Event Pokémon

Event redirects here. For Pokéwalker course, see Rally (Pokéwalker Route).

Event Pokémon are Pokémon that are distributed at promotional events organized by Nintendo, such as movie premieres, expositions, festivals, places like PokéPark, real-life Pokémon Center stores, and sometimes found in bonus disks or specially transferred from another game.

Event-exclusive Pokémon species

See also: Category:Promotion-only Pokémon

From the very beginning, there were Pokémon that were made not obtainable in the initially-released pair of main series games, making these species of Pokémon only legitimately obtainable from Nintendo's promotional event distributions. In later generations, some of these event-exclusive Pokémon became available through side games. However, besides these games, these Pokémon can only be obtained from events, or for some, they can only be caught in the games after an in-game event is unlocked through a real-world event.

Generation I

Pokémon	Games				Methods
Mew	R	G	B	Y	Nintendo events, historically through a direct trade

Generation II

Pokémon	Games			Methods
Celebi	G	S	C	The Japanese Pokémon Mobile System GB to obtain a GS Ball, to be used in Ilex Forest
	G	S	C	Nintendo Power special promo
	G	S	C	Direct trade

Generation III

Pokémon	Games					Methods
Mew	R	S	FR	LG	E	Old Sea Map e-card from Nintendo events to access Faraway Island
	R	S	FR	LG	E	Other giveaways
Lugia	R	S	FR	LG	E	MysticTicket e-card from Nintendo events to access Navel Rock
	R	S	FR	LG	E	Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness after purifying Shadow Lugia
	R	S	FR	LG	E	Other giveaways
Ho-Oh	R	S	FR	LG	E	MysticTicket e-card from Nintendo events to access Navel Rock
	R	S	FR	LG	E	Pokémon Colosseum after purifying all Shadow Pokémon and finishing Mt. Battle
	R	S	FR	LG	E	Other giveaways
Celebi	R	S	FR	LG	E	Japanese Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Disc
	R	S	FR	LG	E	Other giveaways
Jirachi	R	S	FR	LG	E	Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Disc
	R	S	FR	LG	E	Transfer from Pokémon Channel (PAL version only) after completing the game
	R	S	FR	LG	E	Other giveaways
Deoxys	R	S	FR	LG	E	AuroraTicket e-card from Nintendo events to access Birth Island
	R	S	FR	LG	E	Other giveaways

Generation IV

Pokémon	Games					Methods
Mew	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Transfer 999 Pokémon to My Pokémon Ranch
	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Other giveaways
Celebi	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Giveaways
Jirachi	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Giveaways
Deoxys	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs after finishing a Special Mission
	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Other giveaways
Phione	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Breed Manaphy
	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Transfer 250 Pokémon to My Pokémon Ranch
Manaphy	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Transfer Pokémon Egg from Pokémon Ranger after finishing a Special Mission
	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Transfer Pokémon Egg from Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia after finishing a Special Mission
	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Transfer Pokémon Egg from Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs after finishing a Special Mission
	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Other giveaways
Darkrai	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia after finishing a Special Mission
	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Member Card from Nintendo events via Wi-Fi or Wireless Communications to access Newmoon Island
	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Other giveaways
Shaymin	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs after finishing a Special Mission
	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Oak's Letter from Nintendo events via Wi-Fi or Wireless Communications to access Flower Paradise and the Gracidea
	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Other giveaways, which can access the Gracidea
Arceus	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Azure Flute (not legitimately obtainable) to access the Hall of Origin
	D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Other giveaways

Generation V

Pokémon	Games				Methods
Darkrai	B	W	B2	W2	Giveaways
Shaymin	B	W	B2	W2	Giveaway
Arceus	B	W	B2	W2	Giveaways
Victini	B	W	B2	W2	Liberty Pass from Nintendo events via Wi-Fi or Wireless Communications to access Liberty Garden
	B	W	B2	W2	Other giveaways
Zorua	B	W	B2	W2	Event in Castelia City activated by a fateful encounter Celebi
	B	W	B2	W2	Receiving as a gift from Rood (only one).
Zoroark	B	W	B2	W2	Event in Lostlorn Forest activated by any one fateful encounter Shiny legendary beast
	B	W	B2	W2	Other giveaways
Keldeo	B	W	B2	W2	Giveaway
Meloetta	B	W	B2	W2	Giveaway
Genesect	B	W	B2	W2	Giveaway

Nintendo promotional event Pokémon

Periodically, Nintendo hosts or sponsors parties and events for fans, often in connection to the premiere of a new game or movie. They are especially notable in that certain rare Pokémon and items in the games, as well as cards and other things, are only available for a limited time from them. The methods used to transfer Pokémon and items to a game have varied over time, and include direct link trading and physical reception from an e-Card via Mystery Events. Wireless reception from a Wonder Spot and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection via Mystery Gift and the use of a distribution cartridge were also used. Other methods may occur in the future.

