GiftPokémonhave been a key component of the series since its inception. Mew, specifically, was the first Mythical Pokémon and available through exclusive events outside of the game. Since then, every generation provides new mythical Pokémon that can only be obtained through events. Other Pokémon joined that crowd too, providing special versions of classic Pokémon. All the player needs to do is go to the right location.
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These days, digital events and digital media are more common than physical ones. However, looking back through Pokémon’s history, there have been a number of gift Pokémon tied to physical media. Whether they are spin-off titles or collectible cards, there have been plenty of these instances. Some are more interesting than others, but they are all definitely fun to look over.
10Jirachi
The first of these is, of course, Jirachi, the Wish Pokémon. This example is probably the most well-known from the earlier days of Pokémon, as it was included with copies ofPokémon Colosseum. Well, the Bonus Disc, specifically. For those that reserved a copy ofPokémon Colosseum, they received a special preview forJirachi: Wish Makerand a special Jirachi. This Jirachi can even be shiny.
However, less known is the Jirachi obtained throughPokémon Channel, a strange GameCube game that featured a collection ofPokémonminigames and exclusive clips. After unlocking a Pichu Bros. episode, Jirachi will appear and can be downloaded ontoRuby and Sapphire. This is only available in PAL versions of the game.
9Amnesia Psyduck
Pokémon Stadiumis a game that allows trainers to battle with theirGen 1Pokémon on the big screen, among other things. It also fixes a number of glitches in the original games and even has a collection of fun minigames. However,Stadiumalso provides a number of special gift Pokémon for the players. This includes the starters, fossils, and even an Eevee.
One of the interesting additions is Amnesia Psyduck. Although it was able to learn Amnesia inGen IVand onward,Stadiumwas the only way to obtain it until then. This is useful in Gen 1 in particular, since Amnesia was an incredible stat enhancing move at that time.
8Farfetch’d/Gligar
Keeping the tradition of the first title,Stadium 2offers more minigames, challenges, and gift Pokémon. It doesn’t hold quite as many exclusive Pokémon, but it does hold a couple of rare Pokémon. They also have special movesets with (at the time) exclusive moves.
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The first is Farfetch’d with Swords Dance and Baton Pass. While Farfetch’d is far from viable, this does give it auseful toolin battles. The second is Gligar with Earthquake, which isn’t that special but does help with Pokédex completion.
7Pokémon Box Eggs
Gen 3has probably the widest range of Pokémon tied to physical media, which is why it takes up the bulk of this list. The first set comes from a title calledPokémon Box Ruby and Sapphire. These games served as a major storage container for Pokémon, similar to the modernPokémon HOME. It could even play emulated versions ofRuby and Sapphire.
Through filling up the Box, the PC operator Brigette will send over a special egg Pokémon. These include Swablu, Zigzagoon, Skitty, and a Surfing Pichu. While not the most exciting gifts, they’re definitely interesting ones with steep requirements. The highest is Surfing Pichu, which demands 1499 to be transferred toPokémon Box.
6Latias/Latios
Another pretty famous Gen 3 example would be Latias and Latios. InRuby, SapphireandEmerald, one of the two can be obtained in the main game. To get the other required either trading or the Eon Ticket. And, of course, the Eon Ticket required both an eReader and an eReader card for the Eon Ticket.
The eReader is an accessory for the GameBoy Advance that allowed content tied to physical cards to be scanned into their proper games. ForPokémon, this meant that Latias or Latios could be obtained with the eReader card. It’s earlyDLC, in a very loose sense.
5Celebi
Pokémon Colosseumis known in the West for being home to Jirachi. However, the main legendary of thegame’s storyseems to be Celebi, as it’s directly tied to the purification mechanic. So, where’s Celebi? The answer is (as it often is) that it’s only available in Japan.
A separate JP-exclusive bonus disc forColosseumcontained Celebi along with a number of different previews. It’s not as easy to obtain, though. It requires the purification of all 48 Shadow Pokémon (essentiallyPokedex completion) before it can be found. After that, however, the Celebi could be distributed to other copies ofRuby and Sapphirethat had the game completed.
4Surfing Pikachu
Earlier in this article, Surfing Pichu was mentioned as a reward forPokémon Box. However, the SurfingPikachuhas been a special event Pokémon since Gen 1. InStadium, it required a specific set of circumstances to gain the ability to teach a Pikachu surf. It wasn’t exactly easy to do, and the reward is mostly just funny.
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Pokémon Battle Revolutionhad a surfing Pikachu reward as well. By beating Pokétopia Master Mysterial, the player is able to obtain a special gift Surfing Pikachu. This is great, because Pikachu has a special surfboard during its surf animation in the game. Again, not useful, but absolutely funny.
3Manaphy
Manaphy is another well-known example of a gift Pokémon being tied exclusively to physical media. By beatingPokémon Ranger, aNintendo DStitle, the player gains access to the Ranger Net. Entering a specific code allows the transfer of Manaphy toDiamond and Pearlthrough Mystery Gift.
The interesting part about Ranger Net is that it doesn’t reset even if the safe file is reset. This means that each game card could only offer one single Manaphy. Hopefully,Pokémon Rangerfans remembered to keep transferring that Manaphy up, because it’s very hard to obtain one otherwise.
2Shaymin and Friends
The laterPokémon Rangergames actually allowed for a few Mythical Pokémon to be obtained in mainline Pokémon games.Shadows of Almiaappropriately offered Darkrai as a special gift Pokémon. It also offered a Riolu that’s not really that impressive, but notable.
GuardianSignswas much more interesting, offering Deoxys, Heatran, and Shaymin as special gift Pokémon. All of these Pokémon do require missions to be completed, but it’s a small price to pay to have a reliable way of obtaining rare Pokémon. Plus, the games are pretty fun andworth playing.
1Mew
Mew has been distributed at events for years. The only trucks involved in these events are the ones used to drive to distribution locations. Mew has appeared in other games as well and can even be obtained without an event on rare occasions, but was never tied to physical media.
This changed with the release ofPokémon Let’s Go. A special controller was designed for the game, called the PokéBall Plus. It served as a controller and a PokéWalker of sorts. The Poké Ball Plus also came with Mew sleeping soundly within the device, able to be transferred to either Nintendo SwitchPokémontitle.
