The Pokémon GO April Fools’ Day event of 2025 adds a fun spin for trainers, following in the footsteps of imaginative, single-day-only festivities. This year’s event takes place from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. local time on April 1.
The 2025 event adds encounters with Pokémon that look like Poké Balls, including Voltorb and Electrode (both regular and Hisuian), Foongus, Amoonguss, and Galarian Stunfisk. These Pokémon will be visible when trainers visit Poké Balls that are distributed throughout the map.
Shiny versions of these Pokémon may even be encountered by fortunate trainers during the event. This activity not only provides a comical touch but also assists trainers in filling their Pokédex while gaining free Poké Balls using these encounters.
For Pokemon GO April Fools’ Day Event this year, Niantic has also released the “Power Up Ticket,” which can be purchased in the in-game store for $4.99 until April 11.
The ticket gives trainers rewards like additional Candy XL in Raid and Gym Battles and three times the XP for their initial catches and PokéStop spins of the day. The ticket also comes with Timed Research tasks that give extra rewards.
Pokémon GO has a tradition of marking April Fools’ Day with offbeat events. As examples:
- In 2018, the game used 8-bit graphics as a retro tribute to classic Pokémon games.
- In 2024, a happening converted all “Nice Throws” to “Excellent Throws,” so trainers could find it simpler to finish Special Research missions that demanded Excellent Throws.
Top 5 Things to Know About Pokémon GO’s April Fools’ Day Event 2025
1. Event Theme: “What’s That Poké Ball?”
The “What’s That Poké Ball?” theme is the core of Pokémon GO’s April Fools’ Day event for 2025. This concept is about Pokémon hiding as if they were Poké Balls.
Pokémon Used:
- Voltorb and Hisuian Voltorb: Due to their shape, which resembles Poké Balls, the Electric-type Pokémon are the best choices for such a theme.
- Electrode and Hisuian Electrode: Both evolved from Voltorb, these Pokémon also have a Poké Ball-like appearance and will be included in the event.
- Foongus and Amoonguss: Although these mushroom Pokémon may not necessarily look like Poké Balls, the fact that they appear as balls on the map makes it all the more shocking.
- Galarian Stunfisk: This Ground/Steel-type Pokémon may not necessarily have a Poké Ball-like appearance, but it will also be included in the event.
When these Poké Balls are visible on the map to players, they can tap on them to open up an encounter. These encounters, unlike standard Poké Balls, which catch Pokémon will cause battles or wild Pokémon encounters.
The element of surprise is an integral aspect of the event’s appeal. Players will not have any idea about which Pokémon they are going to encounter unless they press on the “Poké Ball.” This makes the game exciting and interesting, as trainers can get a regular Pokémon or even a rare one, including the Shiny versions.
2. Shiny Pokémon Availability
One of the best things about the Pokémon GO April Fools’ Day event is the possibility of catching Shiny Pokémon. Shiny Pokémon are their normal Pokémon with unique appearances.
Throughout the event, players can catch Shiny versions of the costume-like Pokémon that resemble Poké Balls, such as Voltorb, Hisuian Voltorb, Electrode, Hisuian Electrode, Foongus, Amoonguss, and Galarian Stunfisk.
Shiny Pokémon are unique forms of Pokémon that have different colors from their regular counterparts. They are very rare and can be found in the wild, hatched from eggs, or obtained via other special circumstances.
Shiny Pokémon are not different in terms of stats or abilities from their non-Shiny counterparts; they are mainly desired for their appearance and rarity.
At the Pokemon GO April Fools’ Day Event, the Pokémon that are disguised in the form of Poké Balls are Shiny-possible. It is a possibility that, when a player taps on one of these “Poké Balls” and proceeds to encounter the Pokémon, there is a very slight chance that the Pokémon will be Shiny.
Why Are Shiny Pokémon Significant?
- Rarity: Shiny Pokémon are very rare, and thus they are a collector’s dream catch.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The coloration of Shiny Pokémon makes them aesthetically pleasing and different from their normal counterparts.
- Completionism: For those who want to complete their Pokédex, Shiny Pokémon provide an added challenge and sense of accomplishment.
- Community Recognition: Catching a Shiny Pokémon can earn recognition within the Pokémon GO community.
Tips for Catching Shiny Pokémon During the Event
- Participate Actively: Spend as much time as possible playing during the event to increase the number of encounters.
