To celebrate the history of Pokémon, Pokémon Go has a series of throwback challenges available in the game starting in May. These challenges feature a different region of the first four Pokémon games, Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, respectively. There are eight different research tasks you need to complete each week, and during these events, Pokémon of each region will become more frequent to capture.
Additionally, there will be event-specific Pikachu available you can capture during these events to celebrate the number one picks for the best Pokémon of those regions. These event-based Pikachu will have different hats on their heads of those Pokémon. While the hats do not alternate their gameplay mechanics or strength, they provide a unique collection piece to your PokéDex.
These Pikachu will be wearing a Charizard, an Umbreon, a Rayquaza, and a Lucario hat during their specific regions. Here’s what hat Pikachu will be wearing during each event, and the timeframe you have to collect that Pikachu.
- Pikachu with a Charizard hat: During the Kanto Throwback Challenge event starting May 1 at 1:00pm to May 8 at 1:00pm
- Pikachu with an Umbreon hat: During the Johto Throwback Challenge event starting May 8 at 1:00pm to May 15 at 1:00pm
- Pikachu with a Rayquaza hat: During the Hoenn Throwback Challenge event starting May 15 at 1:00pm to May 22 at 1:00pm
- Pikachu with a Lucario hat: During the Sinnoh Throwback Challenge event starting May 22 at 1:00pm to May 29 at 1:00pm
The Pikachu will rotate each week. You won’t have to do anything specific to capture it. All of them will be available in the wild for you to capture. If you see one, click on it, and you’ll go to the screen to try and capture it. The Pikachu with higher CPs might require berries for you to use to make it easier to catch them.
Once the events finish on May 29, you won’t be able to find these Pikachu in the wild until the next event.
