The Pokémon Company is releasing mythical Pokémon throughout 2016 to celebrate two decades of Pokémon. Mythical Pokémon are of the highest rarity, and are unobtainable under normal circumstances. Each Pokémon will be obtained at level 100. The mythical Pokémon will be available for Pokémon X, Pokémon Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Players will also be able to transfer any of these mythical creatures to the recently announced Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon when they launch later this year.
These Pokémon will be available free of charge and distributed over the Nintendo Network or at participating GameStop/EB Games locations. Each month’s distribution event can be found below.
February 1-24: Mew
Mew is the very first mythical Pokémon to be released in the series, first appearing i
n Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue back in 1996. It was extremely difficult to encounter Mew in the original games, and most players were only able to encounter it through a famous glitch known simply as the “Mew Glitch”. Mew was distributed through a download code available at GameStop and EB Games.
March 1-24: Celebi
Celebi is the mythical Pokémon of the second generation of games. It first appeared in Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver in 1999. It was only obtainable through a special event, so most players were never able to encounter it. Celebi, known as the time-travelling Pokémon, was distributed through the Nintendo Network.
April 1-24: Jirachi
Jirachi is the only remaining third-generation mythical Pokémon. Previously, Deoxys was the other mythical Pokémon of the Hoenn Region, but has since been made available through regular means in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, thus revoking its mythical status. Jirachi was first obtainable in Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire in 2002, but only by pre-ordering a copy of Pokémon Colosseum for GameCube or completing the Australian and European versions of Pokémon Channel for GameCube. It will be distributed over the Nintendo Network.
May 1-24: Darkrai
Darkrai is one of four mythical Pokémon from the fourth generation. It was first obtainable through a special event in Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl in 2006. Darkrai is known to protect its territory by causing trespassers to experience horrible nightmares. Its in-game skills reflect this trait, as Darkrai is the only Pokémon with the Bad Dreams ability, an effect that causes sleeping enemies to lose 1/8 of their health every turn. This Pokémon will be distributed through a download code available at GameStop and EB Games.
June 1-24: Manaphy
Manaphy is the second of four mythical Pokémon from the fourth generation. It was first obtainable under special circumstances in Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl in 2006. The only way to encounter Manaphy was to obtain its egg in Pokémon Ranger for the Nintendo DS. Unlike other mythical Pokémon, Manaphy is unique because it is able to breed. Even stranger is that its offspring, Phione, does not ever evolve into Manaphy – this dynamic is exclusive to Manaphy and Phione. Manaphy will be distributed over the Nintendo Network.
July 1-24: Shaymin
Shaymin is undoubtedly one of the cutest Pokémon of all time. It is the third of four mythical Pokémon from the fourth generation. It was only obtainable through a special event in Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl in 2006. Shaymin will be delivered in its standard Land Forme, but players will be able to change it to Sky Forme by bringing the Pokemon to a family on Route 123 in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Shaymin will be distributed over the Nintendo Network.
August 1-24: Arceus
Arceus is the final of four mythical Pokémon from the fourth generation. It was only obtainable through receiving a special event item called the Azure Flute in Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl in 2006. Arceus is known as “The Original One” because legends say it hatched from an egg and created the entire world. It has the highest stats of any non-Mega Pokémon in any Pokémon game, and is unique in the way that it can take on any type by holding special items called Plates. Arceus will be distributed through a download code available at GameStop and EB Games.
September 1-24: Victini
Victini is thefirst of four mythical Pokémon from the fifth generation. Originally, players needed to obtain a Liberty Pass in 2010’s Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version and sail to an island known as Liberty Garden in order to encounter Victini. The last event in which Victini could be met was in 2012, and no legitimate method of obtaining it has been found since. Victini will be distributed over the Nintendo Network.
October 1-24: Keldeo
Keldeo is the second of four mythical Pokémon from the fifth generation. It was first available in a giveaway event in Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. Like Shaymin, Keldeo has the ability to transform to a superior form. Keldeo will be obtainable in its Ordinary Form, but has the opportunity to transform into its Resolute Form if it is taught the Secret Sword move. It will be distributed over the Nintendo Network.
November 1-24: Genesect
Genesect is the third of four mythical Pokémon from the fifth generation. It was first available in a giveaway event in Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. Genesect was an ancient, fossilized Pokémon before it was reconstructed and enhanced by the notorious Team Plasma. The gang wanted to create the most powerful Pokémon in the world by adding technological enhancements to Genesect such as the massive cannon on its back. The Pokémon’s signature Techno Blast move can be powered up by collecting several Drives from a character in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Genesect will be distributed through a download code available at GameStop and EB Games.
December 1-24: Meloetta
Meloetta is the final mythical Pokémon to be released for the 20
Anniversary, and the final of four mythical Pokémon from the fifth generation. It was first available in a giveaway event in Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. Known as the Melody Pokémon, Meloetta is able to sing with a special vocalization method that can control the feelings of those who hear it. Meloetta is able to learn a move called Relic Song, which changes the Pokémon from its Aria Forme to its Pirouette Forme. In its Pirouette Forme, Meloetta is the fastest non-Mega Pokémon in any game. It will be distributed over the Nintendo Network.
On top of the monthly distribution events, The Pokémon Company promises fans that 2016 will be an exciting year with the 20
Anniversary celebration. The company recently announced that two new games, Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, are set to launch this year.
Little is known about the new games, but first footage will debut April 3 on the Japanese variety show Pokémon House.
