Pokémon GO’s Throwback Challenge begins tomorrow, plus other May events

by

Pokémon GO players have had to adjust to a more indoor-centric way of playing, but Niantic has continued to tweak the game to be more suitable for the ongoing health crisis. May will bring new events, notably the Throwback Challenge. Players completing research tasks will be rewarded with Shinx for their breakthroughs.

Do you ever stop and think about how quickly time flies? It feels like it was just yesterday that some of us were faced with the choice between Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle right before starting our journey through the Kanto region. Now, over 20 years later, some of us are still exploring the world of Pokémon in the Galar region. Whether your journey with Pokémon began in 1996 with Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue or in 2016 with Pokémon GO, let’s celebrate our collective Pokémon journeys together throughout the month of May!

From Friday, May 1, 2020, to Friday, May 29, 2020, you’ll unlock Throwback Challenge Timed Research lines. These Timed Research lines will appear in the Today View and will feature a sequence of limited-time tasks that you’ll have access to until a certain date. Each research line will have eight sets of three tasks.

Each week will feature different tasks themed around different regions of the Pokémon world, inspired by the adventures that some might remember from previous Pokémon games. Different Pokémon originally discovered in each region will also be appearing more frequently in the wild to help you complete these tasks. The featured regions will be Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. If you complete all four of these Timed Research sets, you’ll unlock the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research, in which you can earn Rare Candies, reward encounters with Genesect, Galarian Meowth and Galarian Stunfisk, Professor Willow’s glasses as an exclusive avatar item, and more. You’ll be able to complete all these tasks in an individual setting. See the schedule below for when each region will be featured.

    • Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto Timed Research: Friday, May 1, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time
    • Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto Timed Research: Friday, May 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 15, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time
    • Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn Timed Research: Friday, May 15, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 22, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time
    • Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh Timed Research: Friday, May 22, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 29, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time
    • Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research unlock and event– Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, June 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time

Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto

From Friday, May 1, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time, you’ll have access to the Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto Timed Research.

Let’s look back at the adventures in Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue together! From catching a Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle in memory of one of the most iconic choices Trainers had to make, to taking a snapshot of a Ghost-type Pokémon to celebrate the Ghost-type Pokémon in Lavender Town, there’s much to reminisce about from past adventures through Kanto! Complete all eight sets of tasks in the Kanto Timed Research to earn 10 Rare Candies and a reward encounter with a Mewtwo that knows Psystrike.

While the Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto Timed Research is available, you can look forward to the following features and bonuses.

    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region, such as Venonat and Chansey, will be appearing more frequently in the wild.
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region will also be available to battle in raids.
    • The following Pokémon will be hatching from 7 km Eggs: Venonat, Machop, Onix, Lickitung, Tangela, Scyther, Pinsir, Lapras, and Eevee.
    • In honor of Charizard being chosen in the Pokémon of the Year vote as the number-one Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region, Pikachu wearing Charizard hats will be appearing in the wild!
    • If you’re lucky, you might find a Shiny Venonat!
    • Event-exclusive Field Research tasks will reward encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region.
    • 2× Catch XP, 2× Raid XP, and 2× Hatch XP bonuses will be active.

Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto

From Friday, May 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 15, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time, you’ll have access to the Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto Timed Research.

Remember the adventures in Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver with us! Make Curveball Throws as a subtle callback to visiting the Whirl Islands, and catch a Water-type Pokémon in memory of the fateful encounter with the Shiny Gyarados at the Lake of Rage! Complete all eight sets of tasks in the Johto Timed Research to earn 10 Rare Candies and a reward encounter with a Ho-Oh that knows the event-exclusive attack Earthquake.

While the Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto Timed Research is available, you can look forward to the following features.

    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region, such as Dunsparce and Skarmory, will be appearing more frequently in the wild.
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region will also be available to battle in raids.
    • The following Pokémon will be hatching from 7 km Eggs: Chinchou, Yanma, Girafarig, Pineco, Dunsparce, Gligar, Shuckle, Skarmory, and Phanpy.
    • In honor of Umbreon being chosen in the Pokémon of the Year vote as the number-one Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region, Pikachu wearing Umbreon hats will be appearing in the wild!
    • If you’re lucky, you might find a Shiny Dunsparce!
    • Event-exclusive Field Research tasks will reward encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region.
    • 2× Catch Stardust and 2× Raid Stardust bonuses will be active.

Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn

From Friday, May 15, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 22, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time, you’ll have access to the Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn Timed Research.

