Highlights
- Cross-gen evolutions in Pokemon games allow underused critters to shine & take powerful ones to new heights, like Kingambit in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
- Some Gen 3 Pokemon like Mightyena, Delcatty, Volbeat, and Illumise would benefit from cross-gen evolutions in future games to unlock their full potential.
- Pokemon like Wailord, Claydol, and Tropius could greatly benefit from cross-gen evolutions in Gen 10 to further enhance their appearance and overall abilities.
Pokemon games from the mainline series are known to toy with gimmicks from past titles and add new ones with each generation, and while Gen 7's unique take on regional forms quickly became a new classic, cross-gen evolutions remain a fan-favorite. Unlike regional forms and other similar mechanics, cross-gen evolutions in Pokemon games allow some underused critters to shine or even take already powerful ones to new heights.
A primary example is Kingambit in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, which is an evolution of Bisharp, a Pokemon that didn't desperately need an evolution, but one that makes sense thematically, and it's cool to see. As with several other regions from the series, Hoenn's Pokemon could use new evolutions in future games, with Gen 10 being the most likely springboard. Not all Gen 3 creatures need or can even have evolutions, but some would benefit from this more than others.
Mightyena
Initially thought to be what Bloodmoon Ursaluna in The Teal Mask DLC for Gen 9 games really was, Mightyena is one of those pocket monsters that would make a lot of fans happy if it were to get a new evolution. Mightyena doesn't necessarily feel like it's missing a piece of the puzzle to unlock its full potential, but with many overpowered Pokemon in modern games being added, it would only make sense to take it to the next level.
Delcatty
Although it got a buff in recent games, Delcatty remains one of the evolved critters with the lowest base stat total (BST) across all generations. Its evolutionary line remains a cute one, but there are arguments to be made as to why a Delcatty evolution should make it into Pokemon Gen 10 games. From its typing being Normal to the move pool, Delcatty could find new meaning with a cross-gen evolution.
Volbeat and Illumise
Recently added to Gen 9 via Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's The Teal Mask, both Volbeat and Illumise are mostly disappointing creatures, especially since their type combination doesn't do them any favors. Volbeat's signature move in Gen 3, Tail Glow, was eventually given to other critters, and Illumise never had one to begin with. They also have rather low BST, meaning a cross-gen evolution for Volbeat and Illumise could be their best bet to enjoy some time in the limelight.
Wailord
Wailord is a massive Pokemon, so much so that it's hardly ever scaled properly in games - something that players were happy to see achieved in Gen 8's Isle of Armor DLC. Because Wailord is already enormous and it's not even a bad Pokemon battle-wise, it would be all the more epic to see it get an evolution in Gen 10. Game Freak could toy with its size and make it even bigger, but there are many other possibilities for this critter.
Claydol
Claydol would have been OP in The Teal Mask had Gen 9 included it, and as the only Ground/Psychic pocket monster in the entire franchise, it would be great to see it getting more love in new games. With Claydol and Baltoy's Pokedex entries talking about how they came to life when a mysterious light hit these clay dolls, a cross-gen evolution could have a lot of potential when it comes to its appearance design, and overall kit.
Tropius
One of the most interesting designs to come out of Gen 3, Tropius is a dinosaur-like creature with themes heavily inspired by its type combination, to the point that it also learned Fly. Despite this, Tropius never really managed to succeed either competitively or in casual play, and it became rather quickly a forgotten addition to the franchise. A cross-gen evolution in future Pokemon games could do it justice.
