‘Pokémon Go’ celebrates the new year with Pokémon from the Hoenn Region

For the new year, Niantic is bringing back older Pok

Augmented reality monster catching game Pokémon Go is starting the year with a bit of a throwback, highlighting monsters from the Hoenn region which were introduced in 2017.

"We’re kicking off the new year with a brand-new celebration! Pokémon originally discovered in the Hoenn Region will be appearing more frequently in the wild. Plus, if you evolve Shroomish into Breloom during the event, it will know the exclusive move Grass Knot!" says game maker Niantic, on its Pokemon Go blog. 

It announced that the two week event will run until Jan 30, 5am Malaysian time, during which players will see Pokémon from the region appearing more in the wild, in 7km eggs and as prizes for completing Field Research challenges.

The game encourages players to walk more by giving them eggs that hatch once a specific amount of distance has been travelled, from 2km, 5km, 7km and 10km.

Niantic says other features of the celebration include the appearance of legendary Pokémon Kyogre and Groudon in raid battles, new avatar outfits for sale in the store, and new shiny versions of Zigzagoon, Taillow and Groudon.

Shiny Pokémon are alternate colour schemes of standard monsters which are more rare and sometimes only available during promotional periods.