reality

Good: post‑game story content anchored by a strong mythical, a fan‑loved battle mechanic that fits the region, and online access to Mega Stones. The online piece matters—locking Megas behind a grindy single‑player gauntlet would have been a mood killer. If “obtainable online” means broadly available distributions (think Mystery Gifts) rather than micro‑events, that’s player‑friendly.

Questionable: announcing a 29.99 € DLC before launch. We’ve seen Pokémon sell expansions before, but usually after players had time with the base game. Pre‑release DLC messaging tends to kick up the “was this cut content?” debate, and honestly, I get it. If the DLC hits months later with a solid chunk of quests, new areas, and a meaningful Mega roster, cool—that’s value. If it trickles out with thin mission chains and a handful of stones, that price will sting.

Also worth watching: how “online” Mega Stone distribution is handled. Time‑limited drops create FOMO, and players who come in late hate feeling gated from core features. The best‑case is generous, repeating distributions or in‑game alternative paths so no one’s locked out of Megas they care about.

Kalos context: why Megas matter here

Legends: Z‑A returning to Lumiose makes the Mega revival feel earned, not gimmicky. Kalos is where Mega Evolution was born, and a Legends title is the ideal sandbox to reinterpret old systems. In Arceus, the post‑game became a playground for rare hunts and tough encounters; slotting Megas into that loop can create meaningful buildcraft, especially if Raichu’s X/Y lines genuinely push different strategies. Think overworld challenges tuned around burst windows and resource management, rather than just a flat stat stick.

One caveat for the competitive‑minded: Legends games traditionally don’t anchor the online battle meta the way mainline entries do. If you’re hoping Mega Raichu X/Y will show up in the central ladder of whatever the next tournament season is, wait for official rule sets. For in‑game hunts, boss encounters, and challenge gauntlets, though, Megas are perfect toys.

What players should do right now

• Set expectations: it’s post‑game DLC. If you don’t live for the endgame loop, you may not need it day one.
• Watch the details: how long is the Hoopa storyline, how many Megas are included at launch, and how Mega Stones are distributed online.
• Platform choice: Z‑A launches October 16 on both Switch and Switch 2. If you’re eyeing performance and smoother exploration, the newer hardware will likely be the better ride—but don’t expect feature differences.
• Avoid FOMO: if online Mega Stones look time‑limited, plan to log in for distributions, or wait for confirmation on repeat events.

Looking ahead

From a gamer perspective, Mega Dimension is the right kind of promise—Hoopa‑powered dimensional chaos and a mechanic that actually changes how you play. The price and timing are the sticking points. If The Pokémon Company delivers a chunky post‑game chapter with a meaningful Mega roster and sensible online access to stones, 29.99 € won’t feel predatory. If not, expect the community to call it out fast.

TL;DR

Mega Dimension adds a Hoopa‑driven post‑game and brings Megas back, headlined by two Mega Raichu forms. It sounds great, but the 29.99 € price before release raises eyebrows. Watch the scope of the story, the number of Megas, and how online Mega Stones are handled before you buy.