Unlike previous generations - Gen 1, Gen 2, Gen 3, Gen 4, Gen 5 and Gen 6 - Pokémon from Gen 8, such as Perrserker and Sirfetch’d, were released into Pokémon Go before the official release of the generation. Gen 8 made its arrival into the Pokémon universe with the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield for the Nintendo Switch, with new Pokémon for this generation being introduced through the DLC - The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra - for these games. Similar to Gen 7, this generation is a mixture of original creatures and Galarian variants, which are new forms of Pokémon from past generations. On this page: These Pokémon are obtained by evolving the Galarian forms of Pokémon from past generations - Galarian Meowth, for example, evolves into Perrserker - so, if you wish to add them to your Pokédex, you must obtain that specific Galarian form first. Below you can find the Gen 8 Pokémon which are currently available in Pokémon Go: October 2021 (1 released): Below you can find the Gen 8 Pokémon released in Pokémon Go during October 2021: August 2021 (7 released): Here are the Gen 8 Pokémon released into Pokémon Go during August 2021: December 2020 (1 released): Below you can find the Gen 8 Pokémon released during December 2020: October 2020 (2 released): Here are the Gen 8 Pokémon released into Pokémon Go during October 2020: June 2020 (2 released): Below you can find the Gen 8 Pokémon released during June 2020: Below you can find some interesting facts which help make Gen 8 unique amongst the other Pokémon generations:
Gen 8 introduces a number of unique evolution methods - from spinning your avatar to evolve a Milcery into Alcremie to activating Sinistea’s evolution by giving it a special pot. With 70 different options, Alcremie currently has the most forms out of any Pokémon in the National Pokédex. Gen 8 is the first appearance of the Dynamax ability and Gigantamax Pokémon, which change their appearance upon Dynamaxing. Like Gen 7’s Alolan Pokémon, Gen 8 introduces the Galar variants for a number of Pokémon from past generations. Some of these Galarian Pokémon take inspiration from the British Isle, such as Galarian Weezing referencing the Industrial Revolution to Galarian Rapidash resembling a unicorn, which is Scotland’s national animal. Unlike the Alolan variants, a number of the Galarian variants evolve exclusively into new Gen 8 Pokémon. You can only obtain an Obstagoon, for example, by evolving a Galarian Linoone.
Aside from the Galar variants, a number of Gen 8 Pokémon also take inspiration from the British Isle. This includes Duraludon, which resembles The Shard in London, and Appletun, which was clearly inspired by the apple pies sold in Greggs. Gen 8 is the first generation to not introduce a new Pokémon whose typing is normal and flying-type. Unlike past generations, Gen 8’s fossil Pokémon are revived by combining two different fossils. Unlike past generations, none of these new fossil Pokémon have rock included in their typing. For some reason I find Greedent unsettling.
The Season of Mythical Wishes continues with the Winter Holiday event, which has brought Mega Glalie to Pokémon Go. Don’t forget to partake in the new Go Battle League season.
Elsewhere, be sure to use Daily Adventure Incense for the chance of encountering Galarian Articuno, Galarian Zapdos and Galarian Moltres.
We’ve already seen some of these methods with the exclusive Galarian form evolutions; while some, such as Galarian Slowpoke, simply require candy, others involve fulfilling a specific requirement, such as winning 10 raids with Galarian Yamask as your buddy to evolve it into Runerigus.
It’s also important to note that a non-Galarian version of a Pokémon will not have the option to evolve into the specific Galarian evolution. This means, for example, you can’t evolve a Kanto Meowth into a Perrserker.
Aside from the Galarian forms, Pokémon like Applin or Sinistea require you to use specific items in Pokémon Sword and Shield to trigger their evolution. In Pokémon Go, this could be translated into the use of a stone, similar to the Sinnoh or Unova Stones, the trading mechanic or, possibly, a brand new mechanic. We’ll have to wait and see!
Below you can find the complete list of Gen 8 Pokémon:
Good luck completing the Galar Pokédex!
