This is a reverse-chronological list of event Pokémon distributions that were given away via serial codes, passwords or the Poké Ball Plus to Pokémon games in Generation VIII.
While serial codes are still issued with region identifying characteristics, unlike in the 3DS era, there are no region locks. Every serial code will work with any valid game regardless of region or language provided the player is connected to the internet and uses a legitimate serial code during the advertised distribution period. An active subscription to Nintendo Switch Online is not required to claim Mystery Gifts on Nintendo Switch games.
Serial codes are 16 characters long and do not use the letters I, O or Z. The first 4 characters (the prefix) of a code is static and corresponds to a specific distribution window. The first character of the prefix dictates the origin of the code which may be relevant in certain distributions where codes of different origins have different validity periods.
Specifically:
Codes that begin with A originate from Asia; Specifically ASEAN countries, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.
Codes that begin with K originate from South Korea.
Codes that begin with M originate from Pokémon movie distributions. These are usually Japanese and will allow for multiple codes to be redeemed on the same save file.
Codes that begin with U originate from the United States and other countries in the Americas.
This Pokémon was distributed in commemoration of the 2022 Korean Pokémon Trainers Cup, based on the Grimmsnarl used by Wonseok Jung in the 2021 Korean Pokémon Trainers Cup. The password was revealed on its official live stream. This Grimmsnarl has 31 IVs in every stat as well as 228 EVs in HP, 140 in Defense, 116 in Special Defense, 20 in Speed, and 4 in Attack.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Korean in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
전이마을's Regigigas Gift
You got Regigigas!
Marco Hemantha Kaludura Silva's Dracovish
This Pokémon was distributed from April 22 to 24, 2022 in commemoration of the 2022 European Video Game Championships, based on the Dracovish used by Marco Hemantha Kaludura Silva in the 2020 Oceania International Championships. The password was revealed on its official live stream. Players could use the password EU1C2022G1FT to receive it. This Dracovish has 31 IVs in every stat as well as 252 EVs in Attack and Special Defense and 4 EVs in HP. This differs from the Dracovish used by Marco, which had 252 EVs in Speed and zero in Special Defense.[1]
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Italian in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
Marco's Dracovish Gift
You got Dracovish!
Teresa Roca's Hisuian Growlithe
Two codes, one for 20 Feather Balls and another for a Hisuian Growlithe, will be distributed to promote the Brilliant Stars set of the Pokémon TCG at various locations in select countries between February 25 and April 4, 2022. These codes will expire at 06:59 (UTC) on June 1, 2022. If redeemed in an Asian language game (Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese or Traditional Chinese), this Hisuian Growlithe redeems with English language tags instead.
A bug involving Growlithe's nickname occurs if the serial code is redeemed on a Korean, Traditional Chinese, or Simplified Chinese language game. Growlithe's origin language will be set to English, but it is set to have no nickname, causing the game to assign it Growlithe's species name in Korean/Traditional Chinese/Simplified Chinese. Since its origin language and nickname don't match typesets (English-language Pokémon cannot have Korean/Chinese nicknames), Growlithe's nickname will display as "??" when redeemed in Korean, and "???" when redeemed in Simplified or Traditional Chinese.
These Piplup were distributed via serial code to players of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Pokémon Legends: Arceus at the Pokémon Centers in Japan from February 5 to 24, 2022 during the "Pocha Marche" promotion for some limited edition Piplup themed merchandise available in select stores as part of the larger プロジェクトポッチャマ (Project Pochama) marketting campaign. A pamphlet with two serial codes could be obtained by telling a store employee the phrase "Pochama Daisuki" during the distribution period. The codes are single use, one of the codes on the pamphlet is valid for Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, while the other is valid for Legends: Arceus. These Piplup have 20 IVs in every stat except for Special Defense, which is set at 28.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Distribution
プロポチャ's Piplup Gift
You got Piplup!
