Skip to main content

'Pokémon Go' dataminers find references to legendary Pokémon

In Pokémon Go, players are tasked with exploring their real-world surroundings in search of collectible critters — and particularly desirable beasties are often a fair few footsteps away. Now, there’s word that highly sought-after legendary Pokémon might be on their way to the game.

References to Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres — the three legendary birds that could be found in the original Pokémon games — have been found in the new game’s code, according to a report from The Daily Dot. However, it seems likely that these particular monsters will not be caught through normal means.

Recommended Videos

The legendary birds are among a handful of first-generation Pokémon that haven’t currently been caught in Pokémon Go. However, anyone that’s filled up their Pokédex past no. 147 will see that the three fierce flyers are included as part of the list.

Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres are represented elsewhere in Pokémon Go, too, as their silhouettes are used to represent the game’s three factions. As a result, it seems likely that earning these Pokémon will somehow related to the overarching competition between Team Mystic, Team Instinct, and Team Valor.

Currently, players pledge allegiance to a particular faction, then set out into their surroundings to claim gyms and leave fearsome Pokémon to defend the location. This offers up a reward in the form of the game’s Pokécoin currency, but it’s not difficult to imagine that an extension of this mechanic could earn players the legendary bird that corresponds to their chosen team.

The legendary birds aren’t the only future content that’s been uncovered in the game’s code. The player responsible for the information posted his findings on Reddit, and revealed that references to Mew and Mewtwo are present, as well as currently inaccessible items like Max Revives, Max Potions, and Master Balls.

Brad Jones
Brad is an English-born writer currently splitting his time between Edinburgh and Pennsylvania. You can find him on Twitter…
Pokémon Go’s Community Days are getting a price hike
Togepi, Pikachu and Eevee in a field

Pokémon Go started out really good, and then it became great. But it's not all sunshine and Ho-Ohs. The monthly community days -- special events for catching Pokemon that you might not encounter otherwise -- have received a price increase from $1 to $2.

It's particularly frustrating news for fans given the event's history. Originally, Community Days would bring Pokémon Go players out of the woodwork to flood parks or other areas. It was a fun way to get out of the house, be a little social, and catch some cute critters -- usually for the first time in Shiny form. But now, most of the storylines have been removed from the events, and the time frame has dropped from six hours to three, according to Eurogamer.

Read more
The best Mythical Island cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket
Mythical Island Booster Pack in Pokémon TCG Pocket.

The first new Booster Pack released for Pokémon TCG Pocket is Mythical Island, which has a slew of unique cards to shake up the meta. With Mew featured on the cover, there are many new and returning Pokémon with this booster pack containing a total of 86 cards.

A new Booster Pack can be overwhelming when everyone is trying to learn the best decks and cards. We're here to give you some guidance on the strongest cards in the Mythical Island pack, as well as some decks that you can make out of them in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Best Pokémon TCG Pocket cards in Mythical Island
Celebi ex

Read more
Pokémon’s new mobile game will bring out the card collector in you
Three phones running Pokemon TCG Pocket.

While the mainstream popularity of the Pokémon Trading Card Game has ebbed and flowed since its launch in 1998, it has always enjoyed a cult following. That's earned it a spot at the top of the genre alongside games like Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh. It's grown in popularity and complexity in the past 25 years, evolving from a simple card game that lived alongside the anime and mainline Pokémon video games to having its own obsessive fanbase, competitive scene, and world championship events.

Battling has always been at the core of the Pokémon world, but another aspect of the game has always reigned supreme: catching them all. And that's exactly what Creatures and The Pokémon Company wants to get back to with its new mobile game.

Read more