Pokemon GO: The Best Looking Shinies In The Game

Highlights

Shiny Pokemon are a beloved staple in the Pokemon franchise, with a total of 898 catchable in main series games.
Pokemon GO allows players to catch over 350 shiny Pokemon, including fan favorites like Ninetales and Yveltal.
Shiny variants make classic Pokemon like Charizard and Lapras feel new and exciting with unique color palettes.

As a dedicated Pokémon trainer for over two decades, I have seen my fair share of Shiny Pokémons, but none have left me as awestruck as the ones featured in Pokémon Go. From the enchanting Shiny Vaporeon to the majestic Shiny Lapras, these Shinies truly elevate the gaming experience and breathe new life into classic designs.

Introduced in October 2000, the games Pokémon Gold and Silver, part of the franchise that was already four years old at the time, introduced a novel gameplay feature. This allowed players to capture alternate color versions of their favorite Pokémon, which were later named “shiny Pokémon” by developers Game Freak.

Ever since then, Pokémon with a radiant sheen have grown to be cherished mainstays within the Pokémon universe. In the main series games like Pokémon Sword and Shield, there are now an incredible 898 catchable shiny Pokémon! Niantic’s 2016 augmented reality mobile game, Pokémon GO, enables players to capture over 350 of these, featuring many beloved characters from across the series’ eight generations.

25 Shiny Ninetales

Pokemon GO: The Best Looking Shinies In The Game

Ninetales is among the initial 151 Pokémon introduced in the first generation, and interestingly, it evolves from Vulpix – another popular choice from the same era. Luckily, this particular Pokémon isn’t hard to come by, so capturing a Shiny version of it in Pokémon GO isn’t overly challenging.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve always admired the unique charm of Ninetales, but nothing compares to the allure of its Shiny form! Instead of the original cream hue, this variant turns the Pokemon white, with striking blue tips on those captivating tails. The change in color makes it truly pop out amidst the game world. It’s no surprise that many fellow gamers are smitten by this enchanting creature, and I can’t help but join their adoration for the mesmerizing Shiny Ninetales.

24 Shiny Chandelure

In the fifth generation of Pokemon, we find Chandelure, an intriguing character who represents the final form of Litwick. Its design resembles chandeliers and candelabras, features that many players find appealing and cool.

The standard Pokemon appearance features a blend of bluish-purple and black, which suits it well given its Ghost/Fire-Type. But when it transforms into the Shiny version, the flames on the Pokemon are changed to red and orange, maintaining the Pokemon’s theme and Type.

23 Shiny Yveltal

In the game “Pokemon Y,” Yveltal serves as the Legendary Pokemon. This particular Pokemon has gained quite a following among players, a trend that often occurs with box art Legendary Pokemon. What makes Yveltal particularly intriguing is its unique characteristics within the world of Pokemon.

Initially, the Pokemon has a color scheme of red and black, which creates a striking appearance. But the Shiny variant gives it a unique twist. In this Shiny version, the black parts are replaced with white, adding an even more eye-catching appeal to its design.

22 Shiny Starmie

Regrettably, Starmie doesn’t garner as much attention as many other water Pokémon currently available. However, fans who experienced Generation 1 will undoubtedly recall this legendary pocket monster due to Misty; it tends to blend in among the abundance of new and captivating Pokémon that are presented.

It’s fortunate that the developers chose an unusual and distinct Shiny color palette for it, making it more noticeable among similar designs. Pokemon fans who appreciate the star shape will undoubtedly catch the attention of their rivals by obtaining its Shiny version, where the purples are replaced with blues, and the gem is accentuated by a vibrant red outline.

21 Shiny Sylveon

Occasionally, I find that the most striking Shiny versions are those with subtle modifications. Take Sylveon for instance; it’s a brilliant demonstration of this approach, thanks to the clever alteration of its original design. While many gamers will recall Sylveon as Eevee’s elegant white-and-pink Fairy-type evolution, the Shiny version introduces a vibrant new color that makes it stand out even more proudly.

The blue used for Sylveon’s Shiny form still fits the Fairy motif very well, while giving players something truly unique to quest for.

20 Shiny Furret

An alternative, yet highly effective option, is the lovable and surprisingly large Furret. This Pokemon, resembling a ferret, has captured the hearts of many fans due to its incredibly cute aesthetics. Despite Furret being the most versatile pocket monster in combat, it hasn’t deterred dedicated players from strategizing ways to incorporate it into their teams.

