Pokémon Go is getting a change that fans have been demanding for years

Several Pokemon running through a field
(Image credit: Niantic)

Pokémon Go’s Mega Evolutions, the system through which you can temporarily upgrade your fully evolved pocket monsters, looks to be getting a major do-over, changing the stilted process for the better.

A recent datamine by backend explorers PokeMiners suggests Pokémon Go will be overhauling Mega Evolutions with a new leveling system in an upcoming update (thanks, Eurogamer). It suggests that you’ll soon be able to upgrade the temporary evolutions of your pokémon through a series of tiers, unlocking extra perks including additional XP, reduced ability cooldowns, and extra candy.

The datamine also revealed a Free Mega Evolution Icon, which suggests you’ll occasionally be able to upgrade pokémon to a new evolutionary tier without cost.

Necessary changes

A pocket monster being caught in Pokemon Go

(Image credit: Niantic)

Pokémon Go’s Mega Evolution system has been something of a sticking point for fans of the mobile game since the mechanic was added back in 2020. Currently, players need to collect enough Mega Energy to activate one of the temporary evolutions, earning the consumable resource by taking on specific Pokémon in Raid Battles.

Not only do those raids require you to find other players to join up with, but they also earn you notably little Mega Energy. You’ll need to complete multiple raids to get your hands on enough of the finicky resource to upgrade your pokémon. You can also earn Mega Energy by walking your Buddy Pokémon, but only after you’ve previously evolved them through raids.

On top of that, the Mega Evolutions only last for a few hours, leading some players to conclude they’re not worth the hassle.

The Free Mega Evolution Icons mentioned in the datamine suggest it will soon be easier to evolve pokémon without resorting to grinding raids. Further, a level system may make the benefits of such mega evolutions more permanent, and the rewards for achieving them more worthwhile.

Remember, these changes haven’t been officially announced or confirmed by Pokémon Go developer Niantic, and the exact tweaks may differ from what’s presented here. But the datamine does suggest a revamp to the much-maligned mechanic is on the way, which will be welcome news to Pokémon Go fans disappointed with the current system.

We can expect more details of the new system to be revealed in the coming weeks, through future datamines and official announcements.

TOPICS
Callum Bains
Gaming News Writer

Callum is TechRadar Gaming’s News Writer. You’ll find him whipping up stories about all the latest happenings in the gaming world, as well as penning the odd feature and review. Before coming to TechRadar, he wrote freelance for various sites, including Clash, The Telegraph, and Gamesindustry.biz, and worked as a Staff Writer at Wargamer. Strategy games and RPGs are his bread and butter, but he’ll eat anything that spins a captivating narrative. He also loves tabletop games, and will happily chew your ear off about TTRPGs and board games. 

Read more
Android 16 logo on a phone
Android 16 will bring these 5 upgrades to your phone – including one I can’t wait to try out
Nothing teaser image with a pixelated Pokémon
Is Nothing teasing a Pokémon collaboration with its latest cryptic launch hint? Or are we just chasing our (Nine)tails?
The promotional key art from Zenless Zone Zero Version 1.4.
I can't wait for Zenless Zone Zero Version 1.4, here's everything you need to know before it drops next week
Monster Hunter Wilds
I played Monster Hunter Wilds for seven hours and it’s now my most anticipated game of the year
Nintendo Switch 2
From a new Mario Kart to mouse-like controls, these are my six biggest takeaways from the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal
Man using Gemini Live on an phone.
Free Gemini Live update brings better conversation skills and understanding of accents
Latest in Mobile Gaming
Asus ROG Ally on blue background with lowest price text overlay
The Asus ROG Ally model I'd recommend to most people is back to a record-low price
Driver 3 being played on the AyaNeo Pocket Micro.
Ayaneo Pocket Micro review: a tiny Android tablet ideal for emulation
The Epic Games Store for iOS and Android.
Fortnite, Rocket League Sideswipe, and Fall Guys are available on mobile as the Epic Games Store launches for iOS in the EU and for Android worldwide
Key art for Age of Empires Mobile.
Age of Empires Mobile first in-game footage revealed, pre-registration open now
Two soldiers preparing for battle in the new Halo Infinite winter update
Xbox exploring launching its own mobile gaming store, Phil Spencer reveals
Hades
Award-winning roguelike Hades to release on iOS via Netflix Games next year
Latest in News
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
New Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge may have revealed some key details – including its price
WhatsApp
WhatsApp just made its AI impossible to avoid – but at least you can turn it off
ChatGPT vs Gemini comparison
I compared GPT-4.5 to Gemini 2.0 Flash and the results surprised me
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple officially delays the AI-infused Siri and admits, ‘It’s going to take us longer than we thought’
The Meta Quest Pro on its charging pad on a desk, in front of a window with the curtain closed
Samsung, Apple and Meta want to use OLED in their next VR headsets – but only Meta has a plan to make it cheap
The Apple MacBook Air next to the Dyson Supersonic R and new AMD GPU
ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from the best tech at MWC to Apple's new iPads and MacBooks