Pokémon Center Birthday Happiny
This Happiny is being distributed via serial code to players of all Generation VIII games at Pokémon Center stores across Japan and Singapore if they visit during the month of their birthday, but only if they provide proof of their date of birth and Nintendo Switch. The codes are being distributed from November 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022. Players can use these codes in Pokémon Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, or Legends: Arceus; the codes are single use, but valid in any of the aforementioned games. This Pokémon has Japanese tags unless redeemed in an English game.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is either English or Japanese in origin, depending on the language of the game.
Distribution
Happy Birthday!
You got Happiny!
Leonardo Bonanomi's Gigantamax Charizard
This Pokémon was distributed from October 31 to November 3, 2021 in commemoration of the Global Exhibition tournament, based on the Charizard used by Leonardo Bonanomi. The password was revealed on its official live stream. Players could use the password GL0BALCHAMP2021 to receive it. It came with the maximum Dynamax Level of 10. All of its IVs are fixed at 31, except Attack which is 0.
These Shiny Pokémon were distributed for players of various countries who inserted a serial code that was given away at various locations. Both have perfect 31 IVs in all stats except Special Attack, which is instead 30. These Pokémon were distributed between October 22, 2021 and February 22, 2022 with specific dates varying by region. Owing to the server-side wonder cards being accidentally repealed, it was not possible to redeem these Pokémon during a 4 day period between February 3 and February 7, 2022.
On Western Language games, Zacian has the original trainer Lancer, whereas Zamazenta has the original trainer Arthur. This is a reference to Arthurian Legends upon which both Pokémon are derived from, Namely King Arthur and Sir Lancelot. In Asian Language games, the original trainer is a localised form of "Galar".
Outside of South Korea, Players of Pokémon Sword can receive Shiny Zamazenta, while players of Pokémon Shield can receive Shiny Zacian. Codes obtained from the South Korean distribution can be redeemed in either game. It is possible to redeem both Zacian and Zamazenta on the same game. Each Pokémon is only obtainable once on per save file regardless of code origin.
In Asia (Outside of South Korea), the codes were distributed from October 22 to November 18, 2021. The codes could be redeemed until November 25, 2021.
In South Korea, the codes were given away by pre-ordering Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, or the Double Pack of Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. The codes could be redeemed from November 19 to December 31, 2021.
In the United States, Shiny Zacian was distributed from October 22 to November 11. In Canada, it was distributed from October 22 to November 4. Meanwhile, Shiny Zamazenta was distributed from November 12 to 26 in the United States, and November 5 to 18 in Canada. In Australia and New Zealand, both Pokémon were distributed from November 19. The codes could redeemed until January 31, 2022.
In Europe, the codes were distributed from October 22 to November 18, 2021. The codes were advertised to expire on December 31, 2021, February 12, 2022 or February 22, 2022 depending on the country. Despite the difference in advertised expiry dates, all European codes used the same code prefix's regardless of the distributing country, and as such were made valid until February 22, 2022, even if the advertised expiry date was earlier.
These Pokémon were distributed to players who entered a serial code included in the Pokémon Trainer Club newsletter on October 7, 2021. Players needed to sign up for the Pokémon Trainer Club newsletter and opt in to email marketing by September 25, 2021. They included a ShinyCelebi and a Dada Zarude. The codes expired on December 31, 2021.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Distribution
Mythical Pokémon Celebi Gift
You got Celebi!
Korean Jungle Pokémon
ThesePokémon were distributed to players who preordered tickets to the twenty-third movie, Secrets of the Jungle. They included a ShinyCelebi, a regular Zarude and a Dada Zarude. Multiple redemptions of these Pokémon are allowed on a single game, provided the player has preordered multiple tickets and consequently has multiple serial codes.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Distribution
Mythical Pokémon Celebi Gift
You got Celebi!
Jeong Sang-yoon's Porygon-Z
This Pokémon was distributed from August 21 to 22, 2021 in commemoration of the Korean Pokémon Trainers Cup 2021 tournament, based on the Porygon-Z used by Jeong Sang-yoon. The password was revealed on its official live stream. Players could use the password 1STPTCCHAMP to receive it. It came with the maximum Dynamax Level of 10.
