Just two months after the launch of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, developer Game Freak has released a substantial, premium DLC expansion titled Mega Dimension. Priced at £24.99, this add-on introduces a host of new mega evolutions and brings back numerous Pokémon absent from the base game. The release continues a long-standing, and often criticised, tradition of post-launch content for the franchise.
A Familiar Pattern of Post-Launch Content
For years, Game Freak's approach to extending Pokémon games has been inconsistent. While enhanced re-releases like Pokémon Emerald and Platinum are fondly remembered, downloadable expansions such as The Crown Tundra have struggled to garner the same affection. The DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet was seen as a step forward, yet it still felt non-essential, failing to fix core performance issues and serving mainly as a vehicle for new Pokémon.
Mega Dimension unfortunately falls into a similar trap. It provides little narrative context for its new arrivals, a missed opportunity to weave them into the world of Z-A. The plot revolves around a new character, Ansha, who spots the legendary Rayquaza and recruits you and Team MZ to help track it down. This leads to battles against rogue mega-evolved Pokémon, a highlight carried over from the main game's enjoyable boss fights.
New Challenges and Tedious Tasks
One area where the DLC does succeed is in providing a genuine challenge. Accessible only after completing the main story, Mega Dimension breaks the series' long-standing level 100 cap, allowing Pokémon to progress beyond it. The battles are significantly tougher, a welcome change for veteran trainers tired of being underpowered.
However, this increased difficulty is wrapped in a repetitive structure. The new content is accessed via randomly generated hyperspace portals, which merely transport players to palette-swapped sections of Lumiose City. This lack of new environments feels like a step back compared to previous expansions.
A particularly cumbersome new mechanic involves crafting special doughnuts to extend portal time and gain temporary perks. This process, which requires manual collection of ingredients and preparation, is described as a 'massive pain', evoking the slow-paced crafting of Animal Crossing. Furthermore, progression is gated by collecting 'Research Points' through bland survey missions, adding another layer of grind.
Verdict: A Step Forward, But a Small One
For dedicated fans who adored Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Mega Dimension offers more of what they liked: inventive new mega evolution designs and engaging real-time combat. The raised difficulty level is also a positive sign for the franchise's future.
Yet, the DLC's bare-bones plot, repetitive scenery, and intrusive side activities prevent it from feeling like an essential purchase. It serves as a reminder that while the Pokémon series is showing signs of improvement with titles like Z-A, it still has considerable ground to cover to reclaim its former glory. The expansion was reviewed on the Nintendo Switch 2 and is also available on Nintendo Switch, releasing on 10th December 2025 with a 7 age rating.
In summary, Mega Dimension is a mixed bag. It delivers on new content and challenge but stumbles on execution, resulting in a package that is appealing but not inspired.
