On July 28, 2025, mobile developer DeNA releasedPokemon Mastersin collaboration with The Pokemon Company. For itsfirst anniversary, the game becamePokemon Masters EXalongside the release of six-star EX Sync Pairs that let players upgrade some of their favorite characters to a more powerful tier with unique alternate colors. The second anniversary is following suit with the addition of a Dynamax mechanic based onPokemon SwordandShield, the first mainline titles to release afterMastershit the market.
The mobile game’s firstDynamax-capable Pokemon is Eternatus, paired with Galar Champion Leon wearing his “Sygna Suit” - a costume designed after the Legendary Pokemon. Eternatus plays an integral part in the limited-time story event “Howling Shield of Eternity,” which was developed specifically to explain why Pokemon in the game’s setting of Pasio have been unable to Dynamax (or Gigantamax) until now. However, the most interesting part of the story doesn’t center aroundSwordandShield’s Dynamax phenomenon. It also presents an interesting possibility for the return of a fan-favorite mechanic from the 3DS era: Mega Evolution.
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Any discussion ofPokemon Masterswith regards to the series at large should be prefaced by saying it’s questionable how canon the game is. The gatcha game is similar toFire Emblem Heroesin that it serves as a celebration of the franchise, letting fans try their luck at collecting an increasing catalogue of characters from acrossPokemon’s 25-year history. Most have dialogue suggesting the events of their individual games happened prior to them appearing on Pasio, but hardcore fans may pick up discrepancies.
For examplePokemon Crystalfemale protagonist Kris appears alongside her replacement Lyra from the Gen 2 remakesPokemon HeartGoldandSoulSilver. Characters fromPokemon SunandMoonalso appear alongside classic versions of Red and Blue, even though the duo appear as older versions of themselves inSunandMoon’s Battle Tree facility. It doesn’t help thatGen 6 Mythical Pokemon Hoopaplays a role inMasters' main story, and seems to pull in characters and monsters from different dimensions.
Even so, these crossovers makePokemon Mastersfeel like one big fanfiction, where disparate characters can interact and expose unique aspects of themselves in spite of the game’s basic presentation. One standout example was seeingRed talk despite traditionally being a silent character.
One thingPokemon Mastersexpands upon in a largely positive way is Mega Evolution. The mechanic was added inPokemon XandY, allowing some monsters to achieve a temporary, often more powerful form for the remainder of a battle if they were equipped with a Mega Stone. Those original games suggest Mega Evolution is the result of energy from Xerneas or Yveltal having been released by the ultimate weapon in Geosenge Town thousands of years prior to the main story, though inOmega RubyandAlpha Sapphireit also appears to have a unique connection withRayquaza - the one Pokemon that does not require a Mega Stone.
Mega Evolution andPokemon SunandMoon’s subsequent battle gimmick Z-Moves were removed inSwordandShield, and the prior was a particular sore spot for many fans who appreciated the way Megas gave new life to often underutilized Pokemon. However,Pokemon Mastersretained both mechanics given the time of its release, and even suggests Mega Evolution is more widespread than just Kalos and Hoenn in its continuity. Johto Elite Four member Karen can use Mega Houndoom, for instance. New Megas are also still being introduced, with Hoenn Elite Four member Sidney being added alongside Mega Absol just before the Dynamax mechanic.
“Howling Shield of Eternity” centers around Eternatus appearing on Pasio around the same time asSwordandShieldrival character Hop(who can be recruited alongside Zamazenta by anyone who completes the event). Multiple characters suggest Eternatus seems to be in pain, unable to absorb the energy it uses to sustain its life, and as a result it begins releasing the Galar Particles that allow the Dynamax phenomenon to occur.
An interesting discussion takes place midway through the event when players go toPokemon Masters' Professor Bellis with Hop, his brother Leon, and others. It turns out Bellis has joined up with Kalos' Professor Sycamore to research the game’s Sync Stones, an item that facilitates the bond between each trainer and their Pokemon to allow for more powerful Sync Moves during a battle. Sycamore is interested in Sync Stones because they create the kind of energy needed forMega Evolution, as well as Z-Movesand - as it turns out - Dynamaxing.
This leads to the climax of the event, in which Leon realizes he can use a Sync Move to convert his stone’s nebulous energy into something Eternatus can consume, pacifying the Legendary and encouraging it to team up with the nigh-unbeatable Champion. When Sycamore talks about his Mega Evolution energy hypothesis, Hop remarks that he’s read about the phenomenon in books atProfessor Sonia’s lab in Wedgehurst, where he’s training to become a professor. Again,Pokemon Mastersmay not be the most reliable source, but this has big implications assuming anything the characters discuss prior to joining the mobile game is legitimate.
There have been rumors thatPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlmight bring Mega Evolution back, which would be fitting with Champion Cynthia’s lead Pokemon Garchomp and Sinnoh being the home region of Mega-capable poster child Lucario.SwordandShieldremoving the mechanic made this possibility questionable, especially going with theories posited byOmega RubyandAlpha Sapphirethat some games (namely the originalRubyandSapphire) can’t have Megas because they exist in a different universe.
Yet, if DeNA presumably got Game Freak and The Pokemon Company to sign off on the idea that Mega Evolution does exist inSwordandShield’s universe, even if it doesn’t appear in-game, that could mean big things going forward. Niantic has also addedMega Evolution inPokemon GO, so Mega Evolution’s death may have been greatly exaggerated. This means future titles could still plausibly bring the mechanic back into the fold, rectifying what some fans feel was a big mistake.
Pokemon Masters EXis available now on Android and iOS devices.
