Summary
ThePokémongames have an extensive history of including “event Pokémon.” These are Pokémon that are commonly distributed over Wi-Fi events, or sometimes included in real-world distribution events. Historically,these Pokémon are created to commemorate an event or community milestone, while others are created to celebrate important times of the year. Whether it’s to acknowledge holiday seasons, the release of a newPokémonmovie, or to honor a professional Esports player, these events are always special and create a sense of magic in the community.
The Pokémon and items that players can receive in these events are usually hard to find outside of events, or sometimes impossible. They can provide fans with additional quests, Shiny Pokémon, and Legendary Pokémon. The catch is that they are, as the name implies, events - running for a limited time only.Once the window for these events has elapsed, they are no longer obtainableunless they’re re-distributed in the future. It’s always a good idea to be informed about which events are the rarest, to make sure they don’t go unclaimed if they are available once more in the future.
10The Eon Ticket, Latios & Latias
Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, & Emerald
In 2003, the Eon Ticket event was available for fans who ownedPokémon Ruby,Sapphire, orEmerald. The two ways of obtaining this event were by using an e-reader card, a data card that was distributed by retail outlets and Nintendo staff at events, or a link cable connected to an event distribution cartridge.The player had to use an e-Reader attachment to scan the distributed e-Reader card and add the Eon Ticket to the save file. With the correct equipment, this event can still be experienced today. Players can also share the ticket by mixing records with a link cable.
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Pokémon Emerald Version
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The Eon Ticket allows the player to board a boat to Southern Island to catch Latios or Latias.Both of these Legendary dragons boast impressive stats and diverse move pools, making them some of thestrongest Pokémon from the Hoenn region. Both Pokémon have since become available in other games, but to have one of these epic dragons from Southern Island is to have something very special.
9Oak’s Letter, Shaymin
Pokémon Platinum
Fans that purchasedPokémon Platinumcould experienceone of the first Wi-Fi event distributions. This was one of the four Sinnoh event items that would unlock additional content in the game, with the others being the Member Card for Darkrai, the Secret Key for Rotom forms, and the unreleased Azure Flute for Arceus. Players that had Wi-Fi that was compatible with the Nintendo DS could have obtained Oak’s Letter between April 2009 and May 2009 (Japan) or September 2009 to November 2009 (North America and Europe) and access the Flower Paradise area.
The Shaymin event in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl was a re-imagining of this very event
Pokémon Platinum version
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This allowed players to battle and capture the Mythical gratitude Pokémon Shaymin. Since this Pokémon isn’t shiny-locked inPokémon Platinum,it was possible to soft reset for a Shiny Shaymin, with a 1/8,192 chance, making this one of the few events that was able to be Shiny hunted. TheShaymin event inBrilliant Diamond and Shining Pearlwas a re-imagining of this very event, which also ran for a limited time and had the same features as the original.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Review: Faithful, Fantastic Remasters
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810-Year Anniversary Mew
Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilverare remakes of the classic Johto games of similar names. The remakes launched nine years after the original release ofGold and Silver. A short year later,an event for a special Mew was distributed over Wi-Fi to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the beloved Game Boy Color games. The event was available to fans for 2 weeks in October 2010, and included the original Mythical Pokémon that’sstronger than Mewtwoitself.
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Pokémon SoulSIlver Version
Mew was received in a Cherish Ball, a special type of Poké Ball reserved for event distribution. Additionally, it was level five and had an OT of FAL2010.This event included the first Pokémon to be distributed with a Premier Ribbon, which established the tradition of attaching special ribbons to event Pokémon. This is a tradition that can still be observed in events that are distributed today.
7Wishmaker Jirachi
Pokémon Colosseum’s Bonus Disk
Pokémon Colosseumis a roleplaying Pokémon battle simulator for the GameCube. It was released in 2003, and managed to incorporate numerous features that allowed for compatibility between the HoennPokémongames. By reserving a copy of the game before it was released, buyers would be given a bonus disk.This disk included plenty of Pokémon related news and features in addition to the Wishmaker Jirachi, created in celebration of the movie sharing the same name.
Pokémon Colosseum
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Unlike other events on this list, this event is not time-sensitive, but instead hardware-bound.Pokémon Colosseumbonus disks are reselling online nowadays for high prices, butobtaining one means that it’s possible to transfer a Jirachi to aRubyorSapphiregame cartridge. This can be completed once per cartridge save file, making it possible to “generate” multiple Jirachi to transfer up to newerPokémongames.
6The Manaphy Egg
Pokémon Ranger
ThePokémon Rangerevent that provided fans with a Manaphy egg is widely regarded as the most obscure event Pokémon in all the games, despite it taking place in a spin-off game. While the event is one of the very few non-time sensitive events, claiming the event nowadays is quite tricky. The event is hard-coded into all copies ofPokémon Ranger, but it requires a password to access. This password is constant and will work across all save files. However,the Manaphy egg can only be claimed once per physical cartridge.