The events of Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire were epic! Catching a Fire-type Pokémon will be like taking a nice, warm soak in the hot springs of Lavaridge Town, while catching a Normal-type Pokémon might remind you of battling against your dad at the Petalburg Gym! Complete all eight sets of tasks in the Hoenn Timed Research to earn 10 Rare Candies and a reward encounter with a Groudon that knows the event-exclusive attack Fire Punch.

While the Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn Timed Research is available, you can look forward to the following features.

    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region—such as Skitty, Zangoose, and Seviper—will be appearing more frequently in the wild.
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region will also be available to battle in raids.
    • The following Pokémon will be hatching from 7 km Eggs: Lotad, Slakoth, Nincada, Skitty, Sableye, Mawile, Trapinch, Feebas, and Clamperl.
    • In honor of Rayquaza being chosen in the Pokémon of the Year vote as the number-one Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region, Pikachu wearing Rayquaza hats will be appearing in the wild!
    • If you’re lucky, you might find a Shiny Skitty!
    • Event-exclusive Field Research tasks will reward encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region.
    • The distance needed to hatch an Egg once it’s been placed in an Incubator and the distance needed to earn Buddy Candy will be halved.

Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh

From Friday, May 22, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Friday, May 29, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time, you’ll have access to the Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh Timed Research.

It’s time to revisit the adventures we had in the Sinnoh region from Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl together! Power up a Pokémon as an homage to the Trainers’ School in Jubilife City, and take a snapshot with a Steel-type Pokémon you caught in remembrance of exploring the mines on Iron Island! Complete all eight sets of tasks in the Sinnoh Timed Research to earn 10 Rare Candies and a reward encounter with a Cresselia that knows the event-exclusive attack Grass Knot.

While the Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh Timed Research is available, you can look forward to the following features.

    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region, such as Cherubi and Glameow, will be appearing more frequently in the wild.
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region will also be available to battle in raids.
    • The following Pokémon will be hatching from 7 km Eggs: Cranidos, Shieldon, Glameow, Chingling, Bonsly, Happiny, Gible, Munchlax, Riolu, and Mantyke.
    • In honor of Lucario being chosen in the Pokémon of the Year vote as the number-one Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region, Pikachu wearing Lucario hats will be appearing in the wild!
    • If you’re lucky, you might find a Shiny Glameow!
    • Event-exclusive Field Research tasks will reward encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region.
    • One-hour Star Piece duration, one-hour Incense duration, and one-hour Lucky Egg duration bonuses will be active.

Throwback Challenge Champion 2020

Complete all four Timed Research lines, and you’ll earn access to the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research! Join Professor Willow as you rediscover Pokémon originally found in the Unova region and meet Pokémon originally discovered in the Galar region as they make their Pokémon GO debut. Complete all four sets of tasks in this Special Research to earn five Rare Candies; reward encounters with Galarian Meowth, Galarian Stunfisk, and Genesect; and Professor Willow’s glasses as an exclusive avatar item! Unlike the previous sets of Timed Research, this Special Research isn’t time-limited and can be unlocked and completed at any time.

From Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, June 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time, all Trainers can look forward to the following features, even if they don’t have access to the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research.

    • Galarian Stunfisk will be making its Pokémon GO debut! Find it in the wild, in raids, and as a Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research reward encounter.
    • The following Pokémon will also be making their Pokémon GO debut and hatching from 7 km Eggs along with their usual forms: Galarian Meowth, Galarian Zigzagoon, Galarian Darumaka, and Galarian Stunfisk. You’ll also be able to evolve Galarian Meowth, Galarian Zigzagoon, and Galarian Darumaka into their Galarian evolved forms!
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region will be appearing more frequently in the wild.

Did you catch all that? Many trainers are excited for the new Galarian forms to be introduced in the mobile title, as well as some of the shiny forms coming.

The weekly spotlights this month will feature:

    • Tuesday, May 5, 2020: Shellder will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the Stardust for catching Pokémon.
    • Tuesday, May 12, 2020: Sunkern will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the XP for catching Pokémon.
    • Tuesday, May 19, 2020: Poochyena will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the Candy for catching Pokémon.
    • Tuesday, May 26, 2020: Bronzor will be in the spotlight, and you’ll earn twice the Candy for transferring Pokémon.

Let us know what you think about the month ahead in the comments below! Or join us in the Discord server for discussions about both Pokémon and Animal Crossing!