Pokemon Go’s Throwback Challenge 2020 Is Full of Incredible Bonuses

Yesterday, a handful of Pokemon GO players on social media were reporting the appearance of something called Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto. Niantic came out to announce it was a mistake and that the details will come out at a later date.

It turns out that the date is today. Earlier this morning, Niantic revealed the full details about the Throwback Challenge in Pokemon GO. This event is going to include all regions from Kanto up to Sinnoh and it will run from May 1 until the first week of June.

Here’s a full breakdown of when each event is going to take place. All times are local:

Each event will have eight sets of challenges — four for the Challenge Champion quest — based upon the specified region. Upon the completion of each challenge, you will be rewarded with 10 Rare Candies and a legendary Pokemon that has a special attack.

Here’s a list of the legendaries you can catch for completing all the research tasks for their corresponding regions:

• Kanto: Psystrike Mewtwo
• Johto: Earthquake Ho-Oh
• Hoenn: Fire Punch Groudon
• Sinnoh: Grass Knot Cresselia

The Challenge Champion quest doesn’t focus on one specific region. However, Pokemon from the Unova and Galar regions will be appearing more often in the wild. You’ll also get the opportunity to add Genesect to your collection.

This marks the first time that any Pokemon from the latest mainline games — Sword and Shield — will make their way into Pokemon GO. This includes Galarian Meowth, Zigzagoon, Darumaka and Stunfisk. Better yet, you’ll be able to evolve those first three into their Galarian evolutions.

Just make sure that you complete the other events first so you can easily catch those new Pokemon. Fortunately, if you don’t finish the other events, then you’ll still be able to encounter the Galarian Pokemon in the wild.

Besides all these Pokemon encounter rewards, there will also be numerous bonuses and features that will make notable changes. The most noticeable change will be that Pokemon corresponding to the region of the current Throwback Challenge will be more common in the wild.

What’s more, Field Research that’s related to each region will start showing up when you spin Pokestops. On top of that, 7km eggs will feature Pokemon from the region of the current Throwback Challenge.

Here’s a full list of all the different 7km egg hatches that will be possible:

• Kanto: Venonat, Machop, Onix, Lickitung, Tangela, Scyther, Pinsir, Lapras, and Eevee
• Johto: Chinchou, Yanma, Girafarig, Pineco, Dunsparce, Gligar, Shuckle, Skarmory, and Phanpy
• Hoenn: Lotad, Slakoth, Nincada, Skitty, Sableye, Mawile, Trapinch, Feebas, and Clamperl
• Sinnoh: Cranidos, Shieldon, Glameow, Chingling, Bonsly, Happiny, Gible, Munchlax, Riolu, and Mantyke

Also, if you didn’t already have enough Pikachus, then it’s going to be a great time for you to get more. Each regional event will feature Pikachu wearing a different type of hat. The headwear is based upon the winner of the Pokemon of the Year voting for each region.

Here’s a list of each special Pikachu you’ll be able to collect:

• Kanto: Charizard Hat Pikachu
• Johto: Umbreon Hat Pikachu
• Hoenn: Rayquaza Hat Pikachu
• Sinnoh: Lucario Hat Pikachu

The following Pokemon will also be getting shiny versions starting during their regional events: Venonat (Kanto), Dunsparce (Johto), Skitty (Hoenn) and Glameow (Sinnoh).

Last, but certainly not least are the bonuses for each challenge. Here’s a full list of the bonuses:

• Kanto: x2 XP for Hatching, Catching and Raiding
• Johto: x2 Stardust for Catching and Raiding
• Hoenn: Hatch distance and Buddy Candy distance will be cut in half
• Sinnoh: One hour Star Pieces, Incense, and Lucky Eggs

If you would like to read the official release, then you can check it out on the official Pokemon GO site. If you’re interested in raiding from home, then check out our guide on Remote Raid Passes. For everything else, stick to Twinfinite.