In the Shiny variant of Furret, the usual brown circles are replaced with pink ones, resulting in a noticeable yet straightforward modification to its overall appearance.

19 Shiny Ponyta

Among the early horse-themed Pokemons introduced, Ponyta stood out as a beloved character for many Pokemon enthusiasts. Its unique design showcases bright red flames instead of its normal mane and tail fur, which beautifully symbolizes its fire-based characteristics. When creating its shiny form, Game Freak decided to enhance this concept even more.

Instead of fiery red flames, Shiny Ponyta exhibits vibrant blue ones. Interestingly, these blue flames are typically hotter than their red counterparts, a fact familiar to many from their high school science lessons. Moreover, Ponyta’s Galarian form and its shiny version are among the cooler-looking ones in the Pokémon world.

18 Shiny Luxray

While some might appreciate the classic contrast between blue and black, Shiny Luxray’s vibrant yellow hue certainly sets it apart among others. Admittedly, this brightness slightly dims its distinctive yellow eyes, but at least, it’s immediately identifiable as a Shiny Pokemon, something not always evident.

The vivid yellow hue distinctively showcases Luxray’s electrical typing, something its usual form lacks. Casual players might mistakenly categorize Luxray as a dark-type Pokémon, a classification that aligns more with certain of its characteristics and qualities.

17 Shiny Dragonite

In Pokemon GO, there are many orange dragon-like creatures, but very few green ones. Interestingly, since most depictions of dragons are either green or black, Dragonite’s shiny version aligns more closely with a typical player’s image of a dragon compared to its regular form.

The vibrant light green hue brings about quite an impactful shift, yet it doesn’t inherently mean it’s a negative change. In fact, it complements beautifully the purple found beneath the Pokemon’s wings, and harmonizes well with the cream color that spans its chest and abdomen.

16 Shiny Umbreon

In comparison to other dazzling Pokémon within the series, some individuals might find Shiny Umbreon somewhat unimpressive. The modifications are quite subtle, but considering the powerful design of the original Umbreon, it’s reasonable why Game Freak chose this path. The convenience of transforming a Shiny Eevee into a Shiny Umbreon adds to its appeal as well.

The distinct blue patterns on its head, limbs, and tail significantly contrast with the black fur of the Pokémon, creating a stronger dark-type aesthetic compared to the initial yellow design. Additionally, the blue seems more menacing, aligning well with the backstory of this particular Pokémon species.

15 Shiny Charizard

Originally, Charizard’s design is one of the most well-known and easily identifiable in the Pokémon series. One might expect a minimalistic approach when designing its shiny form. However, Game Freak chose to go against the grain, making significant changes that fundamentally altered the appearance of the Pokémon instead.

In a slightly different wording: Charizard has typically had a bit of an ominous appearance, but Shiny Charizard amps up the intensity. Its dark red and black color scheme is downright menacing and bears resemblance to Mega Charizard X’s form. It might not appeal to all, yet numerous players believe that Shiny Charizard is the best shiny Pokemon available in Pokemon GO.

14 Shiny Gyarados

In the Pokemon franchise, Shiny Gyarados is a beloved character among long-term fans, evoking nostalgia from a memorable confrontation at Lake of Rage during the second generation of games. One of the rare instances in the series where players were ensured to encounter a shiny version, this added allure to Gyarados.

As a longtime Pokémon enthusiast who has been collecting these magical creatures since I was just a kid, let me tell you that the recent palette swap for Gyarados is nothing short of breathtaking. Growing up, I always admired the iconic blue coloring of gen 1 water/flying type Pokemon, but this bold crimson makeover takes it to a whole new level. The intimidating demeanor of Gyarados has been amplified, making it stand out even more among its peers. When it comes to shiny Pokémon, I’ve seen my fair share, but I must say that Gyarados holds its own and is definitely worthy of recognition. It’s moments like these that remind me why I fell in love with this fantastic world of Pokémon all those years ago.

13 Shiny Spoink

As a gamer, I can’t help but notice the charm of many Pokemon scattered across the Global Pokedex, but some stand out as truly one-of-a-kind. Take Spoink for instance, with its curly springy tail and the peculiarity that it needs to keep bouncing just to stay alive. It’s a bit of an oddball concept, yet it works so well, especially given its cute appearance. Its evolution, Grumpig, might not be as endearing as the little bouncy Spoink, but it still manages to captivate certain trainers.

