Pokemon GO Easter Eggs: Uncover Hidden Secrets!
Hey guys! Ever wondered if there's more to Pokemon GO than just catching 'em all? Well, you're in for a treat! Just like in the core Pokemon games, Pokemon GO has its fair share of Easter eggs – hidden secrets and fun little features that add an extra layer of enjoyment to the game. These Easter eggs can range from naming tricks to evolution secrets, and discovering them can make your Pokemon GO experience even more rewarding. So, grab your Pokeballs, and let's dive into the exciting world of Pokemon GO Easter eggs! We'll explore some of the most popular and lesser-known secrets that will surely impress your friends and give you a new appreciation for this awesome game.
Naming Tricks: Eevee Evolutions
One of the most well-known and beloved Easter eggs in Pokemon GO involves the evolution of Eevee. Eevee, the Evolution Pokemon, is famous for its ability to evolve into multiple different forms, each with its own unique type and appearance. In the main series Pokemon games, the evolutions of Eevee are influenced by various factors such as evolutionary stones, friendship levels, and specific locations. Pokemon GO simplifies this process, but it also includes a clever naming trick that allows you to guarantee a specific evolution the first time you use the name. This trick pays homage to the original anime series and the Eevee brothers. To use this Easter egg, rename your Eevee before evolving it:
- Rainer for Vaporeon (Water-type)
 - Sparky for Jolteon (Electric-type)
 - Pyro for Flareon (Fire-type)
 
Important: This naming trick only works once for each evolution. After you've used the names once, the evolutions will revert to being random. So, make sure you choose your Eevee wisely! Why does this work? These names are based on the Pokemon anime! Rainer, Sparky, and Pyro are the names of the Eevee brothers who owned a Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon, respectively. It’s a super cool nod to the series that Pokemon GO developers included.
But wait, there's more! With the introduction of new Eevee evolutions in later generations, Pokemon GO added even more naming tricks. These require a bit more effort to unlock but are well worth it for completing your Pokedex. For Espeon and Umbreon, you can use the following names:
- Sakura for Espeon (Psychic-type)
 - Tamao for Umbreon (Dark-type)
 
Just like the original trick, these names are one-time use only. Sakura and Tamao are references to characters from the Pokemon anime, specifically the Kimono sisters who each own an Espeon and Umbreon. To evolve Eevee into Leafeon and Glaceon, you'll need to use the Mossy Lure and Glacial Lure, respectively, at a PokeStop. Simply place the lure, and then evolve Eevee while standing within range of the PokeStop. No name trick is needed for these evolutions, but you do need to be within the range of the Lure. For Sylveon, you need to earn 70 hearts with Eevee as your buddy.
These naming tricks and evolution methods add a fun and engaging element to Pokemon GO, allowing you to collect all the Eevee evolutions with a bit of strategy and effort. So go ahead, rename your Eevees, and complete your collection!
Pikachu as a Starter Pokemon
Did you know that you don't have to settle for Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle as your Pokemon GO starter? There's a simple trick to get Pikachu as your first Pokemon! When you start a new game, the Professor will offer you the classic trio. But instead of choosing one of them, simply walk away from them. They will reappear around you. Do this four times, and eventually, Pikachu will appear as an option alongside the original three. Now you can start your Pokemon GO journey with the electric mouse by your side. This is a super cool Easter egg that pays homage to Pikachu's iconic status as the Pokemon mascot. Plus, it's a fun way to start the game with a slightly different experience. This is a very well-known Easter egg among Pokemon GO players, but it's still a fun fact to share with new players! Starting with Pikachu gives you a slight edge in the early game, especially against Flying-type Pokemon that are common early on.
To make this trick work, you need to be persistent. Keep walking away from the starter Pokemon each time they reappear. It might take a few tries, but eventually, Pikachu will show up. And remember, this trick only works at the very beginning of the game when you are choosing your first Pokemon. Once you've caught one of the starters, you won't be able to use this trick again on that account.
Ditto Transformation
Ditto, the Transform Pokemon, has a unique ability to mimic the appearance of other Pokemon. In Pokemon GO, this ability is represented by Ditto disguising itself as common Pokemon in the wild. When you encounter a Pokemon that Ditto can transform into, there's a chance that it will reveal itself as Ditto after you catch it. This adds an element of surprise and excitement to your Pokemon GO experience. You never know when a seemingly ordinary Pokemon might turn out to be a Ditto in disguise!
Ditto's disguise changes periodically, so the list of Pokemon it can transform into varies. Keep an eye on Pokemon GO news and community forums to stay updated on the current Ditto disguises. When you catch a Pokemon that is known to be a Ditto disguise, there's a chance that the "Oh?" screen will appear after the catch, revealing that you've caught a Ditto instead. This is always a fun and unexpected surprise!
