Summary
Released back in October of 2000,Pokemon GoldandSilverintroduced a new game mechanic to the then four-year-old franchise, giving players the chance to catch color-swapped variants of their favorite pokemon, referred to as “shiny Pokemon” by developerGame Freak.
Since then, shiny Pokemon have become a beloved staple of thePokemonfranchise, withPokemon SwordandShieldbringing the total number of catchable shiny Pokemon to an astounding 898 in the main series games. Of this expansive list,Niantic’s 2016 AR mobile titlePokemon GOlets players catch over 350, including a number of fan favorites from across the series' eight generations.
Updated on June 16, 2025, by Blaise Santi:Fans are eager for a new generation of Pokemon games to be announced, even though Pokemon GO players are already overwhelmed with the amount of Pokemon left for them to catch. There’s even plenty of Pokemon from the past four or five generations that are not yet obtainable in Pokemon GO, including fan-favorites like Mimikyu, Arceus, Palafin, and Dudunsparce. However, for those Pokemon past the first four generations you may not know were already in Pokemon GO, these five additional entries in this list have some of the coolest-looking shinies in the entire franchise.
Evolves from Rockruff for 50 candies
Attacks
Rock Throw, Sucker Punch (Midday & Dusk forms), Counter (Midnight & Dusk forms), Crunch, Drill Run (Midday form), Psychic Fangs (Midnight form), Iron Head (Dusk form), Stone Edge, Trailblaze
Pokedex Entry
The rocks in its mane are sharper than a knife. Fragments that break off are treasured as good luck charms.
There’s a clear theme to the shinies of Rockruff’s evolutionary line. The Rock-type Pokemon, introduced inPokemon Sun & Moon, has three different forms of its evolution Lycanroc: Midday, Midnight, and Dusk, depending on what time of day it evolves. Despite all three forms having different color palettes, their shiny forms coalesce into relatively the same shade of deep blue.
It’ll take quite a long time for fans of Lycanroc to catch all three shiny versions of it, but the end result is a pretty visually consistent evolutionary line. Plus, the midnight blue coloring on all three Lycanrocs fits the Pokemon’s overall vibe of being inspired by a werewolf, which typically transforms at night.
N/A
Low Kick, Poison Jab, Aerial Ace, Flying Press, Power-Up Punch, X-Scissor
Although its body is small, its proficient fighting skills enable it to keep up with big bruisers like Machamp and Hariyama.
Hawlucha’s main color scheme is already eclectic, combining red, green, orange, and white to resemble a luchador wrestler. However, his shiny form is a huge swing from his regular colors, swapping each of them out for black, purple, lime green, and red, respectively. In the anime, this version of Hawlucha (as owned by Carl in theX&Yseries) was referred to as “Dark Hawlucha”.
This shiny form certainly adds a lot of personality to Hawlucha, a Pokemon that already has a ton of character. It feels more like a wrestling heel than a heroic luchador, which is very appropriate for its design. Suffice it to say, this shiny wrestler fits nicely alongside the other martial artists in the Pokemon world, like Incineroar, Hariyama, and Grapploct.
Evolves into Golurk for 50 candies
Astonish, Mud-Slap, Brick Break, Night Shade, Shadow Punch
Although ancient people apparently built it by working with clay, the source of its energy is unclear.
Golett and its evolution Golurk are some of the best-designed Pokemon from the fifth generation games,Pokemon Black & White. Though their standard blueish-grey color schemes fits its design, apparently intended to be some kind of ancient automaton controlled by a mysterious energy. However, for both of their shiny forms, its color scheme changes to fit the games it’s form.
That’s right, shiny Golett and Golurk both take on a black-and-white look for their shiny forms, and while Golurk’s is similarly good-looking, the simplicity of Golett’s is the one we prefer. Of course, when you’ve got a Pokemon as cool looking as these two on your team, having their shiny forms only increases their stylishness.
Evolves from Corvisquire for 100 candies
Air Slash, Sand Attack, Steel Wing, Payback, Sky Attack, Iron Head
This Pokémon reigns supreme in the skies of the Galar region. The black luster of its steel body could drive terror into the heart of any foe.
CompetitivePokemonfans have a certain affinity for Corviknight, one of the most viable Pokemon to enter the series in recent years. Its sleek, dark violet color scheme makes it resemble some kind of black knight, befitting the United Kingdom-inspired region of Galar fromPokemon Sword & Shield, the games in which Corviknight first appeared as its generation’s taxi service and regional bird.
However, Corviknight’s shiny form, as on display above, trades its black knight attire for something more traditionally noble. This stunning silverish-grey makes Corviknight look like a properly stereotypical medieval knight, making it one of the most inspired shiny Pokemon designs in the entire franchise. It’s quite a step up from its earliest pre-evo Rookidee’s eggy yellow shiny.
Evolves from Lechink for 50 candies
Tackle, Take Down, Body Slam, Dig, Trailblaze
This Pokémon sends a flowerlike scent wafting about. Well-developed muscles in its legs allow it to leap more than 16 feet with no trouble at all.