In its Shiny version, Spoink swaps its purple and gray coloring for a vibrant yellow and gray palette, adding a touch of brilliance to this adorable creature.

12 Shiny Spinda

As a passionate Pokémon fan, I can’t help but appreciate the often-overlooked charm of Spinda, the whimsical panda-like creature. What might seem ordinary at first glance, is actually a fascinating Pokémon with its peculiar patterns that set it apart from others. Across different versions of the Pokémon game, you can encounter numerous unique Spinda variants. And if you’re playing Pokémon GO, there are no less than 9 stunning shiny Spindas to catch, each one boasting a distinctive pattern due to the varying spots on its body!

As a gamer, I can tell you that the standard Spinda sports a bold pink hue, but the Shiny version tosses things around by transforming the pink into a delicate pastel green. This new color scheme gives Spinda a more subdued look, which I find refreshing. However, for those on the hunt for Shiny variants, they might just get a headache due to the sheer number of options available!

11 Shiny Vaporeon

Among the various forms Eevee can take in the series, Vaporeon is either caught in Pokemon Go by patrolling water bodies like rivers, dams, and canals or transformed directly from an Eevee. Notably, if a player has secured a Shiny Eevee, evolving this creature will produce a Shiny Eeveelution of the player’s preference.

Instead of the typical blue color scheme for Shiny Vaporeon, you’ll find a delightful mix of pink and purple instead. To ensure your Eevee evolves into a Vaporeon, just name it “Rainer.” However, keep in mind that this method can be used only once.

10 Shiny Lapras

Since 1996, Lapras, one of the initial 151 Pokemon, has been deeply ingrained in the memories of Pokemon enthusiasts. In fact, when players navigated water using the surf move in generations I and II, it was always a Lapras sprite they saw. Therefore, any changes to its original design would inevitably face close examination by the community due to its iconic status.

Although Shiny Lapras subtly transforms its typical blue color into a soft lavender, it’s just enough of a twist to breathe new life into an old beloved character without overhauling the original design drastically. The transformation is somewhat subtle, but it makes a significant impact.

9 Shiny Politoed

Although a small frog Pokemon may not be top choice for many players in terms of strength, Politoed stands out with one of the most striking shiny appearances among all Pokemon in the series. Similar to other impressive shinies found in Pokemon GO, the alterations are subtle but significantly enhance the Pokemon’s overall look.

Instead of its typical green and yellow scheme, Shiny Politoed exhibits a vibrant mix of purple and blue hues that harmoniously match the swirl on its belly. For those seeking an original and entertaining piece to add to their collections, be sure to watch out for this Pokemon in watery environments.

8 Shiny Delibird

Following the trend of character redesigns within the franchise, Game Freak creators decided to replace the traditional red Delibird with a blue-ish purple one, which harmoniously fits the overall aesthetic of the flying/ice-type Pokemon. The new color scheme looks fantastic and significantly alters the appearance of the Pokemon in an impressive way.

Furthermore, the Pokemon’s colder color scheme better represents its numerous ice-based moves, making it an even greater delight to include on your squad. Since the pool of powerful ice-type Pokemon is relatively small within the game, this advantageous trait is certainly something to appreciate.

7 Shiny Rayquaza

As a dedicated Pokémon enthusiast, I can attest that no other Shiny Pokémon has ignited the imagination of our community quite like Shiny Rayquaza. This Flying/Dragon-type, debuted in gen III, boasts an extraordinary emerald green, red, and yellow color scheme that makes it seem almost otherworldly.

Instead, Shiny Rayquaza significantly enhances its design with a darker, ominous black color instead of the usual vibrant green scales. This alteration transforms it into an intimidating figure among legendary Pokémon, making it a valuable addition to any trainer’s team.

6 Shiny Gardevoir

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t deny my admiration for the legendary Pokemon Gardevoir. This psychic/fairy-type is an unparalleled asset in battles against fighting-types. It’s not just fellow psychic types that should watch their backs; it also gives dark and ghost types a run for their money, thanks to its impressive arsenal of moves. In essence, Gardevoir is a versatile Pokemon that few others can rival when it comes to adaptability.

Moreover, Gardevoir is admired by the Pokémon community for its appealing design that sparked fans’ creativity. Yet, Game Freak took it a step further by introducing the shimmering version of Gardevoir, where the usual green accents are replaced with a soft, delicate blue.

2024-08-02 09:54