Its IVs are all 31, except Attack, which is 0. It also has maximum EVs invested into Special Attack and Speed.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Korean in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
정상윤's Porygon-Z Gift
You got Porygon-Z!
Wolfe Glick's Gigantamax Coalossal
This Pokémon was distributed from August 14 to 16, 2021 in commemoration of the Player's Cup Invitational tournament, based on the Coalossal used by Wolfe Glick. The password was revealed on its official live stream. Players could use the password V1CT0RYENG1NE25 to receive it. It came with the maximum Dynamax Level of 10. All of its IVs are fixed at 31, except Attack which is 0.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is English in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
Coalossal Gift
You got Coalossal!
Pokémon Japan Championships 2020 Torkoal
This Pokémon was distributed from July 18 to 19, 2021 in commemoration of the Japan National Championships 2021 tournament, based on the Torkoal used by the 2020 Masters Division Champion. The password was revealed on its official live stream. Players could use the password PJCS2020CHAMP to receive it. It has a fixed 31 IVs in HP, Defense, Special Attack, and Special Defense, 12 IVs in Attack, and 0 IVs in Speed. It came with the maximum Dynamax Level of 10.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Japanese in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
クララ's Torkoal Gift
You got Torkoal!
Pokémon Adventure 25 Pokémon
These Pokémon were distributed to players in South Korea during the "Pokémon Adventure, Catch the Mythical Pokémon!" (Korean: 포켓몬 어드벤처, 환상의 포켓몬을 잡아라!) campaign that ran from April 26 to September 30, 2021. Players could earn points by buying participating Pokémon merchandise, which could then be used to exchange for serial codes on the official website. This was similar to the "Mythical Pokémon Get Challenge" that had previously run in Japan in 2020.
The number of points entered determined what type of serial code was received; one point resulted in a Genesect code, five resulted in ten Dynite Ores code, ten resulted in a Poké Ball Set 1 (Fast Ball, Level Ball, and Love Ball) code, 13 resulted in a Volcanion code, 16 resulted in ten Dynite Ores code, 20 resulted in a Poké Ball Set 2 (Moon Ball, Heavy Ball, Friend Ball, and Lure Ball) code, 23 resulted in a Marshadow code, 27 resulted in a Poké Ball Set 3 (Safari Ball and Sport Ball) code, and 30 points resulted in a Master Ball code.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Korean in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
Mythical Pokémon Marshadow Gift
You got Marshadow!
Game Freak's Singing Pikachu
This Pikachu knowing Sing was distributed to players with the password P25MUS1C from February 25 to March 25, 2021 to commemorate the Pokémon 25th Anniversary.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Distribution
Pikachu with Sing Gift
You got Pikachu!
Rock Star Shiny Toxtricity
Australian code card
This Shiny Pokémon was distributed to promote the Shining Fates set of the Pokémon TCG, a set that features Shiny reprints of old Sword & Shield Series cards, two of which feature Shiny AmpedForm Toxtricity. All codes expired on June 30, 2021.
This Pokémon was distributed from December 25, 2020 to March 31, 2021 to players who preordered tickets to the twenty-third movie, Secrets of the Jungle.
This Dada Zarude was re-released in Taiwan between December 10th 2021 and March 31st 2022, to promote the release of the movie in this market.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Japanese in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
ミスド's Chansey Gift
You got Chansey!
Pokémon Get Challenge 2020 Pokémon
Pokémon Scrap 2020 logo
Pokémon Scrap 2020 artwork
These Pokémon were distributed to players who entered the codes from the "Mythical Pokémon Get Challenge" (Japanese: 幻のポケモンゲットチャレンジ) onto the official site in exchange for a serial code. Pokémon Scraps could be found in participating types of Pokémon merchandise starting on November 20, 2020.
