Pokémon Legends: Z-A sparks controversy over its DLC and the total cost of the game: “This is crazy”
The “Mega Dimension” expansion will introduce new forms, but not without a price.
Last week, we had a Nintendo Direct full of announcements, including The Pokémon Company presenting some new titles and showing us a preview of what’s coming in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. New mega evolutions are on the way, and the upcoming DLC sounds like a very promising roadmap, although for some fans it’s just another example of companies’ need to keep generating revenue.
The expansion that will accompany Pokémon Legends: Z-A, titled Mega Dimension, will bring Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y. This is additional post-game content that will introduce these new forms. This isn’t the first time the series has received paid DLC: since its arrival on Nintendo Switch, this model has been present in Sword and Shield and Scarlet and Violet, adding both new Pokémon and more story.
Along with the announcement, it was also confirmed that the final forms of the three Kalos starters—Chesnaught, Delphox, and Greninja—will finally receive their own Mega Evolutions. However, this detail came with a big “but”: it was later revealed that to access these forms, it will be necessary to participate in online ranked battles, which requires an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription and consistency to beat other players.
Is it a high cost, or what has always been paid?
With the game priced at $70 for Nintendo Switch 2, plus $30 for the DLC and $20 per year for Nintendo Switch Online, the total cost comes to $120. This has caused annoyance for many users online: from the announcement of DLC before launch to the changes linked to an online service to the confusion that the content would arrive on the same day as the game—when in fact it will be released on February 28, 2026.
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On the other hand, there are those who believe that spending $120 is not so different from what some players already did in previous generations. Buying two editions to trade Pokémon and complete the Pokédex was common practice for a certain segment of fans, and in retrospect, it represents a similar expense, although not everyone was willing to take it on.
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