Learn More About Pokémon Go’s Throwback Challenge

It was back in 1996 when Pokémon was first introduced to the public. Fast forward two decades later and Pokémon Go was officially released. In celebration, Niantic is launching its Pokémon Go Throwback Challenge Timed Research. The event begins on May 1 and lasts until May 29 and can be accessed through the Today View menu.

During this event, each week features different tasks themed around the different regions of the Pokémon world and are inspired by the adventures offered in previous games. The schedule and details are shown below:

• Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto Timed Research
  • Start: Friday, May 1, 2020, at 1:00 PM local time
  • End: Friday, May 8, 2020, at 1:00 PM local time
  • Features:
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region, like Venonat and Chansey, appear more frequently in the wild.
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region are going to be available to battle in raids.
    • These Pokémon are going to hatch from 7 km Eggs:
      • Venonat
      • Machop
      • Onix
      • Lickitung
      • Tangela
      • Scyther
      • Pinsir
      • Lapras
      • Eevee
    • Pikachu wearing a Charizard hat is going to appear in the wild.
      • This is in honor of Charizard being chosen in the Pokémon of the Year vote as the number-one Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region.
    • Those lucky enough could encounter a Shiny Venonat.
    • Event-exclusive Field Research tasks reward encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Kanto region.
    • These bonuses are going to be active:
      • 2× Catch XP
      • 2× Raid XP
      • 2× Hatch XP
• Throwback Challenge 2020: Johto Timed Research
  • Start: Friday, May 8, 2020, at 1:00 PM local time
  • End: Friday, May 15, 2020, at 1:00 PM local time
  • Features:
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region, like Dunsparce and Skarmory, appear more frequently in the wild.
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region are going to be available to battle in raids.
    • These Pokémon are going to hatch from 7 km Eggs:
      • Chinchou
      • Yanma
      • Girafarig
      • Pineco
      • Dunsparce
      • Gligar
      • Shuckle
      • Skarmory
      • Phanpy
    • Pikachu wearing an Umbreon hat is going to appear in the wild.
      • This is honor of Umbreon being chosen in the Pokémon of the Year vote as the number-one Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region.
    • Those lucky enough could encounter a Shiny Dunsparce
    • Event-exclusive Field Research tasks eward encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Johto region.
    • These bonuses are going to be active:
      • 2× Catch Stardust
      • 2× Raid Stardust
• Throwback Challenge 2020: Hoenn Timed Research
  • Start: Friday, May 15, 2020, at 1:00 PM local time
  • End: Friday, May 22, 2020, at 1:00 PM local time
  • Features:
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region, like Skitty, Zangoose, and Seviper, are going to appear more frequently in the wild.
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region are going to be available to battle in raids.
    • These Pokémon are going to hatch from 7 km Eggs:
      • Lotad
      • Slakoth
      • Nincada
      • Skitty
      • Sableye
      • Mawile
      • Trapinch
      • Feebas
      • Clamperl
    • Pikachu wearing Rayquaza hats is going to appear in the wild.
      • This is in honor of Rayquaza being chosen in the Pokémon of the Year vote as the number-one Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region.
    • Those lucky enough could encounter a Shiny Skitty.
    • Event-exclusive Field Research tasks reward encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region.
    • The distance needed to hatch an Egg once it’s been placed in an Incubator and the distance needed to earn Buddy Candy is halved.
• Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh Timed Research
  • Start: Friday, May 22, 2020, at 1:00 PM local time
  • End: Friday, May 29, 2020, at 1:00 PM local time
  • Features:
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region, like Cherubi and Glameow, are going to appear more frequently in the wild.
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region are going to be available to battle in raids.
    • These Pokémon are going to hatch from 7 km Eggs
      • Cranidos
      • Shieldon
      • Glameow
      • Chingling
      • Bonsly
      • Happiny
      • Gible
      • Munchlax
      • Riolu
      • Mantyke
    • Pikachu wearing Lucario hats is going to appear in the wild.
      • This is in honor of Lucario being chosen in the Pokémon of the Year vote as the number-one Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn region.
    • Those lucky enough could encounter a Shiny Glameow.
    • Event-exclusive Field Research tasks reward encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region.
    • These bonuses are going to be active:
      • One-hour Star Piece duration
      • One-hour Incense duration
      • One-hour Lucky Egg duration
• Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research unlock and event
  • Start: Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 1:00 PM local time
  • End: Monday, June 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time
  • Features:
    • Galarian Stunfisk is going to make its official debut in the game.
      • It's going to be available in the wild, in raids, and as a Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research reward encounter.
    • These Pokémon are also going to make their Pokémon Go debut and hatch from 7 km Eggs along with their usual forms:
      • Galarian Meowth
      • Galarian Zigzagoon
      • Galarian Darumaka
      • Galarian Stunfisk
      • Trainers can evolve Galarian Meowth, Galarian Zigzagoon, and Galarian Darumaka into their Galarian evolved forms.
    • Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region appear more frequently in the wild.