The September 12, 2025 Nintendo Direct dropped like a Bombirdier bombshell for Pokemon fans everywhere. Not only did it show off new footage of Pokemon Legends ZA but it also revealed something entirely new which is a DLC called Mega Dimension. Hoopa tearing rifts, Mega Stones swirling into the void, and familiar faces returning to Kalos.
But then you realize that this is day one DLC and the celebration turned into debate. Should fans be excited about more content right away? Or should we be worried about what this actually means?
Should We Be Worried About Pokemon Legends ZA’s Day 1 DLC?
The short answer is yes and no.
On the one hand, more content means more Pokemon, more battles, and more to discover. On the other hand, announcing DLC before the game even launches hints at the possibility that parts of the game could have been cut and re-sold separately. The excitement is real but the concerns are valid and fans are right to ask.
First off, it is hard not to be hyped about what Mega Dimension brings to the table. Seeing Hoopa rip open portals while Mega Stones fly through the air looked cinematic. More Pokemon content is always a win in terms of gameplay value.
It is the kind of trailer moment that makes you reach for your wallet without thinking. In that sense, Mega Dimension looks like it will deliver thrills that extend the core ZA experience in glorious ways.
And then came the reveal that blew everyone’s minds! Raichu now has not one but two Mega Evolutions. Yes, plural. Just like Mewtwo and Charizard had their X and Y versions in the original Kalos games, Raichu is stepping up with dual paths of jolting Mega power.
One form looks sleek and futuristic while the other looks primal and electric. The thought of taking your own Raichu and supercharging it into something this epic feels like an electric dream come true. Fans have been dreaming of Gorochu for years and this might be it!
But that is where the worry looms in. Why is Mega Raichu locked behind DLC? Should we be concerned that Game Freak is cutting and holding off major content to sell to us separately? Mega Raichu feels like it belongs in the base game.
When players see such a highly requested form tied to a $30 expansion, the suspicion is that it was removed intentionally rather than added later. It is hard to shake that thought when the DLC is announced before the game even launches.
It gets even trickier when we consider the Kalos starter Megas. Greninja, Delphox, and Chesnaught finally got their Mega Evolutions, which fans have wanted since 2013. The designs are incredible but the path to unlocking them is locked behind online ranked battles which in turn require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
That means these iconic Mega trio are technically behind a paywall as well and suddenly fans are not just paying for the game but for subscriptions and expansions on top of it.
This makes the situation more worrying than just a DLC offer. The base game already costs $70 dollars then add in the $30 Mega Dimension DLC and Pokemon Legends ZA is shaping up to be one of the most expensive Pokemon titles ever if you want the full experience.
To put it bluntly, you are looking at a hundred-dollar entry fee if you want everything at launch and that does not even count the online subscription. For a franchise that built its identity on accessibility and inclusivity, that stings. A lot.
Of course, this is not the first time Pokemon has tiptoed around DLC. Sword and Shield had the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra expansions. Scarlet and Violet had The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero. But the big difference is that those DLCs were revealed after the games were already out, often months later.
Announcing Mega Dimension before Legends ZA even hit shelves creates a whole new level of FOMO. Fans are already being pressured to shell out extra cash before they even touch the base game.
Hopefully, Pokemon can find its way back to the old times. Buy the game, enjoy the journey, finish the story, and maybe get surprised with post-game content later. That model worked because it respected the core experience first.
Right now, the lines are blurring between what belongs in the main adventure and what gets held back for money. It is not a good look especially for a franchise that thrives on accessible quality and fan trust.
At the end of the day, Mega Dimension looks fun. The cutscenes will be flashy, the new Megas jaw-dropping, and the chance to dive deeper into Kalos is enticing. But fans should not be shamed or silenced for questioning why we need to pay more on day one.
Pokemon Legends ZA is still one of the most anticipated games of the year but Game Freak should be careful. If excitement turns to frustration, even Mega Raichu might not be enough electrify the hate.