The number of codes entered determined what type of serial code was received; one Pokémon Scrap resulted in a Genesect code, five resulted in a code for ten pieces of Dynite Ore, ten resulted in a code for Poké Ball Set 1 (consisting of a Fast Ball, a Level Ball, and a Love Ball), 13 resulted in a Volcanion code, 16 resulted in a code for ten pieces of Dynite Ore, 20 resulted in a code for Poké Ball Set 2 (consisting of a Moon Ball, a Heavy Ball, a Friend Ball, and a Lure Ball), 23 resulted in a Marshadow code, 27 resulted in a code for Poké Ball Set 3 (consisting of a Safari Ball and a Sport Ball), and 30 resulted in a Master Ball code. The serial codes could be redeemed from November 20, 2020 to April 30, 2021.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Japanese in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
Mythical Pokémon Marshadow Gift
You got Marshadow!
International Jungle Zarude
North America Serial code image from newsletter
This Pokémon is being distributed to players who inserted a serial code that was either given away at various locations in select countries or the Pokémon Trainer Club newsletter. These codes all expired on March 31, 2021.
These Milcery were distributed via serial code to players of Pokémon Sword and Shield at the Pokémon Center store located in the 4th floor of the Jewel mall at Changi Airport from November 6, 2020 until October 31, 2021 if they visited during the month of their birthday, but only if they provided proof of their date of birth and Nintendo Switch.
As both Pokémon share the same Wonder Card ID, only 1 of the 2 Milcery (either holding a Ribbon Sweet or a Star Sweet) could be redeemed on a single save file.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is English in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
Happy Birthday!
You got Milcery!
Japan Pokémon Center Birthday Milcery
These Milcery were distributed via serial code to players of Pokémon Sword and Shield at Pokémon Center stores and Pokémon Stores in Japan from November 1, 2020 until October 31, 2021, if they visited during the month of their birthday, but only if they provided proof of their date of birth and Nintendo Switch.
As both Pokémon share the same Wonder Card ID, only 1 of the 2 Milcery (either holding a Ribbon Sweet or a Star Sweet) could be redeemed on a single save file.
Prior to November 6, 2020, the Wonder Card did not set a nickname for Milcery, causing a bug if the serial code is redeemed on a Korean, Traditional Chinese, or Simplified Chinese language game. Milcery's origin language would be set to Japanese, but since it had no nickname, the game would assign it Milcery's species name in Korean/Traditional Chinese/Simplified Chinese. Since its origin language and nickname did not match typesets (Japanese-language Pokémon cannot have Korean/Chinese nicknames), Milcery's nickname would display as "???" on the save file. This was fixed by replacing the Wonder Card by another version with the same ID, that directly set Milcery's nickname to マホミル (Milcery's species name in Japanese).
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Japanese in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
Happy Birthday!
You got Milcery!
Pikachu in a cap
All Pikachu in a cap were distributed via passwords through the official Pokémon website. All of these passwords expired on November 30, 2020, at 6:59 a.m. PST. Unlike previous distributions, these iterations of Ash's Pikachu all share the same moveset and can learn Volt Tackle from the Move Reminder.
World Cap
Players could claim World Cap Pikachu with the password K1NP1KA1855.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Distribution
Pikachu (Alola Cap) Gift
You got Pikachu!
Kalos Cap
Players could claim Kalos Cap Pikachu with the password KAL0SP1KA. Kalos Cap Pikachu was released early to coincide with the 7th anniversary of Pokémon the Series: XY in Japan — October 17, 2013.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Distribution
Pikachu (Original Cap) Gift
You got Pikachu!
Ash's Charizard
ThisCharizard was distributed in South Korea as a bonus for attendees of the Korean dub screening of Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution on September 30, 2020. The serial code was redeemable until November 30, 2020.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Korean in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
지우's Charizard Gift
You got Charizard!
Pokémon Player's Cup Porygon2
ThisPorygon2 was distributed via password during the live stream of the English-language Pokémon Player's Cup, during the final rounds of the Pokémon Sword and Shield competition starting at 11:00 a.m. PDT on August 22 and 23, 2020. Players could use the password PKMNPLAYERSCUP to download this "battle-ready" Porygon2 designed to take advantage of Trick Room. The password expired August 31, 2020. It has a fixed 31 IVs in HP and 0 IVs in Attack and Speed. It also has 252 EVs in HP and Defense, 4 in Special Defense, and 0 in every other stat.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Distribution
Porygon2 Gift
You got Porygon2!
