9 hilarious shiny fails in Pokemon games

What’s better than a Pokemon? A shiny one, of course. However, when one finally appears it makes it all the more devastating if you fail to capture it. Here are 9 of the best (or worst) shiny fails in Pokemon games.

Pokemon trainers spend hours at a time searching for shinies. The challenge of finding them and the allure of owning something rare grips fans from across the world.

You’ve got to do more than just find them, though, there’s still the small matter of catching them. Sounds simple, right? Well, even the most experienced trainers can sometimes feel the pressure and crack.

These shiny fails can range from excruciating to just plain sad. Here are the best shiny fails the internet has to offer.

1. The wrong one

As trainers are well aware, Pokemon Sword and Shield is out now, and the shiny fails have already begun. Popular YouTuber Reversal was hunting for a shiny Galarian Farfetch’d but after coming across a shiny Stufful he was forced to abandon his search.

Catching the Stufful ended his chain count, which is one of many methods used to increase the chances of finding a shiny Pokemon. However, this particular shiny hunt ends well because, luckily, he encountered a shiny Galarian Farfetch’d shortly after.

2. Shiny Charmander runs

Skugge Matsi tried to put a brave face on Charmander running away. After a short period of reflection he lets his feelings known though!

3. First shiny Mewtwo fail

Yoehn took failing to capture a shiny Mewtwo very well considering the 552 restarts he put into it! If you’re going to shiny Mewtwo hunt then at least make sure your Pokemon are strong enough to comfortably defeat it.

• Read More: Why are trainers so desperate to find Ditto in Pokemon Sword and Shield?

The match time mechanic in Pokemon Let’s Go also means you can’t take your time, something many trainers have forgotten about.

4. Master Ball fail?

Master balls have a 100% capture rate, so it seems strange this could even be a fail. Tell that to TheSupremeRk9s though, because he somehow managed it.

5. Shiny Lapras fail – sort of

It’s one thing a Pokemon a running away from battle, or even accidentally fainting it. It’s a whole different level of frustration when you miss it altogether.

JubileeBlais didn’t see a shiny Lapras spawn and was understandably disappointed when her chat informed her of the miss. Luckily for her the shiny Lapras spawned again a few minutes later. The initial reaction is priceless!

6. Keep your eyes on the game

Taking your eye off the game for just a split second can cost you a shiny and hours of work. Twitch streamer Briikk found out the hard way!

7. Shiny Drowzee fail

Gubba had been desperate for a Drowzee shiny in Pokemon Let’s Go. Why Drowzee? Good question, but Gubba wanted Drowzee bad!

• Read More: Modders are already adding missing Pokemon to Sword and Shield

Her reaction when a shiny variant finally spawned was loud to say the least. The pressure got to her though and despite the over the top reaction when it spawned, you can’t help but feel sorry for her afterwards!

8. Shiny Zapdos fail

Imagine having a shiny Zapdos spawn and then not even encountering it. Well that’s what Mr Jesse Hammond did. He didn’t fully grasp a shiny had spawned at first, encountering another Pokemon by mistake.

When the penny finally dropped, he still failed by accidentally encountering another Pokemon in the overworld. Once he ran away from the second encounter, the shiny Zapdos had vanished. Ouch!

9. Another Mewtwo fail

Failing to capture any shiny Pokemon is heart-breaking. Losing out on a legendary shiny is even worse and then there’s failing to capture a Shiny Mewtwo. That’s exactly what SUKnives managed to do. It’s one of those moments you don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Hopefully you haven’t failed in your shiny hunting endeavours!