- Explore Thoroughly: Check all Poké Balls on the map, as any could potentially be a Shiny Pokémon.
- Use Incense or Lures: These may bring more Pokémon to your location, which might lead to higher encounter numbers.
- Join Community Events: Joining community events or group hunts helps players travel a greater distance and get more opportunities to find Shiny Pokémon.
Also Read: Top 5 Things to know About Pokémon GO Fest 2025
3. Event Duration
The length of the Pokémon GO April Fools’ Day event is an important detail that determines the way players will engage and celebrate in the events. For 2025, the event is planned to occur between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. local time on April 1.
Being aware that the event is available only for a short time encourages players to participate throughout the day. This pressure prompts players to log in regularly and check their vicinity to get the best opportunity to catch the special Pokémon.
Participants spend more time targeting the individual goals of the event, for instance, catching Shiny Pokémon or doing event-only tasks, as opposed to divvying their time between everything else in the game.
One-day events encourage more community involvement since participants visit public areas or online forums and share advice, plan group raids, and share celebrations over caught Pokémon.
Coaches may adjust their daily lifestyle so that they can have lots of time available for playing while in the event. This would include waking early, breaking between work, or committing their nighttime to playing.
Players would possibly play areas that have concentrated spawn rates or by landmarks, where many would converge, bringing other players more frequently.
Trainers must use their in-game resources, such as Poké Balls, Incense, and Lures, efficiently to get the most out of their encounters and catches.
Such events usually provide event-exclusive rewards that are only available while the event is ongoing. These might include unique items, special Pokémon, or event-specific cosmetics.
The event may incorporate time-sensitive challenges or research activities that need to be accomplished within the 24-hour period.
The uniqueness of the event contributes to the formation of lasting memories among the community. Players tend to look back on their experiences and recount stories of their encounters long after the event has ended.
4. Free Poké Balls and Pokédex Progress
During the Pokemon GO April Fools’ Day Event for Pokémon GO, trainers can earn free Poké Balls by taking action on the Pokémon that look like Poké Balls on the map.
Aside from replenishing the trainers’ Poké Ball supply, the feature also facilitates completing their Pokédex because it offers them a chance to catch these one-of-a-kind Pokémon.
Free Poké Balls:
- Poké Ball Rewards: If players tap on the “Poké Balls” that pop up on the map, they may be rewarded with a few free Poké Balls. This is aside from the encounter with the Pokémon itself.
- Inventory Management: Getting free Poké Balls makes it easier for players to manage their inventory. It minimizes the necessity of buying Poké Balls from the in-game store or using other means of acquiring them, like spinning at PokéStops.
- More Catching Chances: Since players have more Poké Balls, they can try more catches and have higher chances of catching rare or Shiny Pokémon.
Pokédex Progress:
- Special Encounters: The Pokémon that appear in Poké Ball disguise are species that may otherwise be less available or more difficult to encounter in regular circumstances. Finding these Pokémon through the event allows players to fill missing entries in their Pokédex.
- Shiny Pokémon: The chance to encounter Shiny forms of these Pokémon provides an added challenge for collectors seeking to fill out their Shiny Pokédex.
- Regional and Special Pokémon: There are events where Pokémon that are usually regional or difficult to encounter will be present.
5. Tradition of April Fools’ Events
Pokémon GO has a strong history of honoring April Fools’ Day with special events. These events are created to inject humor, thrill, and an element of surprise into the gameplay experience.
Niantic has year after year pushed the envelope with innovative April Fools’ Day events that have become a fan favorite for many players.
History of April Fools’ Events in Pokémon GO
2018: 8-Bit Graphics
One of the first April Fools’ events replaced the game’s graphics with an 8-bit look, similar to old Pokémon games. The nostalgic touch was a welcome favorite among players.
2022: Ditto Disguises
For this event, Ditto, a Pokémon with the ability to change into other Pokémon, took center stage. Ditto was able to transform into other Pokémon.
2024: Excellent Throws
It counted every Nice Throw as an Excellent Throw, making it easy to achieve Special Research tasks that needed accurate throws.
Events frequently have unique storylines or challenges that need to be completed by players. These storylines may include special Pokémon, special items, or limited-time game modes.
There are some events that add temporary modes or features which change the traditional gameplay experience.
Exclusive rewards are earned by the players, e.g., event-themed cosmetics, special items, unique Pokémon, etc., only during the event. Players pre-evently gossip about what mechanics or theme is going to take place, given leaks or rumors.
