Does Pokemon /need/ a big mechanic to promote every gen to stay relevant? Megas, Z-Moves, and now apparently Armor transformations -- be honest, how would you have felt about Gens 6 and 7 without those things?

Personally I would've just welcomed cross-gen evos for mons like Mawile and Absol and then nerfed items like Eviolite. I like Z-moves for the fun you can have with status moves and charging attacks but not for regular attacks.