The celebrations also brought a new Professor Willow Pikachu, a matching plush, and a massive Mewtwo battle in Times Square.
Pokémon GO is officially celebrating its 10th anniversary, with new announcements looking ahead to the game's next decade while also marking just how far it has come since 2016.
Along with the celebrations come exciting plans for Pokémon GO's future, from three major areas set to guide the game through its next 10 years, to a special Professor Willow Pikachu coming both in-game and as a plush.
And while the announcements gave players a glimpse at what is ahead, Pokémon GO also went big for the occasion in Times Square, New York. The area's screens plunged into darkness before replaying the game's original 2016 trailer, leading into the Mewtwo battle it first imagined a decade ago. Thousands of players then took part in a Unity Raid against Mewtwo, with Mega Mewtwo Y eventually caught in a Master Ball before the entire battle ran again for a second Mewtwo.
What are Pokémon GO's plans for the next 10 years?
Pokémon GO is already looking beyond its 10th anniversary, with three major areas set to guide the game through its second decade: Community, Core Memories and Multi-Generational Play.
Michael Steranka, Vice President of Product for Pokémon GO at Scopely Explore, outlined the three focuses during a press conference held ahead of the anniversary livestream.
Community will focus on Gyms and the role they play in bringing players together, while Core Memories will look at giving players more ways to create strong memories through playing together. Multi-Generational Play, meanwhile, will focus on ensuring Pokémon GO can be played and enjoyed across generations.
Further details on what Pokémon GO has planned for each of the three areas have yet to be announced.
Professor Willow Pikachu is coming to Pokémon GO
The future was not the only thing on the agenda, as Professor Willow is also getting his own Pikachu for Pokémon GO's 10th anniversary, complete with the professor's signature look.
Officially called Professor Willow's assistant Pikachu, the new costumed Pokémon will make its debut as part of Professor Willow's birthday celebrations. According to the Pokémon GO website, Players will be able to encounter it through Field Research, Timed Research, snapshot surprises, and raids.
Lucky players may even encounter a Shiny Professor Willow's assistant Pikachu or one with a team leader-specific Special Background. A free Timed Research will also be available, offering encounters with Professor Willow's assistant Pikachu, one Lucky Egg, one Star Piece, and more rewards. The Timed Research tasks must be completed and all rewards claimed before 27 July, 2026 at 8:00 PM local time.
Event-themed Field Research will offer even more chances to encounter Professor Willow's assistant Pikachu, alongside rewards including PokéCoins and Lucky Eggs.
And for those who want to bring Professor Willow's assistant home, the costumed Pikachu is also getting its own plush. The Professor Willow Pikachu plush will be available through the Pokémon Center in the near future.
Pokémon GO 10th anniversary pop-up opens in Times Square
The anniversary celebrations did not stop with the livestream either, with Pokémon GO also opening a special 10th anniversary pop-up in Times Square.
In-game spawns and raids rotated through the different years of Pokémon GO's history, beginning with 2017 and raids featuring Pokémon such as Lugia, before moving through later years.
The pop-up served as the centre of the anniversary livestream before the Times Square takeover, and Mewtwo's battle brought the celebration back to the moment that helped introduce Pokémon GO to the world 10 years ago.
With its 10th anniversary celebrations now underway, Pokémon GO is already setting its sights on what comes next. More details on its plans for Community, Core Memories, and Multi-Generational Play have yet to be revealed, but with a new decade ahead, Pokémon GO's journey is far from over.
