Sword & Shield gets special Pokemon Day Mewtwo raid for 24th anniversary

Mewtwo and the Kanto region starters will be appearing in Pokemon Sword & Shield’s Max Raid Battles in a special event to celebrate this year’s Pokémon Day, which marks the franchise’s 24th anniversary.

The Pokemon community has already been celebrating the day the gaming industry changed forever with the release of Red & Green in Japan on February 27, 1996, and now game devs Gamefreak has gotten in on the action too.

As well as the chance to run into Kanto’s legendary, as well as Bulbasaur and Squirtle, it has also been confirmed Sword and Shield owners will still be able to find Gigantamax Grimmsnarl, Kingler, Hatterene, Orbeetle, and Toxtricity.

The limited-edition encounters were confirmed on Pokemon’s Japanese account, which also confirmed the anniversary event would run from now — it’s already live on the Nintendo Switch release — until Monday, March 2.

• Read more: Pokemon fans celebrate 24th anniversary of Red & Green

Unfortunately, it seems like there will be no way for trainers to actually capture the level 100 Mewtwo they run into in the Max Raids, with the game devs revealing the rare Psychic clone Pokemon was “too powerful” to tame.

 

While it’s confirmed you won’t be able to add Mewtwo your collection, Dexerto understands both Bulbasaur and Squirtle are obtainable—this marks the first time the Kanto starters are naturally available to collect in Sword & Shield.

The popular first-generation starter Pokemon, #001 and #007 respectively in the original Dex, were both victims of Gamefreak’s decision to forego a National Dex in their 2019 release for the first time in the franchise.

• Read more: Pokemon Day brings new species to Pokemon Go

The Max Raid Battle against Mewtwo isn’t without value either. While Pokemon #150 won’t be joining your endgame team any time soon — unless you transfer it from the Pokemon Home app to your console — defeating the level 100 boss will net victorious trainers a bundle of rare rewards.

While Pokemon Sword & Shield owners will most likely be interested in trying out the new anniversary Max Raid Battles, the arrival of Mewtwo, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle isn’t the only way the franchise is celebrating its 24th birthday.

According to the official Pokemon Day rundown released on January 31, the new Mythical Pokemon to feature in upcoming movie ‘Coco (2020)’ will be released during celebrations, so keep your eyes peeled for the “phantom” legendary!

Mewtwo has also arrived in Pokemon Go during the event. The armored legendary boasts a powerful move in Psystrike, and will be available in five-star Raid Battles in the portable title for the duration of the event.