Pokemon GO players have been spending the beginning of the new year looking forward to 25th Anniversary events, the latest of which was a special "GO Tour" that highlighted the Kanto region. Following in the footsteps of the GO Tour: Kanto's theme, trainers are being invited to partake in a Kanto Celebration which promises more opportunities to encounter Pokemon's original 151 monsters.
While the Kanto Celebration didn't introduce any new Pokemon, the aforementioned GO Tour event finished introducing the Shiny variants of all original 151 Pokemon to Pokemon GO. The Kanto Celebration event is also completely free-to-play, whereas the GO Tour: Kanto required a paid ticket.
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Among other things, like increased Kanto Pokemon spawns, special Incense spawns, and formidable Kantonian Raid Bosses, the Kanto Celebration invites players to complete a unique Timed Research challenge. The four-stage Timed Research gives players a relatively easy shot at some of the more popular Pokemon found in the Kanto region, as well as giving trainers a chance to stock up on coveted Mega Energy.
The Timed Research will automatically appear in players' "Today" tab during the Kanto Celebration, but players must complete the Timed Research before the Kanto Celebration concludes on February 27, 2021, 8:00 p.m. (local time). The Research Tasks and Rewards are as follows:
Part 1 of 4
- Power up Pokemon 5 times | Paras
- Transfer 6 Pokemon | Geodude
- Catch 20 Pokemon | Rhyhorn
Complete Part 1 of 4 | Onix, 3 Razz Berries, 40 Venusaur Mega Energy
Part 2 of 4
- Defeat 3 Team GO Rocket Grunts | Ekans
- Catch 2 Shadow Pokemon | Drowzee
- Catch 20 Pokemon | Koffing
Complete Part 2 of 4 | Grimer, 1,000 XP, 40 Charizard Mega Energy
Part 3 of 4
- Take a snapshot of a Water-type Pokemon | Staryu
- Catch 20 Water-type Pokemon | Shellder
- Catch 25 Pokemon | Tentacool
Complete Part 3 of 4 | Omanyte, 3 Pinap Berries, 40 Blastoise Mega Energy
Part 4 of 4
- Power up Pokemon 10 times | Porygon
- Send 3 gifts to friends | Jynx
- Catch 25 Pokemon | Eevee
Complete Part 4 of 4 | Aerodactyl, 2,500 XP, 1 Rare Candy
All Kanto Pokemon can now be encountered in their Shiny forms, so all of these Reward Encounters can potentially appear as Shiny. Shiny Jynx is rather elusive, Shiny Paras was recently added to the game, and Shiny Aerodactyl boasts a permanently boosted appearance rate, so these three are particularly worth the work.
This Timed Research isn't as expansive as some of the GO Tour: Kanto Research, but that was also a special paid event, so players should expect it to receive more content. Likewise, the Kanto Celebration does not grant access to Pokemon GO's first Masterwork Research, "All-in-One 151," which allows players to capture Shiny Mew.
Pokemon GO is available now on the App Store and Google Play.