Pokémon GO gives players a lot of opportunities to get shiny Pokémon, which are incredibly rare in the game. Normally, players can find Pokémon by participating in raids, events, or many other ways. For many players, catching shiny Pokémon is just as thrilling as the game itself. Some shiny Pokémon are fairly easy to find, appearing often in the wild or at special events, while others are incredibly rare.

These rare shinies show off a trainer's skill, commitment, and a bit of luck. Hunting for them requires careful planning, constant effort, and a good amount of in-game resources. Missing out on one of these shiny Pokémon can feel like a big disappointment, leaving players with a sense of regret long after the chance has ed. Unfortunately, there are plenty that are currently not available to catch.

10 Shiny Alolan Grimer Won’t Appear Anymore

We Lost A Slimy Pokémon

One of the new additions back at the third-anniversary event of Pokémon GO was Alolan Grimer. Alolan Grimer had a shiny version that players were eager to catch. However, getting a shiny Alolan Grimer wasn't easy because it couldn’t be found in the wild. Instead, players had to hatch 7km eggs, which required a lot of walking and effort. Many players spent hours visiting PokéStops to collect those eggs, hoping to finally hatch a shiny version, but the odds were quite low.

These days, things have changed. While regular Alolan Grimer can now be found in the wild, the shiny version is still not available that way. There’s no way to come across this rare shiny Pokémon by chance anymore. Those who managed to get a shiny Alolan Grimer during that original event can feel proud because it’s a great dual-type Pokémon that no one else can get.

9 Shiny Meltan Had A Lot of Requirements

There Was Too Much Needed To Get This One

Players could only have caught a shiny Meltan during a few special events in Pokémon GO. The first chance was in July 2021, for the game's fifth anniversary, when the chances of finding a shiny were higher. Players had a better shot at finding the shiny version during this event by using the Mystery Box, which is the main way to encounter Meltan.

There were earlier opportunities at events in February and April 2019 and November 2020, which also boosted the chances of finding shiny Meltan. Unfortunately, now that these events are over, there’s no chance of getting a shiny Meltan. Even though the Mystery Box still lets players find Meltan, it doesn't come with a chance of getting the shiny version.

8 Shiny Melmetal Was A Lot of Work To Get

This Pokémon Was Very Strong Though

Pokémon GO trainers could get a shiny Melmetal by completing a special research task called "Willow's Wardrobe." This event gave players a chance to encounter a shiny Melmetal, but it wasn't guaranteed. It required a lot of luck for it to show up as shiny during that event period. After that, there was no opportunity.

Unlike obtaining shiny Pokémon from raids, which involve uncertain chances through multiple battles, this opportunity was time-limited. Once the event ended, any chance to get a shiny Melmetal through this method was gone. Now, if anyone wants a shiny Melmetal, the only option is to trade with someone who got it during that event. Because of how exclusive it is, shiny Melmetal is considered one of the most sought-after and valuable shiny Pokémon in the game.

7 Shiny Smeargle Was A Picture of Surprise

The Most Creative Collaboration

Players could get a shiny Smeargle in Pokémon GO during special events connected to the GO Snapshot feature. Instead of just encountering Smeargle normally, players had to use the GO Snapshot to take pictures of other Pokémon. If they were lucky, Smeargle would pop up in the photo, and then it would be on the map to catch. Certain events, like the New Pokémon Snap Celebration in 2021 and the Festival of Colors in 2022 and 2023, increased the chances of seeing Smeargle.

At this point, unless Niantic reintroduces it in future events, the only shiny Smeargle players might have is one received during those limited-time opportunities. Right now, no one can get a shiny Smeargle through GO Snapshot, which means hoping and praying that Niantic does another event related to it.

6 Shiny Celebi Is A Psychic Trainer’s Dream

Definitely Worth The Effort

Catching a shiny Celebi in Pokémon GO was a real challenge, but it was also limited time. Players couldn’t find it randomly in the wild, in raids, or from eggs. The only way to get this shiny mythical Pokémon was by completing a specific Special Research task called "A Ripple in Time," back in August 2018. However, even during this task, finding the shiny version of this great Psychic-type Pokémon was really rare.

