Pokemon Go Kanto Event Announced: Shiny Gen 1 Pokemon, Red And Green Versions, And Other Details

February marks the 25th anniversary of the Pokemon series, and Pokemon Go developer Niantic is commemorating the occasion with a special in-game event. On February 20, the studio will host the Kanto Tour, a one-day event featuring exclusive Research tasks and all of the original Pokemon.

As was the case with Pokemon Go Fest this past July, Niantic will sell virtual tickets for the Kanto Tour event. These will cost $12 USD and will give players access to an array of exclusive content, including a Special Research story that will lead to an encounter with a "special Pokemon." Those who complete the aforementioned Research line will unlock a second event-exclusive Special Research story. This line will be a longer-term commitment that will ultimately culminate in an encounter with Shiny Mew.

On top of that, Pokemon from the Kanto region will appear in the wild, Raids, and as Research rewards more frequently than normal throughout the Kanto Tour event, and ticket holders will have a chance to encounter Shiny versions of all of the original 150 Pokemon.

Version-Exclusive Pokemon

Ticket holders will also be able to choose between a "Red Version" and a "Green Version" of the event, which will influence what kinds of Pokemon appear in the wild. You can see some of the version-exclusive Pokemon below:

Red Version

Attracted to Incense:

• Ekans
• Oddish
• Mankey
• Growlithe
• Scyther
• Electabuzz

Possible Shiny encounters:

• Bulbasaur
• Charmander
• Squirtle
• Pidgey
• Ekans
• Pikachu
• Nidoran (F)
• Oddish
• Diglett
• Mankey
• Growlithe
• Ponyta
• Shellder
• Drowzee
• Krabby
• Hitmonlee
• Lickitung
• Scyther
• Electabuzz
• Eevee
• Kabuto
• Dratini

Green Version

Attracted to Incense:

• Sandshrew
• Vulpix
• Meowth
• Bellsprout
• Magmar
• Pinsir

Possible Shiny encounters:

• Bulbasaur
• Charmander
• Squirtle
• Pidgey
• Pikachu
• Sandshrew
• Nidoran (M)
• Vulpix
• Meowth
• Psyduck
• Bellsprout
• Geodude
• Exeggcute
• Hitmonchan
• Koffing
• Tangela
• Horsea
• Magmar
• Pinsir
• Eevee
• Omanyte
• Dratini

Early Purchase Bonuses

In addition to exclusive event content, those who purchase a Kanto Tour ticket by a certain date will get a couple of in-game bonuses. If you buy a ticket before the end of January 13, you'll also receive virtual tickets for January and February's Community Day Research stories. If you miss that deadline, you can still receive a ticket for February's Community Day if you purchase a Kanto Tour ticket before the end of February 3.

Non-Ticket Content

Even if you don't purchase a ticket for the Kanto Tour, you'll still be able to join in on the festivities. Throughout the event, all players will have a chance to encounter Kanto Pokemon in the wild and in Raids, whether or not you've purchased a ticket. You will also be able to complete event-exclusive Timed Research tasks, and the Legendary Pokemon Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, and Mewtwo will all be available in five-star Raids with exclusive moves.

Event Hours

The Kanto Tour event takes place on Saturday, February 20, and runs for 12 hours, from 9 AM to 9 PM local time.