If You're an OG Pokémon Player, Then You'll Love the New Throwback Challenges
Mar. 12 2021, Updated 12:13 p.m. ET
Chances are that if you're a gamer, then you've dipped your toe into the Pokémon world. Maybe you're like me and played Pokémon Red and Blue, then realized all of the games are more or less the same after that and had your fill. Or maybe you're a diehard who knows anything and everything about the franchise, including the different "regions" in the Pokeworld, which are now the focus of newly debuted Pokémon GO throwback challenges for the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh regions.
What are the 'Pokémon GO' throwback challenges and when will they be officially released?
Pokémon GO Hub managed to get their hands on some files that data miners unearthed from the game, which revealed that the throwback challenges are a "36-part special research quest line that celebrates iconic moments from Pokémon GO's... regions with thematic quests along the way."
The number of quests are divided evenly across all four of the regions: they each get nine apiece. Here's the thing though: the throwback challenges technically shouldn't be available to players.
But there are still a bunch of gamers who managed to get their hands on the Kanto side quests. Now, how'd they manage to go and do that?
The 'Pokémon' Kanto throwback challenges were leaked to some players, it seems.
For some reason, on April 27 a bunch of Pokémon GO players logged into the title only to discover that there were some throwback challenges waiting for them, specifically nine separate quests for the Kanto region.
The missions are all "for the sake of research" in game, but provide enough of a challenge, and cool rewards, for whoever decides to partake in the throwback trials. Here they are:
Kanto throwback challenge step 1
- Catch 3 grass, water, or fire type Pokémon: 10 Pokeball
- Capture a snapshot of a bug type Pokémon: 5 Pinap Berries
- Catch a rock type Pokémon: 500 Stardust
- Completion of entire step: an Onix Pokémon, 1 Rare Candy and 2 Golden Razz Berries
Kanto throwback challenge step 2
- Battle in a raid: Clefairy
- Complete 3 Pokémon transfers: 10 Super Potions
- Capture a water type Pokémon: 500 Stardust
- Completion of step 2: a Starmie Pokémon, 1 Rare Candy, 2 Silver Pinap Berries
Kanto throwback challenge step 3
- Have 3 Pokémon evolve: 10 Great Balls
- Make an egg hatch: Snorlax
- Catch one electric type Pokémon: 500 Stardust
- Completion of step 3: a Raichi Pokémon, 1 Rare Candy, and 2 Golden Razz Berries
Kanto throwback challenge step 4
- Give a treat to a buddy: Gastly
- Send a friend a gift in-game: Dratini
- Capture a grass Pokémon: 500 Stardust
- Completion of step 4: a Tangela Pokémon, 1 Rare Candy, and 2 Silver Pinap Berries
Kanto throwback challenge step 5
- Walk with your buddy to earn a candy: 5 Ultra Balls
- Perform three great throws: a Chansey Pokemon
- Catch a poison Pokémon: 500 Stardust
- Completion of step 5: a Weezing Pokémon, 1 Rare Candy, and 2 Golden Razz Berries
Kanto throwback challenge step 6
- Get a snapshot of a ghost Pokémon: a Hitmonchan Pokémon
- Catch a fighting Pokémon: a Lapras Pokémon
- Catch a psychic Pokémon: 500 Stardust
- Completion of step 6: an Alakazam Pokémon, 1 Rare Candy, 2 Silver Pinap Berries
Kanto throwback challenge step 7
- Get a snapshot of an ice Pokémon: 10 Hyper Potions
- Evolve a Pokemon: an Aerodactyl Pokémon
- Catch a fire Pokémon: 500 Stardust
- Completion of step 7: an Arcanine Pokémon, 1 Rare Candy, 2 Golden Razz Berries
Kanto throwback challenge step 8
- Power up a Pokémon 6 times: 1 Charged TM
- Battle with another trainer: 1 Star Piece
- Capture a ground Pokémon: 500 Stardust
- Completion of step 8: a Nidoking Pokémon, 1 Rare Candy, 2 Silver Pinap Berries
Kanto throwback challenge step 9
- Claim reward of 3000 XP
- Claim reward of 3000 XP
- Claim reward of 3000 XP
- Completion of step 9: a Mewtwo Pokémon, 10 Rare Candies
The Kanto challenge rewards are looking pretty great, especially when you factor in that Mewtwo learns an event-exclusive move called Psystrike, which is one of the best attacks in the game.
Happy Kanto challenging all you aspiring Pokémon masters!
