Pokemon is no stranger to its variety of events. Events can be a very broad term, especially when it comes to the ones occasionally available in the games. You could describe something as simple as getting your starter Pokemon an event, while you could also restrict it to occasions involving legendary or mythical Pokemon.
We’re referring to events as special, legendary, and mythical Pokemon only obtainable with methods that aren’t available in the base game alone. Generation 4 of the series is one of, if not the most, event-Pokemon-heavy generations in the entire franchise. Most of these events can no longer be triggered legitimately but can be accessed through the use of cheats.
10 Manaphy & Phione
Manaphy is a small, cute Water-type mythical Pokemon with a very unique method of being obtained. In order to access it you need to complete a mission revolving around obtaining its egg in any Pokemon Ranger title. From there you can transfer it to any Generation 4 game and hatch it.
Phione is also in a unique situation, as it’s up for debate whether or not it is a mythical Pokemon. Obtaining one simply requires you to breed a Manaphy with a Ditto to get a Phione egg. Despite this it’s actually impossible for Phione to evolve into Manaphy.
9 Shaymin
Shaymin is a tiny Grass-type mythical Pokemon that gains a Flying typing when it undergoes its form change. In order to obtain Shaymin a player must get an event item called Oak’s Letter, which was distributed over Wi-Fi in 2009.
With the letter in hand, in Pokemon Platinum the player can meet Professor Oak at the end of route 224, just east of Victory Road. After some dialogue a path to Flower Paradise opens, where the player can then travel and encounter a Shaymin to catch.
8 Celebi
Celebi is another Grass-typed mythical Pokemon paired with the Psychic typing. It’s one of the most elusive mythical Pokemon to date, having some of the fewest opportunities to obtain it. Fortunately, in early 2011 players of the Generation 4 games had their chance at grabbing a distributed one.
There isn’t any special cutscene or anything for obtaining Celebi. Once you receive it and talk to the NPC that give it to you, it simply appears in your party. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, you can take this Celebi to Ilex Forest to access an event that sheds light on the backstory of your rival Silver.
7 Darkrai
Darkrai is one of the very few Dark-typed mythical Pokemon. To access its event not only does a player need to obtain the Member Card distributed in 2009, but they also need to have met Cresselia. With these conditions met they can enter the Harbor Inn that triggers the sequence.
After being greeted by an ominous man the player falls into a nightmare where they then mysteriously appear on Newmoon Island. Inside they encounter Darkrai whom can then be battled and captured.
6 Mew
Mew is the very original mythical Pokemon and the only one from the Kanto region. It’s one of the hardest Pokemon for fans to get their hands on but has been gifted out several times. The first opportunity owners of HeartGold and SoulSilver got was in fall of 2010.
This Mew was distributed out to players to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Pokemon Gold and Silver. Although it was only available for 15 days back then, there is luckily a way to get a legitimate Mew these days through the Poke Ball Plus.
5 Jirachi
Jirachi is one of the few Steel/Psychic types from the Hoenn region and is one of the two mythical Pokemon from there. It’s up there with both Celebi and Mew in how rare it is, not having any distributions in Sword and Shield as of yet.
Back in Generation 4, they had the chance for a Jirachi in the summer of 2010. This Jirachi comes at level 5 in the rare Cherish Ball, and unlike many others in this list was able to be received across all games in this generation.
4 Spiky-Eared Pichu
The Spiky-Eared Pichu is a Pokemon available in HeartGold and SoulSilver, with its slightly spiked ear separating it from regular Pichu. This Pokemon hasn’t been available in any game since Generation 4 and still can’t be obtained in later entries since it can’t be traded.
It first required the Pikachu-Colored Pichu, another Pichu distributed in early 2010 through Mystery Gift. Upon taking it to Ilex Forest you would encounter the Spiky-Eared Pichu and it would join your party.
3 Registeel, Regirock & Regice
Registeel, Regirock and Regice are the three legendary titans shrouded in mystery from the Hoenn region. They’re available in a large number of entries in the franchise, including in Pokemon Platinum. It isn’t possible to get them in the base game alone, however.
They are each located in their own dedicated chambers within Iron Island, Route 228 and Mt. Coronet respectively. These rooms are empty by themselves, but having the event Regigigas in your party will activate them and allow you to battle each one.
2 Regigigas
Regigigas is the master of the legendary titans that were just previously mentioned. Unlike the other entries in this list, Regigigas was available in the base Diamond and Pearl games from release and can still be obtained. It has specific conditions that must be met before it can be captured.
Firstly the player needs access to the Snowpoint Temple, which is gained by obtaining the National Dex. After completing some ice puzzles they’ll find it on the uppermost floor but cannot be interacted with. It’ll only react and start a battle if they possess the legendary titans in their party at that time. Given that the titans require this Regigigas to activate in the first place, this makes it impossible to obtain without outside help.
1 Arceus
Arceus has the reputation both in lore and among fans worthy of the god of all Pokemon. It has some of the greatest importance to the Pokemon world, yet in an ironic twist was impossible to access in Generation 4 outside of direct distribution. This is due to the fact that its dedicated event item, the Azure Flute, was never released. Through hacking, fans have discovered what would happen if it was.
Upon taking the Azure Flute to the Spear Pillar and playing it, an ascending staircase to the Hall of Origin would appear. The player ascends these stairs onto a suspended glass platform where Arceus awaits, who then challenges them. This very Arceus can be brought to HeartGold and SoulSilver into the Ruins of Alph to trigger another event. That event transfers the player to the Sinjoh Ruins where they can choose two from the legendary trio of Dialga, Palkia and Giratina to receive.
NEXT: Pokemon: Every New Legendary That Was Introduced In Diamond And Pearl
