Exciting Addition to Pokemon GO: New Pikachu Variant for Trainers

Amid all the exciting Pokemon news from the February 27 Pokemon Presents event, a special Pikachu variant called Pikachu, Ph.D. has been introduced to Pokemon GO. This new variant coincides with the launch of a new season in Pokemon GO called World of Wonders, which will run until June 1 at 10:00 a.m. local time. One of the highlights of World of Wonders is the addition of Poipole, the poison-pin Pokemon.

During Pokemon Go: World of Wonders, players will have the opportunity to complete special research tasks to unlock Poipole and participate in Shadow Raids, which are set to occur on weekends. These Shadow Raids will feature special Shadow versions of Suicune, Entei, and Raikou that players can try to catch, including the chance to encounter shiny versions. Fans who enjoy collecting Pokemon will likely be thrilled with the abundance of new content. While legendary Pokemon like Suicune, Entei, and Raikou can have shiny variants, it appears that Pikachu, Ph.D. does not have a shiny version available.

PokeStop Showcase Challenge Rewards

Pikachu, Ph.D.'s release is separate from World of Wonders, and it is one of the many new things happening in Pokemon GO. This Showcase update was released in celebration of the Pokemon GO "community's competitive spirit," a day ahead of the March update. In order to obtain Pikachu, Ph.D., players will need to make their way to their nearest PokeStops and participate in Showcases. Players who win 100 PokeStop Showcases will then be given the chance to encounter Pikachu, Ph.D.

pikachuphd - PokeStop Showcase Challenge Rewards

Bronze Medal (10 Wins): Headband

Silver Medal (25 Wins): Glasses

Gold Medal (50 Wins): Pikachu Ph.D. pose

Unlocking Pikachu Ph.D. will be a challenge for Pokemon trainers, even after enabling the encounter. However, participating in Pokestop Showcases will earn themed avatar items as rewards. The more Showcase medals collected, the more Pikachu Ph.D. apparel trainers will receive. For instance, earning the bronze medal (10 wins) gets a headband, the silver medal (25 wins) gets glasses, the gold medal (50 wins) unlocks Pikachu Ph.D.'s pose, and the platinum medal (100 wins) enables the encounter.

The introduction of improved PokeStop Showcases brings new season updates, allowing different Pokemon types to participate. Niantic, the developer of Pokemon GO, seems to have many more plans in store. Even nearly a decade after its launch, the service continues to thrive with frequent updates. It will be exciting to see if these updates hint at what we can expect in Pokemon Legends Z-A, set to be released in 2025.

Editor's P/S:

The recent Pokemon Presents event unveiled exciting updates for Pokemon GO, including the introduction of Pikachu, Ph.D., and the launch of the World of Wonders season. While the addition of Poipole and Shadow Raids adds depth to gameplay, the absence of a shiny Pikachu, Ph.D. variant may disappoint some collectors.

The Showcase update introduces a new challenge for players, requiring them to participate in PokeStop Showcases to earn Pikachu, Ph.D. and themed avatar items. This provides a unique way to engage with the game and collect exclusive rewards. The inclusion of improved PokeStop Showcases with different Pokemon types participating suggests Niantic's commitment to keeping the game fresh and engaging, even after its long-standing success.