Niantic has announced its first celebrations for 2021 – a year in which Pokémon GO’s fifth anniversary coincides with Pokémon’s 25th. As it’s such a big year, we’re expecting a host of events across Pokémon GO, Pokémon Sword and Shield, and kind of hoping for a new Pokémon game to be released as well.
Pokémon GO has broken the seal first, announcing the Pokémon GO Tour: Kanto event which will run on Saturday, February 20 from 09:00 to 21:00 local time. The event obviously focuses on Kanto, the region from the original Pokémon games that started this whole phenomenon 25 years ago. All 150 Kanto Pokémon will be available in the event, and all of them will be available as shinies!
This is the first time some Generation 1 Pokémon will be available in their shiny forms, so stock up on PokéBalls and Razz berries, because you’ll need them. Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, and Mewtwo will be available in raids, and all of them will have their exclusive moves. This is the perfect time to get your hands on a Mewtwo with Psystrike – which we recommend as the best Pokémon in Pokémon GO in our battling guide.
The event will include Special Research, and when you complete it you’ll be granted a second Special Research line. This one will take a lot longer to complete apparently, but rewards you with a shiny Mew – so it’s worth your time!
You’ll also earn double candy for catching Kanto Pokémon, and one of the challenges includes catching all 150 of the OG monsters! Tickets cost US$11.99, or the equivalent in your local currency. However, there’s a small catch.
Next year marks both Pokémon’s anniversary and Pokémon GO’s fifth anniversary! To celebrate, we’re excited to announce an all-new ticketed event that Trainers all around the globe will be able to take part in—the #PokemonGOTour: Kanto event! https://t.co/pH1lcjfHH3 pic.twitter.com/dILT3hFJ0X
— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) December 8, 2020
When buying your ticket, you’ll have to pick between the Red version and Green version – each of which has exclusive Pokémon. Mirroring the time-old tradition of version exclusive Pokémon in the main series games, this is the first time Pokémon GO players have had to make the tough decision.
In the Red version, Ekans, Oddish, Mankey, Growlithe, Scyther, and Electabuzz will be attracted to Incense, whereas in the Green version, Sandshrew, Vulpix, Meowth, Bellsprout, Magmar, and Pinsir will be attracted. If you’re shiny hunting any of these, your decision may have been made for you, but each version also boosts the encounter odds for a host of other Pokémon. You can check out the full list in the official blog post.
We’re expecting many more events over the course of 2021, so this is just the beginning. After all, it’s a Tour, so maybe we’re headed to Johto next?