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This means that if a copy of the game has already claimed a Manaphy egg, then it can’t ever get another one on that cartridge, even if the save file is reset. Once this egg has been claimed, it can be transferred to any of the Generation 4 games and hatched into Manaphy.This makes it one of the rarest events, although it’s theoretically possible in 2024. Additionally,Manaphy can be Shiny hunted, making it one of the hardest Shiny hunts inPokémonhistory.
5Shiny Diancie (Japan-Exclusive)
Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire
Generation 6 had multiple distinct events for the Mythical Pokémon Diancie, potentially due to the connection between Diancie, Carbink and the Kalos region. However, this Japan-exclusive real-world event Pokémon was very special,only obtainable at the Pokémon Center in Japan, during an event made to celebrate mega evolutions. Fans in Japan could claim this Mythical Jewel Pokémon simply by attending the event.
The reason this event in particular is so special is that it’s one of the few times that a Shiny Diancie has been distributed.Diancie is a Mythical Pokémon that has never been possible to encounter in the wild, meaning that the only way fans will ever obtain one is by the grace of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. Another factor that makes Shiny Diancie special is that Diancie is in the small classification ofPokémon that are able to Mega Evolve.
4Victini With Reshiram & Zekrom’s Moves
Pokémon Black & White
Being another Mythical Pokémon, despite originating from the Unova region, Victini is intrinsically rare and exclusively event-bound. The event that comes to mind for most is the Liberty Pass event, which debuted withPokémon Black and White. To celebratePokémon Movie 14,a special Victini event was distributed over Wi-Fi that had three special moves – V-Create, Fusion Flare, and Fusion Bolt. The two fusion moves are the signature moves of the Legendary Pokémon Reshiram and Zekrom, respectively.
Pokémon White Version
This was the first time that a Victini with this diverse of a moveset was distributed, and that short time, in April 2011, was the first of a very small number of times that this Victini was available. The last time a similar Victini was given out was June 2012. Furthermore,if any of the fusion moves are forgotten or replaced with other moves, they are unable to be relearned. Events with unique moves were available before this, but not to the same extent as having two Legendary signature moves.
3Regigigas & The Regi-Trio
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, andPlatinumin Europe, received an event in 2009 (2008 in Japan) that allowed players to claim a Regigigas, the king and crowned titan of the Regi Pokémon. If this Regigigas was added to the party of aPokémon Platinumsave file, thennew chambers across Sinnoh would reveal themselves, and house either Regirock, Regice, and Registeel. Each of these three Legendary Pokémon is otherwise only obtainable in the Hoenn region, or by special means.
Platinumwas released much later inDiamond and Pearl’s life cycle, so some fans might not have had access to the Generation 3 Hoenn titles
The intended way to catch Regigigas inDiamond and Pearlwas to transfer Regirock, Regice, and Registeel from Hoenn using the Pal Park method. If all three of these Pokémon were in the party, then Regigigas could be awakened.Platinumwas released much later inDiamond and Pearl’s life cycle, so some fans might not have had access to the Generation 3 Hoenn titles. It’s worth noting thatonly the event Regigigas fromDiamond and Pearlwill awaken the golems inPlatinum.
2Dada Zarude
Pokémon Sword & Shield
Zarude is a Mythical Pokémon from Generation 8 that has had limited event distribution. Additionally, aside from a real-world event in Japan,all events for Zarude have required a serial codeto be inputted in order to claim it. These promotional serial codes aren’t unique to the Zarude, and have been used in the past for numerous events. In Zarude’s case, the serial codes were distributed via the Pokémon Trainer Club.
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Pokémon Shield
The particular event in this entry is the Dada Zarude, created in celebration of thePokémonmovie,Secrets of the Jungle.Dada Form is a stance change specific to Zarude, where it is seen as being much more relaxed as opposed to aggressive. Furthermore, it can be seen wearing a pink scarf. Dada Zarude was last available inPokémon Sword and Shieldin 2021, with no further promotional codes being distributed since.
1Spiky-Eared Pichu
The Spiky-Eared Pichu fromPokémon HeartGold and SoulSilveris often regarded asone of the most memorable and unique events.Pokémon Diamond,Pearl, andPlatinumreceived an event that delivered a Pikachu-colored Pichu to the player. If this rare Pichu was traded toHeartGoldorSoulSilver, the player could take it to the Ilex Shrine in the forest of the same name. A Spiky-Eared Pichu would introduce itself and join the player’s party if there was a free spot.
The event distributing the Pikachu-colored Pichu ran throughout March 2010, and has not had any re-distributions since
This Pichu not only required a separate event Pokémon to obtain, just like the Sinnoh Regi trio, but was also a time-sensitive event. The event distributing the Pikachu-colored Pichu ran throughout March 2010, and has not had any re-distributions since. Additionally, the Spiky-Eared Pichu is rather unique due to the fact thatit cannot be transferred to more recent games. The Spiky-Eared Pichu will forever remain inPokémonHeartGoldandSoulSilver.