Pokémon Japan Championships 2019 Gastrodon
ThisEast SeaGastrodon was distributed via password during the live stream of the Japanese 2020 Championship on Niconico and YouTube on August 22, 2020, starting at 10:00 AM JST. Players could use the password PJCS2019CHAMP to download this Gastrodon based on the Gastrodon used by the Japanese Regional Masters Division Champion in 2019. It has a fixed 31 IVs in HP, Defense, Special Attack, and Special Defense, 2 IVs in Attack, and 0 IVs in Speed. It also has 152 EVs in HP, 94 in Defense, 252 in Special Attack, 12 in Special Defense, and 0 in every other stat.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Korean in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
백종윤's Amoonguss Gift
You got Amoonguss!
Jungle Pokémon
Promotional artwork of Zarude associated with the event
ThesePokémon were distributed to players who preordered tickets to the twenty-third movie, Secrets of the Jungle. They included a ShinyCelebi and a Zarude, both Pokémon that play important roles in the movie. Celebi's distribution was originally due to begin on April 17, 2020, and Zarude's on June 15, 2020; due to the delay of the movie's release, both distributions instead began on August 7 and were redeemable until March 31, 2021. Multiple redemptions of these Pokémon are allowed on a single game, provided the player has preordered multiple tickets, and consequently, has multiple serial codes.
The Celebi was re-released in Taiwan between December 10, 2021 and March 31, 2022.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Distribution
Jungle's Celebi Gift
You got Celebi!
Singapore Pokémon Center Birthday Pikachu & Eevee
These Pikachu and Eevee were distributed via serial code to players of Pokémon Sword and Shield at Pokémon Center in Singapore from March 7, 2020 to November 5, 2020, if they visited during the month of their birthday, but only if they provided proof of their date of birth and Nintendo Switch.
As both Pokémon share the same Wonder Card ID, players could only redeem 1 of the 2 Pokémon (Either Pikachu or Eevee) on a single save file.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is English in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
Happy Birthday!
You got Pikachu!
Happy Birthday!
You got Eevee!
Winter 2020 World Hobby Fair Gigantamax Pokémon
TheseGigantamax FactorLapras and Coalossal were given to players who challenged Gigantamax Lapras and Coalossal at a "Max Raid Battle Experience Corner" attraction at the 2020 Winter Next Generation World Hobby Fair. Both codes were redeemable until February 29, 2020.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Distribution
Gigantamax Coalossal Gift
You got Coalossal!
Jump Festa '20 Gigantamax Snorlax
This Gigantamax FactorSnorlax was given to players who attended Jump Festa '20 between December 21 and 22, 2019. The serial code was redeemable until January 31, 2020. It starts with a Dynamax Level of 5.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.
Distribution
Gigantamax Snorlax Gift
You got Snorlax!
Japan Pokémon Center Birthday Pikachu & Eevee
These Pikachu and Eevee were distributed via serial code to players of Pokémon Sword and Shield at Pokémon Center stores and Pokémon Stores in Japan from November 15, 2019 to October 31, 2020, if they visited during the month of their birthday, but only if they provided proof of their date of birth and Nintendo Switch.
As both Pokémon share the same Wonder Card ID, players could only redeem 1 of the 2 Pokémon (either Pikachu or Eevee) on a single save file.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Japanese in origin, regardless of the language of the game.
Distribution
Happy Birthday!
You got Pikachu!
Happy Birthday!
You got Eevee!
Poké Ball Plus Mew
Initially released with Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, the Poké Ball Plus comes programmed with an internal serial code to redeem this Mew that is compatible with Pokémon Sword and Shield. Despite being marketed as the Poké Ball Plus "containing" Mew, the serial code aspect means that, to claim Mew, the player must connect to the Internet through Mystery Gift.
The serial code aspect also means that it is impossible for a single manufactured Poké Ball Plus to redeem more than one Mew, even if the Poké Ball Plus is later resold. Players that purchased multiple Poké Ball Pluses can redeem one Mew for each.