Mega evolutions are so last year. Now Pokémon is set to introduce a new type of evolution in Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, and it looks like they're of the prehistoric variety.
We first heard about the new type of transformation earlier this month but now Nintendo has officially released information on what they're calling "Primal Reversion." We're all already acquainted with what Primal Reversion looks like, actually. Astute fans noticed that the legendaries for the Ruby and Sapphire remakes, pictured above, looked somewhat different. For comparison's sake, here's what Groudon and Kyogre normally look like:
Both of these legendaries seem different from the shiny new legendaries in the first image, right? Well, the changes aren't just some artistic flourish: the legendaries on the at the start of this post/on the cover of the remakes are actually different. They're actually called Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon.
Normally, the legend for Kyogre and Groudon reads like this:
Long, long ago, there appeared in Hoenn two Pokémon of fearsome power. These two became known, in later times, as Groudon and Kyogre. When Groudon howled, the earth swelled and the land grew wide. The sun blazed overhead, and all the world around the creature was enveloped in incandescent heat. When Kyogre roared, water poured forth and the seas spread outward. Dark clouds enshrouded the world, and the deluge fell upon all...
Now, to accommodate their new (de)evolutions, their story has added this bit to it:
It was a primal age, early in the world's history. The natural world was overflowing with energy. That energy granted Groudon and Kyogre an overwhelming power. Seeking ever more of that energy for themselves, the two clashed again and again, and their battles cast the people and Pokémon of Hoenn into great danger. Brimming with the overwhelming power granted to them by nature's energy, their transformation was named "Primal Reversion" by later people. And the people called their tormentors Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre.
Makes sense, in a way: these Pokemon are supposed to be ancient, right?
Here's a bit more information about both legendaries. Primal Groudon is a ground/fire Pokemon, and this form of Groudon has a particularly powerful attack stat. Game Freak is not releasing information about Primal Groudon's ability, but they do say that he can control the weather—so it might end up being related to that factoid.
Primal Kyogre, meanwhile, remains a water type Pokemon—but it also gains a more powerful special attack. For now, Game Freak is also remaining mum about Kyogre's new ability.
Amusingly, both of the new Primal Pokemon are much bigger than their original counterparts:
Geeze, how'd they end up so small in modern times? Mysteries of the Pokemon universe, I tells ya.
We'll keep you updated on whether or not other Pokemon also have Primal Evolutions, and how this new type of transformation actually ends up working in the game. I'm guessing Primal Reversion will be limited to 'mon that are supposed to be ancient and could feasibly have had a prehistoric version exist at one point. Some Pokemon already technically are prehistoric, so there are many possibilities here. We'll see, though. For now, you can see in-game screenshots of Primal Kyogre and Groudon over at the official website.