Pokémon Go Kanto Throwback Challenge event guide

The first part of Pokémon Go’s Throwback Challenge, featuring the Kanto region, runs from May 1 until May 8.

Kanto region Pokémon are spawning in abundance and also hatching out of seven kilometer eggs. Pikachu will also be spawning with special Charizard hats. Shiny Venonat and Venomoth are also making their debut with this event.

Graphic: Julia Lee/Polygon | Image source: Niantic

Throughout the week, there’ll also be doubled XP gained from catching Pokémon, raiding, and hatching eggs.

There’s also a batch of Field Research tasks players can complete to encounter some Kanto region Pokémon:

The star feature of this event is the special Throwback Challenge tasks. Completing the Kanto tasks rewards you with a Mewtwo at the very end, along with some other rare Pokémon, like Aerodactyl, along the way. If you complete this set, and each upcoming set in the next few weeks, you’ll be able to catch a Genesect. Genesect was only available prior from a paid Special Research task set.

Throwback Challenge Tasks

Step 1 of 9

• Catch 3 grass-, water-, or fire-type Pokémon (10 Poké Balls)
• Take a snapshot of a bug-type Pokémon (5 Pinap Berries)
• Catch a rock-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Onix encounter, 1 Rare Candy, 2 Golden Razz Berries

Step 2 of 9

• Battle in a raid (Clefairy encounter)
• Transfer 3 Pokémon (10 Super Potions)
• Catch 1 water-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Starmie encounter, 1 Rare Candy, 2 Golden Razz Berries

Step 3 of 9

• Evolve 3 Pokémon (3 Great Balls)
• Hatch an egg (Snorlax encounter)
• Catch an electric-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Raichu encounter, 1 Rare Candy, 2 Golden Razz Berries

Step 4 of 9

• Give your buddy a treat (Gastly encounter)
• Send a gift to a friend (Dratini encounter)
• Catch a grass-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Tangela encounter, 1 Rare Candy, 2 Silver Pinap Berries

Step 5 of 9

• Earn a candy walking with your buddy (10 Ultra Balls)
• Make 3 great throws (Chansey encounter)
• Catch a poison-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Weezing encounter, 1 Rare Candy, 2 Golden Razz Berries

Step 6 of 9

• Take a snapshot of a ghost-type Pokémon (Hitmonchan encounter)
• Catch a fighting-type Pokémon (Lapras encounter)
• Catch a psychic-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Alakazam encounter, 1 Rare Candy, 2 Silver Pinap Berries

Step 7 of 9

• Take a snapshot of an ice-type Pokémon (10 Hyper Potions)
• Evolve a Pokémon (Aerodactyl encounter)
• Catch a fire-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Arcanine encounter, 1 Rare Candy, 2 Golden Razz Berries

Step 8 of 9

• Power up a Pokémon 6 times (1 Charged TM)
• Battle another trainer (1 Star Piece)
• Catch a ground-type Pokémon (500 Stardust)

Reward: Nidoking encounter, 1 Rare Candy, 2 Silver Pinap Berries

Step 9 of 9

• 3000 XP
• 3000 XP
• 3000 XP

Reward: Mewtwo encounter, 10 Rare Candy

Switch Lite

• $200

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Nintendo Switch consoles are often sold out, but you can still pick up the handheld-only Switch Lite, which is perfect for portable gaming.

• $200 at Best Buy

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