Right now, there’s nothing players can do to get a shiny Celebi in Pokémon GO. There are no events or research tasks available, and there’s no current way to encounter this shiny Pokémon. Unless it comes back in future updates or special events, the only option now is to trade with another player who managed to catch it before.

5 Players Only Had Two Chances For Shiny Jirachi

We Need More Chances

The only way to get a shiny Jirachi was by completing the "A Thousand-Year Slumber" Special Research Task back in August 2019 in Pokémon GO. This event was open to everyone, and those who completed the tasks were guaranteed a chance to encounter Jirachi, with the possibility of it being the shiny version. This was a great opportunity for players to add shiny Jirachi to their collection.

Right now, you can’t obtain shiny Jirachi through regular gameplay methods. There were only two research events where this was possible, so unless Niantic decides to bring back a similar event in the future, anyone’s best bet for getting a shiny Jirachi is to trade with other players who were lucky enough to catch one.

4 Both Versions Of Shiny Shaymin Are Unavailable

Two Times The Disappearance

A shiny Shaymin could have been found in two forms in Pokémon GO: the Land Forme and the Sky Forme. Getting a shiny Land Forme Shaymin involved some effort. At first, it was available through a special research task called “Masterwork Research: Glimmers of Gratitude.” The Sky Forme had a different route to becoming shiny. The best chance to get this one was to complete the special research quests tied to Pokémon GO Fest 2022 in Berlin or at other locations like Seattle or Sapporo.

These are two separate Pokémon, so that, unfortunately, means the one you don’t want could get brought back.

Players could get the shiny version by finishing various timed events and research tasks, but these opportunities depended on the specific location and date. Since the events were time-sensitive, participating quickly was key for a shot at getting this rare shiny. Just like the Land Forme, players had to complete the research quests for a chance at the shiny Sky Forme, but completing the tasks didn't guarantee a shiny Pokémon. Currently, neither shiny form of Shaymin is available for players to find.

3 Unown Has At Least Two Locked Shinies

If Only It Wasn't So Rare Regularly

Unown is hard to find on its own in Pokémon GO, let alone its shiny form. At first, only the standard 26-letter versions were available in Pokémon GO, and finding a shiny one was very rare. There are only a few events where players would be able to get a shiny, but now there doesn’t seem like there’s much hope in finding the shiny version thanks to the addition of the exclamation point (!) and question mark (?) forms.

However, keep in mind that some may be available, as there are basically almost 30 versions of this Pokémon out there. However, letters like C and V are still tied to specific events, meaning you missed out on catching them unless you took part in those events. You might still come across non-shiny Unown in the wild, but they are incredibly rare. So, if you need them, you’ll have to hope for future events where Niantic might give you another chance to catch the elusive shiny Unown.

2 Shiny Mew Should Really Make A Comeback

We'd Appreciate More Chances To Get Mew

During Pokémon GO’s seventh anniversary celebration, players had the chance to encounter a shiny Mew through a special quest that cost $5. This quest included various classic Pokémon challenges and required a lot of time and effort to complete. Although a Mew could be found by finishing the quest, there was no guarantee it would be the shiny version.

Mew is a favorite for many players, including myself, so I think there’s a pretty high chance that it will end up appearing again as a shiny.

The shiny Mew was particularly rare because it was only available during that limited-time event. Basically, if you missed out on the anniversary celebration, you lost your chance to catch a shiny Mew. Once the event ended, there was no way to obtain this special shiny Pokémon anymore. So anyone that wants it has to trade it with another player.

1 Shiny Zapdos Feels Like The Best

An Overpowered Shiny Would Be Great

Getting a shiny Zapdos in Pokémon GO has been quite a challenge that has changed over time. At first, your best chance to get a shiny Zapdos was during special events, especially Zapdos Day on July 21, 2018. This event was all about Zapdos and had higher chances of encountering a shiny version during Raid Battles.

Since then, there have been other events that featured Zapdos, but it remained a rare find. You might have been able to catch it during certain Raid Days or through Special Research Tasks in 2021, 2022, and 2023, but shiny rates were low, so it required a lot of effort and some luck. Unfortunately, those days are over, and unless Niantic decides to feature shiny Zapdos in another event, there’s no chance to catch a shiny version in Pokémon GO.