During thePokemonPresents stream that was held on the franchise’s 26th anniversary, Niantic took to the virtual stage to show off a brief teaser trailer. WithPokemon GO’sSeason of Heritage having just ended, players now know that the Season of Alola will dominate the mobile title for the next few months. Between March and June, creatures that debuted in the7th generation games likePokemon SunandMoonwill slowly be introduced into the mix as a result.
Unlike previous generations, follow-up games that released afterPokemon SunandMoonsuch asUltra Sun,Ultra Moon, andLet’s Go Pikachu!andEevee!, all expanded the Pokedex further. As a result, 88 creatures and 18 regional form variations were introduced in the games that made up the franchise’s 7th generation. While Niantic has already added some of these, such as Meltan, Melmetal, and every Alolan form, there’s still a substantial number out there that the studio could add toPokemon GObetween now and June.
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Melemele Island’s Pokemon
ForPokemon GO’s Season of Alola, Niantic is dedicating several weeks of the event to each of the region’s Hawaii-inspired islands. Special research andPokemonfound on Melemele Island, for example, will be in the spotlight between now and March 22. It’s possible that creatures indigenous to each island will be added into the game, as the focus shifts to other areas. While it’s worth keeping in mind that Niantic won’t add everyPokemoninto the mix straight away, as evidenced bythe ongoing absence of generation 3’s Kecleon, it’s only a matter of time until every creature is available.
As it stands right now, most of Melemele Island’s 7th generationPokemonhave been added inPokemon GOvia the first wave of content. That includes the 9Pokemonthat make up the region’s starter offerings, and the Pikipek, Yungoos, and Rockruff evolutionary lines. Melemele Island’sLegendaryPokemonTapu Kokoand the Jangmo-o line found on Poni Island round out the current offerings. Considering how Niantic has penciled in a mysterious event for March 15, the following missingPokemoncould still show up there instead.
Akala Island’s Pokemon
The Alola region’s Akala Island, which will get its own special research quest-line inPokemon GOon March 22, is the place where most of generation 7’s creatures were first encountered inPokemon SunandMoon. Thanks to the island’s blend of mountains, forests, and farm land, 15 evolutionary lines made their franchise debut on Akala. While it’s unlikely that Niantic will introduce all of them intoPokemon GOat the same time, players should be on the lookout for some of the following creatures later this month.
Ula’ula Island’s Pokemon
From April 12, players will be able to access a set of special research missions dedicated specifically to Ula’ula Island. In contrast to the previous islands, only 8 creatures made their franchise debut hereinPokemonSun andMoon. What’s even more striking is the fact that each creature is a single stagePokemon, that’s therefore incapable of evolving. For these reasons, it’s likely that Niantic will add some of the aforementioned creatures to this part of the Season of Alola as well, promotingPokemon GO’s microtransaction-fueled mechanics.
Poni Island
When it comes to the islands that will feature duringPokemon GO’s Season of Alola, Poni Island is arguably the most intriguing. That’s largely because only two 7th generationPokemonare exclusively indigenous to it. These include the sentient anchor and wheel Dhelmise, and the island’s LegendaryPokemonTapu Fini. It’s easy to see both debuting inPokemon GOwhen the Poni Island research startson May 10, with the latter taking a prominent role in 5-star raids like its aforementioned Legendary siblings.
Gen 7’s Other Pokemon
DuringPokemon’s 7th generation, Game Freak added an extensive list of legendary creatures to the franchise. Beyond the typical assortment that fans have come to expect, severalUltra Beasts also made their debutin the games of the generation. While their invasive alternate-dimension origins saw them unleashed on Alola’s previously mentioned islands, it seems likely that Niantic will treat them as regular LegendaryPokemon. Debuts in 5-star raids and special research missions over the coming months and years, alongside generation 7’s other LegendaryPokemon,would probably be the safest option for fans to bet on. One final set of special research missions will be available from May 25, dedicated to Alola in general, so there’s an outside chance that some of the following creatures might be added then.
Pokemon GOis available now for Android and iOS devices.
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