Pokémon Go updates: the latest news and rumors

Posted on by Cat Bussell

If you want to know about the latest Pokémon Go updates, then you've come to the right place. Pokémon Go is an augmented reality game by Niantic that allows you to live out the age-old fantasy of roaming the land, capturing, befriending, and battling adorable pocket monsters.  

Available on iOS and Android and iPadOS, Pokémon Go enjoyed a period of elevated popularity in 2016, back when it was first released. Though the game has never quite captured the heart of popular culture again in the way it once did, Pokémon Go has been a juggernaut in mobile gaming, enjoying a constant stream of events and updates over the course of its seven-year lifespan. 

The steady stream of new content from Niantic shows no sign of letting up any time soon. There are a lot of features for trainers to explore, so much so that it can get more than a little overwhelming. Fortunately, we've broken down all the details surrounding the game's latest updates and upcoming content drops. We've also included a handy index of all our guides to help you become the best Pokémon master you can be. 

Pokémon Go updates: cut to the chase

  • What is it? An augmented reality Pokémon mobile game
  • Released: July 16, 2016
  • What can I play it on? Android, iOS, and iPadOS

Pokémon Go updates: what's new?

  • What's new? Season 10: Rising Heroes

Season 10 of Pokémon Go arrived on March 1 2023 and is bursting with new features that are sure to keep even veteran trainers busy. 

Exclusive to Pokémon Go, trainers will now be able to catch Roaming Form Gimmighoul in the wild. Players are also now able to create Golden Pokéstops with the use of the Golden Lure Module. You can also gain access to a special coin that'll help you catch the elusive Gimmighoul by pairing your Pokémon Go app with your copy of Pokémon Scarlet or Violet. 

New Pokémon sizes have also appeared. You'll now be able to catch Pokémon in XXS and XXL sizes, adding more variety to your pocket monster menagerie. 

Season 10 also sees the return of Elite Raids, a challenging type of Raid Battle that trainers take on in person. Raid Bosses Regieleki and Regidrago will be available to challenge and ware the only way to catch either of those legendary Pokémon this season. 

Season 10 also offers Timed Ticket Research, which will be available for players to purchase. This will allow trainers to unlock cosmetics for their character inspired by Professor Willow. It also leads to an encounter with a Melmetal that can use the Charged Attack Double Iron Bash. 

There will also be the usual slew of events and community days, as well as the usual seasonal rotations. For more information, you can check out the official Season 10 website. 

Pokémon Go updates: what's next?

Pikachu and other Pokémon in a field

(Image credit: Niantic)

With Season 10 having recently released, we don't have any inklings as to what might be coming next for Pokémon Go. We'll let you know the moment this changes. In the meantime, we recommend keeping an eye on the official website.

What's the next Pokémon Go Event?

A Ditto and pals frolic in a forest

(Image credit: Niantic)
  • What is the next Pokémon Go event? Let's GO!
  • What date is the next Pokémon Go event? March 21-29

In the latest upcoming event, Pansage Pansear and Panpour are appearing all over the world. You'll also be able to use the Mystery Box to encounter a Shiny Meltan. Ditto's transformations will also change during the event. 

In order to use the Mystery Box, you'll need to send a Pokémon from Pokémon Go to Pokémon HOME or Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let's Go Eevee on the Nintendo Switch. 

Lugia and Incarnate Forme Thunduras will be appearing in Five-Star Raids, while Mega Venasaur and Mega Alakazam will both be appearing in Mega Raids over the course of the event. 

A new Special Research story will also be available, giving you the chance to save Shadow Regice from the clutches of the nefarious Team Rocket. There will also be an opportunity to rescue a range of Shadow Pokémon from Team Rocket Grunts including Shadow Alolan Grimer, Shadow Phanphy, Shadow Treecko, Shadow Torchic, and Shadow Drifloon. 

There will also be a number of event bonuses:

  • Reduced waiting time for opening the Mystery Box.
  • 2× Candy for transferring Pokémon.
  • Increased chance of finding XXS and XXL Meltan.
  • Increased chance of finding Ditto disguised as other Pokémon.

The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild: 

  • Diglett
  • Grimer
  • Snubbull
  • Corphish
  • Starly
  • Pansage
  • Pansear
  • Panpour
  • Roggenrola
  • Tympole
  • Litleo
  • Trubbish
  • Galarian Stunfisk
  • Goomy

When's the next Pokémon Go Community Day?

Togetic inside a smartphone

(Image credit: Niantic)
  • What date is the next Community Day? April 15, 2023
  • Who's the starring Pokémon? Togetic

Niantic has announced that on Saturday, April 15, from 2pm to 5pm local time, Togetic will be appearing more frequently in the wild. If you're lucky, you may even encounter a Shiny version of the beloved Fairy-type Pokémon.

You will also be rewarded if you evolve Togetic during the event or up to 5 hours afterward with a Togekiss that knows the Charged Attack Aura Sphere, a powerful move in Trainer Battles, Gyms and raids.

Togetic will also appear in four-star raids, though you will need Raid Passes or Premium Battle Passes to access these – Remote Battle Passes cannot be used. Complete one of these raids and an additional Togetic will appear around the gym that hosted the raid for 30 minutes. There will also be Togetic-focused Timed Research and Field Research options, as well as event-themed stickers available by spinning Pokéstops and opening gifts.

The event also includes some more generalized bonuses, too. You'll be able to earn twice the usual Candy from catching pokemon, and Hatch Distance will be reduced to a quarter of its normal level when eggs are placed in Incubators during the event. Trainers at level 31 or higher will also be twice as likely to receive Candy XL from catching Pokémon

Incense and Lure Modules activated during the event will last for three hours, and trades made during the event and up to five hours afterward will cost you 50% less Stardust. Togepi also has an increased chance of hatching from 2km Eggs obtained during the event. Lastly, players on the 15th will be able to make one additional Special Trade, for a maximum of two for the day.

What is the best Pokémon in Pokémon Go?

Pokémon Go dittos climbing palm trees

(Image credit: Niantic)

Sure, you can catch ‘em all but what if you only want to catch the very best? Well, when it comes to the best Pokémon in Pokémon Go, that really depends on what you want to do with your Pokémon. Whether that’s PvP battling, raiding, or defending a Gym, you need to consider this.

One of the simplest (and therefore not foolproof) ways to look for a strong Pokémon is by determining its max CP.  The Combat Power figure is determined through a combination of a Pokémon's Attack, Defense, and Stamina numbers but it isn’t everything and a Pokémon’s moves, stat distribution and type ought to be considered too. However, if you’re just looking to know which Pokémon has the highest potential max CP, then according to Gameinfo, that’s Slaking. 

If you’re looking for a Pokémon that can be a bit of a punchbag and therefore a solid defender, then it’s hard to go wrong with Blissey — it has the highest HP and Stamina stats at the moment. For attacking, it’s worth considering Mewtwo—not only is its max CP second to Slaking, it has good stats across the board and a particularly high attack stat. 

These are far from definitive picks (it can get pretty complicated when you get down into the numbers in Pokémon Go), but should at least give you a place to start. 

Pokémon Go guides

Pikachu, Squirtle and other Pokémon

(Image credit: Niantic)

Below, we've collated all our Pokémon Go guides to help you to catch them all:

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