On this day, 27 February, 1996 the first Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green, launched in Japan.
Since that day The Pokémon Company International has marked the date with annual Pokémon Day offers and promotions.
To mark Pokémon Day 2018, Trainers can get a Pikachu skill for Amazon Alexa, turn themselves into Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle on Snapchat, and catch a shiny Pikachu wearing a purple hat on Pokémon Go. You can also customise your Pokémon Go Trainer with Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon FireGreen outfits for the rest of the day.
“Pokémon Day is not only a celebration of the franchise, but also of Pokémon’s incredible fan community,” said J.C. Smith, senior director of consumer marketing for The Pokémon Company International. “This year we’re offering Pikachu Talk, social media activations, and more across the brand to help Trainers around the world express their love of all things Pokémon.”
Pokémon Day 2018
Here are the highlights of Pokémon Day 2018. Some are only available until the end of the day, others last a little longer.
Pokémon GO
Despite claiming Pikachu’s festive party hat was limited edition as part of a previous live event, the mouse is donning it again for Pokemon Day 2018. When you go searching for wild Pokémon on Pokémon Go until 9pm GMT, you will be able to catch Pikachu wearing a stripy purple party hat. Plus, if you’re lucky, you’ll even be able to catch a shiny Pikachu.
Additionally for Pokémon Day 2018, this Pikachu will know the move Present and will give players triple Stardust when caught. The Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon FireGreen will similarly expire at the end of today.
Pikachu Talk Alexa Skill
Already available in Japan, Amazon Alexa owners in the UK can now “talk” to Pikachu via their smart speaker. “Talk” is in inverted commas because, of course, Pikachu’s vocabulary is limited but it will respond with “pika?”, “pika pika!”, and even “pikaaaaa.”
READ NEXT: Best Alexa Skills
Pokémon Day Snapchat Lenses
Starting today, and for a limited time (although The Pokémon Company International has not revealed when it will be removed), Snapchat users can transform themselves Pokémon from the Kanto region, beginning with Bulbasaur. Charmander will arrive later, followed by Squirtle.
Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
From 27 February, the feature-length Pokémon film, Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, will be available to stream on Pokémon TV for the first time, as well on the iOS and Android app, and on Pokémon.com for the next week.
Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way.