Something must’ve gotten mixed up at Game Freak when it comes to the most recent generation’s early game Normal-type. Oinkologne comes with two forms, male and female, that evolve from its pre-evolution Lechonk. Like their pre-evolved form, both Oinkologne forms have a dark color scheme; male Oinkologne is a dark purple with pink feet while female Oinkologne is shades of brown.
However, for their shiny forms, both male and female Oinkologne take on the more stereotypical appearance of a pig with similar shades of pink. What’s surprising about this familiar shiny coloring is that it makes Oinkologne the first pig-inspired Pokemon to actually take cues from its origin’s frequent colors, as opposed to the Tepig line’s orange or Spoink’s grey with only splashes of pink and purple.
Evolves from Zorua for 50 candies
Shadow Claw, Snarl, Flamethrower, Foul Play, Night Shade, Sludge Bomb
If it thinks humans are going to discover its den, Zoroark shows them visions that make them wander around in the woods.
Zoroark is one of the most iconic Pokemon from the fifth generation, and it can be difficult to find inPokemon GO. Its pre-evolution, Zorua, will often disguise itself in the wild as the player’s partner Pokemon, but players won’t be able to tell until they successfully catch the Pokemon. Still, if you’re prone to getting tricked by Zorua often, you’ll have no trouble finding yourself a Zoroark.
Shiny Zoroark, while even harder to come by, is well worth it. Its red-highlighted fur is replaced with a stunning purple hue, making it one of the most visually stunning Dark-types inPokemon GO. Sadly, its Normal/Ghost-type Hisuian form has yet to appear inPokemon GO, but when it does, fans will get to add another cool purplish Zoroark to their teams.
Dragon
Evolution Data
Evolves from Sliggoo for 100 candies on a rainy day or near a Rainy Lure Module
Dragon Breath, Water Gun, Aqua Tail, Draco Meteor, Muddy Water, Power Whip, Sludge Wave, Thunder Punch
This very friendly Dragon-type Pokémon will hug its beloved Trainer, leaving that Trainer covered in sticky slime.
Goodra and its pre-evolutions easily take the cake for the cutest pseudo-legendaries in the entire franchise. In addition to their cute, greyish-purple color, they also have a pretty unique shiny coloring, with each of the three stages adopting a pale yellow color with reddish-orange bellies.
However, managing to evolve your Goomy into a Sliggoo, and then that into Goodra, will take some elbow grease from players. Sliggoo requires 100 Goomy candies to evolve into Goodra, and it also needs to be a rainy day. Suffice it to say, if you have nothing else to do on a rainy day, try opening upPokemon Goto see if there are any Goomys near you!
Evolves from Foongus for 50 candies
Astonish, Feint Attack, Foul Play, Grass Knot, Sludge Bomb
It lures prey close by dancing and waving its arm caps, which resemble Poke Balls, in a swaying motion.
Amoonguss and its pre-evolution, Foongus, are unique Pokemon in the franchise. These mushroom-shaped Pokemon blend in with tall grass by lookinglike Poke Balls, which is a trait the Pokemon even shares with its Paradox form inPokemon Scarlet & Violet: Brute Bonnet. As you’re able to imagine, the shiny version of these Pokemon take things a step further.
By changing the Poke Ball color on these Pokemon from red to purple, it now resembles a Master Ball, one of the rarest items in thePokemonfranchise. The only downside to shiny Amoonguss is that trainers in the wild may mistake it for an incredibly lucky item they’ve found in tall grass!
Evolves into Marshtomp for 25 candies
Tackle, Water Gun, Dig, Sludge, Stomp
The fin on Mudkip’s head acts as highly sensitive radar. Using this fin to sense movements of water and air, this Pokémon can determine what is taking place around it without using its eyes.
We’re convinced that Mudkip’s shiny form could be literally any color, and we’d still consider it one of the best shiny starters inPokemon Go. However, the hot pink coloring replacing the variations of blue for Mudkip’s entire evolutionary line surprisingly works.
Mudkip just barely edges out its evolutions in being the best-looking shiny of the trio, due to its darker-orange-colored gills pairing better with the pink color than Marshtomp and Swampert’s lighter-orange. Still, it helps that all three of them look incredible with this color scheme, which is more than can be said about many other shiny starter Pokemon.
Evolves from Marill for 25 candies
Bubble, Rock Smash, Hydro Pump, Ice Beam, Play Rough
Azumarill’s long ears are indispensable sensors. By focusing its hearing, this Pokémon can identify what kinds of prey are around, even in rough and fast-running rivers.
As far as Shiny Pokemon in the entirePokemonfranchise, Azurill and Marill aren’t that impressive. Their good-looking blue color is replaced by a bright green reminiscent of Charli XCX’sBrat. However, things really take a better turn with their final evolution, Azumarill, which adopts a bright yellow coloring that almost looks golden.
Especially compared to its pre-evolutions, Azumarill really pops off with this golden yellow coloring, which fits its rabbit-like design and personality a lot better than that hideous bright green. Considering how easy it is to evolve Azumarill and Marill into their final evolution, players don’t have to be stuck with those forms for long.
