Pokémon Go gets new Galarian Pokémon forms with Throwback Challenge

The next wave of Galarian form Pokémon are coming to Pokémon Go.

Galarian Zigzagoon, Linoone, Meowth, Darumaka, and Stunfisk are coming as part of a series of Throwback Challenges planned for the mobile game in May and June.

They aren’t the first Pokémon Sword and Shield variants in Pokémon Go. Galarian Weezing was added to the game months ago, but starting on June 3, more forms will be added to the game. Just like Alolan Vulpix, Grimer, and others, the new Galarian Pokémon will only hatch from seven kilometer eggs. Galarian Linoone can likely only be collected by evolving a Galarian Zigzagoon, but worry not — it uses the same candy as its usual form.

Galarian Zigzagoon’s final evolution, Obstagoon, has not yet been added to Pokémon Go and we likely won’t see it until other eighth-generation Pokémon get added years from now, based on patterns we’ve seen from Pokémon like Magmortar and Magnezone. Based on these releases, we can likely guess that Obstagoon will need a special stone in order to evolve, similar to the Sinnoh and Unova Stones.

The Throwback Challenge event will give players a set of Research Tasks to complete that are based on the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh regions. When you complete all four, you’ll unlock a Champion Special Research. While the tasks are active, more Pokémon from the respective regions will appear in the wild and from eggs.

The Kanto region research will unlock from May 1 until May 8. Shiny Venonat will be spawning in the wild, and Pikachu wearing Charizard hats will make their appearance.

The Johto region research will unlock from May 8 until May 15. Pikachu wearing Umbreon hats will be spawning and Shiny Dunsparce will be making its debut.

The Hoenn region research will open from May 15 until May 22. Pikachu wearing Rayquaza hats will spawn in the wild and Shiny Skitty will be spawning for the first time.

The Sinnoh region research will be open from May 22 until May 29. Pikachu wearing Lucario hats will appear and Shiny Glameow will become available.