They typically have a special OT and ID number, indicating their authenticity, and usually a special promotional Ribbon from Generation III onward. In Generation IV, most event Pokémon were distributed in Cherish Balls, special Poké Balls that exist solely for event distribution. Event Pokémon are usually desired because they are hard or impossible to find in the games, holding a rare item, and/or know at least one special move that would otherwise be impossible to have via leveling up, TMs, HMs, Move Tutors, or even breeding.

All of the Pokémon with specific natures cannot have a different nature, gender, Ability or Shiny condition. For Pokémon obtained in Generation IV onwards, the dates do not need to be the dates the events were held. This is because the date is based on the one set on the DS.

Generation IV introduced the distribution of promotional events via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. At first, only key items were distributed. These items allowed players to enter areas normally inaccessible. Last June 2009, Pokémon began being distributed via Wi-Fi as well with the distribution of a Jirachi. Owners of the Japanese versions of the Sinnoh-based games, no matter where they are, may use Wi-Fi to receive the Pokémon. Later on, Japan began having distributions occurring simultaneously via events and over Wi-Fi. In March 2010, the Pikachu-colored Pichu became available for North American and PAL versions of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. This became the first event Pokémon to be available to non-Japanese games via Wi-Fi. Games subsequent to the Sinnoh-based games too are able to obtain Pokémon through this method.

There are very few countries or areas of the world where events tend to be held: Japan, the United States, Canada, South Korea, Australia, and various countries of Western Europe. While it is not unheard of for event Pokémon to be distributed outside of these countries, for whatever logistical reason, it is incredibly rare. Indeed, some countries may see several years pass between promotional events, and most have never had one held in their country. The establishment of wireless internet has made the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection a much better distribution model to reach Pokémon players around the world.

In Generation V, the Pokémon Global Link became a new method for distributing Pokémon, though Pokémon were still distributed through Wi-Fi. While not exactly of the same uniqueness (unlikely moves, Shininess, event Poké Ball and Ribbons, etc.) as that of other event Pokémon, Pokémon from Global Link promotions can be obtained by anyone worldwide, depending on the country they set on the website; some may require purchase of other products, however.

See also

• Distribution cartridge
• Pokémon Trading Card Game cards
  • Unnumbered Promotional cards
  • Wizards Black Star Promos
  • Nintendo Promotional Cards
  • ADV-P Promotional cards
  • Theater Limited VS Pack
  • Movie Commemoration VS Pack
  • Movie Commemoration VS Pack: Space Fissure's Deoxys
  • Movie Commemoration VS Pack: Aura's Lucario
  • Movie Commemoration VS Pack: Sea's Manaphy

Event distributions Event Pokémon distributions Generation I: Japanese • European language Generation II: Japanese • European language Generation III: Japanese • English • German • Spanish • French • Italian Generation IV: Japanese (local | Wi-Fi) • English (local | Wi-Fi) • German (local | Wi-Fi) Spanish (local | Wi-Fi) • French (local | Wi-Fi) • Italian (local | Wi-Fi) • Korean (local | Wi-Fi) Trading (GTS) Generation V: Japanese (local | Wi-Fi) • English (local | Wi-Fi) • German (local | Wi-Fi) Spanish (local | Wi-Fi) • French (local | Wi-Fi) • Italian (local | Wi-Fi) • Korean (local | Wi-Fi) Global Link promotions Generation VI: Japanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • American region (Nintendo Network | serial code) PAL region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • Korean region (Nintendo Network | serial code) Taiwanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) Local • Trading Generation VII: 3DS: Japanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • American region (Nintendo Network | serial code) PAL region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • Korean region (Nintendo Network | serial code) Taiwanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) Local Switch: PE Generation VIII: SwSh • BDSP • LA Trading Generation IX: SV Specific events: Gather More Pokémon! Campaign PCNY (Gen II | Gen III) • Trade and Battle Day • Journey Across America • Party of the Decade Other groupings: Movie events • 10th Anniversary • Tanabata • Undistributed Special Pokémon from games In-game: Gen I • Gen II • Gen III (RS • FRLG • E • Colosseum/XD) • Gen IV (DP ​• Pt ​• HGSS) • Gen V (BW • B2W2) Gen VI (XY • ORAS) • Gen VII (SM • USUM • PE) • Gen VIII (SwSh • BDSP • LA) • Gen IX (SV) Gift Pokémon (Eggs) • Wild Pokémon (Roaming Pokémon) • In-game trades (Hayley's trades) Game-based: Gen I • Gen II • Gen III • Gen IV • Gen VI • Gen VII Gen VIII (Wild Area News) • Gen IX (Poké Portal News) Other: Undistributed Non-Pokémon event distributions Gen III • Gen IV • Gen V • Gen VI • Gen VII (Game-based) • Gen VIII • Gen IX (Game-based) Global Link Other lists Notable ID numbers (Gens I-II • III onward) • Wonder Cards (Gen V • Gen VI • Gen VII) • Serial code prefixes