The mechanics behind Ditto's transformation in Pokemon GO are quite interesting. The Pokemon that Ditto disguises itself as are typically common and easily found in the wild. This makes the search for Ditto a bit of a treasure hunt, as you need to catch multiple of these common Pokemon in hopes of finding a Ditto. Once you've caught a Ditto, it can be used in battles and gyms, where it will transform into the opponent's Pokemon at the start of the battle. This makes Ditto a versatile and unpredictable Pokemon to have on your team.
Smeargle's Photo Bomb
Smeargle, the Painter Pokemon, is known for its unique move, Sketch, which allows it to copy the last move used by its opponent. In Pokemon GO, Smeargle appears as a surprise encounter when you take snapshots of your Pokemon. When you review your photos, there's a chance that Smeargle will photobomb one of your pictures. After the photobomb, Smeargle will appear in the wild, allowing you to catch it. This is a fun and creative way to encounter Smeargle and adds a bit of randomness to the game. The photobomb is a clever nod to Smeargle's artistic abilities, making it a memorable and unique encounter.
The process of encountering Smeargle through photobombs is quite simple. Just open the Pokemon GO app, go to your Pokemon storage, and select a Pokemon to take a photo of. Tap the screen to take a snapshot, and then review your photos. If you're lucky, Smeargle will appear in one of your photos, usually in a funny or unexpected pose. After you exit the photo album, Smeargle will appear on the map, allowing you to tap on it and initiate an encounter.
Smeargle's photobomb appearance is somewhat rare, so you might need to take multiple photos before you encounter it. However, the surprise and excitement of seeing Smeargle pop up in your photos make it a worthwhile endeavor. Plus, Smeargle's moveset is based on the Pokemon that were in your photo, so you can potentially get a Smeargle with some interesting moves.
Adventure Sync and Buddy Pokemon Perks
Pokemon GO's Adventure Sync feature allows you to track your distance walked even when the app is closed. This feature not only helps you hatch eggs and earn candy but also unlocks additional perks for your Buddy Pokemon. When you walk a certain distance with your Buddy Pokemon, you'll unlock various benefits, such as increased candy drops, a CP boost, and even the ability to find souvenirs. These perks make Adventure Sync a valuable tool for trainers who want to maximize their Pokemon GO experience.
To enable Adventure Sync, go to the settings menu in Pokemon GO and toggle the Adventure Sync option. You'll need to grant the app permission to access your device's motion data, but once that's done, you're all set. Adventure Sync will automatically track your distance walked, even when the app is closed. This means you can hatch eggs, earn candy, and unlock Buddy Pokemon perks simply by going about your daily activities.
The benefits of Adventure Sync extend beyond just hatching eggs and earning candy. Walking with your Buddy Pokemon also increases its friendship level, which unlocks even more perks. At higher friendship levels, your Buddy Pokemon can help you catch Pokemon in the wild, find items at PokeStops, and even bring you gifts. These perks make having a Buddy Pokemon a rewarding and engaging experience.
Location-Based Pokemon
While not technically an Easter egg, the concept of location-based Pokemon adds a layer of realism and exploration to Pokemon GO. Certain Pokemon are more likely to appear in specific environments or regions. For example, Water-type Pokemon are more common near bodies of water, while Grass-type Pokemon are more prevalent in parks and forests. This encourages players to explore their surroundings and discover new Pokemon in different locations. It's a fun way to learn more about your local environment and find Pokemon that you might not otherwise encounter.
To take advantage of location-based Pokemon, pay attention to the environment around you. If you're near a lake or river, be on the lookout for Water-type Pokemon like Magikarp, Psyduck, and Tentacool. If you're in a park or forest, keep an eye out for Grass-type Pokemon like Bulbasaur, Oddish, and Bellsprout. You can also use online resources and community forums to learn more about the specific Pokemon that are common in your area.
The concept of location-based Pokemon also extends to regional exclusives. These are Pokemon that are only available in certain parts of the world. For example, Tauros is exclusive to North America, Mr. Mime is exclusive to Europe, and Kangaskhan is exclusive to Australia. If you're traveling to a different country or region, be sure to keep an eye out for these regional exclusive Pokemon to add to your collection.
Conclusion
So there you have it, trainers! A dive into some of the coolest Pokemon GO Easter eggs. From naming tricks to evolution secrets, there's always something new to discover in this game. Keep exploring, keep experimenting, and most importantly, have fun catching 'em all! Who knows what other secrets are still waiting to be uncovered in the world of Pokemon GO? Happy hunting, and may your next catch be a shiny surprise!