Pokémon X vs Pokémon Y: Which to Buy (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Buy Pokémon X if you want Mega Charizard X, the Dragon/Fire-type powerhouse, and Xerneas, the radiant Fairy-type legendary.
Buy Pokémon Y if you want Mega Charizard Y, the sun-summoning Fire/Flying sweeper, and Yveltal, the fearsome Dark/Flying destroyer.
Both games launched on October 12, 2013 on Nintendo 3DS. They share the same Kalos adventure and introduce the same features: the Fairy type, Mega Evolution, and 69 new Pokémon. The only permanent differences are the version-exclusive Pokémon, their Mega Stones, and the two legendary mascots.
At a glance
| Pokémon X | Pokémon Y | |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | October 12, 2013 | October 12, 2013 |
| Platform | Nintendo 3DS | Nintendo 3DS |
| Region | Kalos | Kalos |
| Legendary mascot | Xerneas (Fairy) | Yveltal (Dark/Flying) |
| Mega Charizard | Charizard X (Dragon/Fire) | Charizard Y (Fire/Flying) |
| Mega Mewtwo | Mewtwo X (Psychic/Fighting) | Mewtwo Y (Psychic) |
| Version-only Pokémon (sample) | Clauncher, Swirlix, Pinsir | Skrelp, Spritzee, Heracross |
| Original MSRP | $39.99 (2013) | $39.99 (2013) |
| Observed secondhand price | From $33.99 (Oct 25, 2026) | From $39.99 (Oct 25, 2026) |
DexHaul is independent and unofficial; not affiliated with Nintendo, Game Freak, or The Pokémon Company. Prices are observed storefront prices from independent sellers and change daily.
On this page 5 sections
Where Pokémon X wins
Mega Charizard X: the Dragon-type Charizard
Pokémon X includes Charizardite X, the Mega Stone that transforms Charizard into Mega Charizard X. It switches Charizard's typing to Dragon/Fire and grants the Tough Claws ability, boosting contact moves like Dragon Claw by 30%.
The Dragon typing trades Charizard's old Flying type for something more powerful offensively. It also removes the 4x weakness to Rock that plagued standard Charizard, replacing it with a Dragon weakness instead.
If Dragon-type Pokémon are your preference, Pokémon X is the clear pick. Mega Charizard X cannot be obtained in a Y cartridge through normal gameplay, even with trading.
Xerneas: Fairy-type sweeper with Geomancy
Xerneas is the only legendary in this generation with the Geomancy move. One use of Geomancy, combined with a Power Herb, doubles Xerneas's Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed in a single turn.
That combination made Xerneas one of the most feared Pokémon in competitive play for years. It hits hard with Fairy-type moves that are super effective against Dragon, Dark, and Fighting types.
Clauncher and Swirlix
Two of X's exclusive species have loyal fan followings. Clauncher evolves into Clawitzer, a Water-type with Mega Launcher that boosts pulse moves like Water Pulse dramatically.
Swirlix, the Cotton Candy Pokémon, evolves into Slurpuff and was a popular Belly Drum sweeper in competitive play. Both can be obtained in Y only by trading with an X player.
Where Pokémon Y wins
Mega Charizard Y: the competitive sun setter
Charizardite Y turns Charizard into Mega Charizard Y, which gains the Drought ability. Drought summons intense sunshine the moment Mega Charizard Y enters the field, boosting Fire-type moves and powering up Solar Beam so it charges instantly.
In competitive VGC play, Mega Charizard Y was dominant for years. Its combination of drought, massive Special Attack, and Fire Blast made it the default Charizard choice for tournament play from 2014 through the Gen 6 era.
Mega Charizard Y also keeps Charizard's original Fire/Flying typing, so it handles Grass and Bug types just as well as ever.
Yveltal: the aggressive Dark/Flying legendary
Yveltal absorbs the life energy of everything around it, storing it in its wings. Its signature move, Oblivion Wing, steals 75% of the damage dealt as HP, making Yveltal one of the most self-sustaining attackers in the game.
Dark/Flying is an aggressive type pairing. Yveltal trades the Fairy immunity that Xerneas represents for raw offensive threat, hitting hard with Dark Pulse and Hurricane.
Spritzee and Heracross
Spritzee evolves into Aromatisse, a bulky Fairy-type with solid Special Defense. Heracross, the Pokémon many Gen 2 fans remember fondly, is a Y exclusive with its own Mega form.
Mega Heracross (obtainable only in Y) becomes a slow but devastating Bug/Fighting attacker with the Skill Link ability, turning multi-hit moves into reliable damage tools. Pinsir's Mega form mirrors this in X, gaining Flying type and Aerilate.
The deciding question
The Mega Charizard split is permanent. You cannot get Charizardite X in a Pokémon Y cartridge, and you cannot get Charizardite Y in a Pokémon X cartridge through normal gameplay. Trading a Charizard from the other version does not help because the Mega Stone itself is the version-locked item.
That makes the choice straightforward for most players. Dragon/Fire Charizard points to X. Sun-sweeping Fire/Flying Charizard points to Y.
Collectors who love Pokémon's retro game library often pick Pokémon Y for its Yveltal design, one of the strongest legendary cover art in the series. Players who have been exploring the Kalos region since Pokémon Legends: Z-A (2025) often gravitate toward Pokémon X because Xerneas features more prominently in that game's lore.
For players buying both: X and Y complement each other well for completing the full version-exclusive Pokédex. Serebii's Mega Evolution guide for X and Y has the complete list of which Mega Stones are locked to each version.
FAQ
What is the main difference between Pokémon X and Y?
The version-exclusive Mega Stones for Charizard and Mewtwo, plus the legendary Pokémon. Pokémon X has Mega Charizard X (Dragon/Fire), Mega Mewtwo X (Psychic/Fighting), and the legendary Xerneas. Pokémon Y has Mega Charizard Y (Fire/Flying), Mega Mewtwo Y (Psychic), and the legendary Yveltal.
Can I get Mega Charizard X in Pokémon Y?
Not through normal gameplay. Charizardite X is exclusive to Pokémon X cartridges.
You can trade a Charizard holding the stone from a friend's X cartridge, but the Mega Stone itself is version-locked. The Pokémon is available in both games; only the stone is gated.
Which version is better for competitive play?
Mega Charizard Y was historically the stronger competitive Charizard form due to its Drought ability. Xerneas (X exclusive) was also a dominant VGC threat. Both versions offer strong competitive options.
Do Pokémon X and Y still work in 2026?
Yes, both cartridges work in any Nintendo 3DS system, including 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, New 3DS, New 3DS XL, and New 2DS XL. Online features require Nintendo Network, which Nintendo shut down in April 2024, but the single-player campaign and local wireless trading remain fully functional.
Which version is easier to find secondhand?
Both are widely available from independent game shops. Pokémon X tends to run slightly cheaper than Y at comparable condition levels, based on observed prices across secondhand listings in October 2026. Check the Pokémon Snap comparison guide if you are also browsing other 3DS and Switch titles.
Browse Pokémon video games at DexHaul to see current listings for both Pokémon X and Pokémon Y from independent shops, alongside other 3DS and Switch titles. DexHaul is independent and searches thousands of sellers at once so you can compare secondhand prices in one place.
Catch 'em all
More Pokémon X and Y listings from independent shops across the DexHaul network.