Pokémon 20th Anniversary
The entire year of 2016 is set to be celebrated as Pokémon's 20th Anniversary, as February 27, 2016 marks the twentieth anniversary of the original Japanese release of Pokémon Red and Green Versions, and therefore the twentieth anniversary of the Pokémon media franchise as a whole.
Event distributions
Various level 100 Mythical Pokémon will be distributed to American region Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. The distributions also correspond to the release of merchandise related to the Pokémon in the United States.
| Pokémon | Duration | Method | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mew | February 1 to 24, 2016 | Serial code |
|
Celebi | March 1 to 24, 2016 | Nintendo Network |
|
Jirachi | April 1 to 24, 2016 | Nintendo Network |
|
Darkrai | May 1 to 24, 2016 | Serial code |
|
Manaphy | June 1 to 24, 2016 | Nintendo Network |
|
Shaymin | July 1 to 24, 2016 | Nintendo Network |
|
Arceus | August 1 to 24, 2016 | Serial code |
|
Victini | September 1 to 24, 2016 | Nintendo Network |
|
Keldeo | October 1 to 24, 2016 | Nintendo Network |
|
Genesect | November 1 to 24, 2016 | Serial code |
|
Meloetta | December 1 to 24, 2016 | Nintendo Network |
Super Bowl 50
The Pokémon Company International is set to air a new commercial advertisement on February 7, 2016 with the motto "Train On." during Super Bowl 50.
#Pokemon20
Posts with the hashtag #Pokemon20 on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube were selected and displayed on Pokemon20.com. The official website states that selected submissions "may get something special".
Pokémon Day
Special events are scheduled to be hosted on February 27, 2016 at retail locations across the United States. In Brazil, Copag will promote Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) tournaments at selected stores across the country, where players will receive exclusive products.
Toys "R" Us will have special foil Pikachu and Magikarp TCG cards from the new Generations set, a Pokémon activity book, and a poster with the original 151 Pokémon from the first generation.
Games
In addition to the following, Pokkén Tournament for Wii U and Pokémon GO are scheduled to be released worldwide in 2016. A physical release of Pokémon Rumble World and Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon are also scheduled to be released in Europe in 2016.
Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow
The Generation I games, Pokémon Red and Green, Pokémon Blue, Pokémon Red and Blue, and Pokémon Yellow, are set to be released on February 27, 2016 on the Nintendo 3DS on Virtual Console. Limited-edition Nintendo 2DS bundles and New Nintendo 3DS bundles are also scheduled to be released in Japan/Europe and in North America, respectively.
Pokémon Photo Booth
Pokémon Photo Booth is to be released in 2016.
Merchandise
Several merchandise items were made in celebration of Pokémon's 20th Anniversary.
Figurines and plush toys are set to to be sold exclusively at Toys "R" Us, Walmart, GameStop, Walgreens, Target, and specialty stores in the United States, depending on the item, being released throughout the year.
Clothing and other accessories are set to be sold from the online Pokémon Center in the United States.
