It’s almost hard to believe that Pokémon Go is fast approaching its third anniversary.
The AR-powered sensation first booted online back in July of 2016, and since then, it’s grown immeasurably – so much so, in fact, that Nintendo and The Pokémon Company recently notched $2 billion in revenue from mobile games. Sure, Shuffle Mobile, Pokémon Duel, Pokémon Quest, Pokémon: Magikarp Jump, and Pokémon TCG Online all contributed to that overall cume, but that vast majority can be traced back to Pokémon Go and its legions of trainers across the globe.
To their credit, developer Niantic has added a series of endgame features to ensure players keep logging back into Pokémon Go long after they’ve reached level 40 – i.e. mini-events like the Community Days or the soon-to-be-released Legendary Lunch Hour.
Another bonus is the coveted Shiny Pokémon, which are added into the mobile game periodically. But we’ve come a long way since players were just roaming the lands in search of Magikarp and Gyarados – now the vast majority of critters are available to collect:
Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur
Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard
Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise (plus costumed variants)
Caterpie, Metapod, Butterfree
Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot
Rattata, Ratticate
Pichu, Pikachu, Raichu (plus costumed variants and Alolan Raichu)
Sandshrew, Sandslash
Nidoran (F), Nidorina, Nidoqueen
Cleffa, Clefairy, Clefable
Psyduck, Golduck
Growlithe, Arcanine
Geodude, Graveler, Golem
Ponyta, Rapidash
Those rare, variant-colored Pokémon are certainly hard to come by, but now that Niantic has added so many, it shouldn’t be too long before you encounter a shiny version of your favorite companion.
Magnemite, Magneton
Grimer, Muk
Shellder, Cloyster
Gastly, Haunter, Gengar
Drowsee, Hypno
Krabby, Kingler
Cubone, Marowak (and Alolan Marowak)
Smoochum, Jynx
Elekid, Electabuzz, Electivire
Magby, Magmar, Magmortar
Pinsir
Magikarp, Gyarados
Eevee, Vaporeon, Flareon, Jolteon, Espeon, Umbreon
Omanyte, Omastar
Kabuto, Kabutops
Aerodactyl
Articuno
Zapdos
Moltres
Dratini, Dragonair, Dragonite
Chikorita, Bayleef, Meganium
Cyndaquil, Quilava, Typhlosion
Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr
Togepi, Togetic, Togekiss
Natu, Xatu
Mareep, Flaaffy, Ampharos
Azurill, Marill, Azumarill
Sunkern, Sunflora
Murkrow, Honchkrow
Misdreavus, Mismagius
Wynaut, Wobbuffett
Pineco, Forretress
Snubbull, Granbull
Swinub, Piloswine, Mamoswine
Delbird
Houndour, Houndoom
Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar
Lugia
And finally, one last batch for good measure:
Ho-Oh
Poochyena, Mightyena
Zigzagoon, Linoone
Taillow, Swellow
Wingull, Pelipper
Makuhita, Hariyama
Sableye
Mawile
Aron, Larion, Aggron
Meditite, Medicham
Plusle, Minun
Budew, Roselia, Roserade
Wailmer, Wailord
Spoink, Grumpig
Swablu, Alteria
Feebas, Milotec
Shuppet, Banette
Duskull, Dusclops, Dusknoir
Absol
Snorunt, Glalie, Froslass
Clamperl, Huntail, Gorebyss
Luvdisc
Beldum, Metang, Metagross
Latias
Kyogre
Groudon
Shinx, Luxio, Luxray
Drifloon, Drifblim
Meltan, Melmetal
As you’ll no doubt be able to notice, these shiny Pokémon are pulled from the early generations of Nintendo’s series, so don’t be expecting Grookey, Scorbunny and/or Sobble to be added into the mix anytime soon – at least not until Sword and Shield touch down later this year.