New Free Shiny Pokémon in Pokémon HOME Share a Common Issue

Pokémon HOME is currently enticing players with the opportunity to acquire two shiny Pokémon at no cost. Initially designed for the storage and trading of Pokémon across various games, Pokémon HOME has introduced a new feature in its October 2024 version 3.2.2: the Mystery Gift system, which allows players to earn exclusive Pokémon. While this initiative adds value for subscribers, the process of obtaining these shiny Pokémon is not as straightforward as one might hope.

The challenges associated with collecting these shiny Pokémon are reflective of broader criticisms aimed at Pokémon HOME. Though the platform provides certain conveniences, its overall user experience lacks efficiency. Combined with some of the more laborious aspects of compatible Pokémon games, it soon becomes evident that the effort required to obtain these rewards may outweigh their appeal.

Get Two Shiny Pokémon for Free

Claim Your Shiny Enamorus & Manaphy

From January 28, 2025, players have access to two shiny Pokémon through Pokémon HOME: the Fairy-Flying-type Enamorus and the Water-type Manaphy, which originally debuted in the fourth generation titles, Diamond and Pearl. Earning a shiny Manaphy was historically a challenging endeavor, and fans will also appreciate that this marks the debut of an official shiny form for Enamorus. These rewards offer an exciting incentive for Pokémon HOME users.

Previously, players could obtain a shiny Meloetta, marking the first shiny iteration of that Pokémon as well. While shiny hunters are keen to add these exclusive Pokémon to their collections, the process of claiming these Mystery Gifts, although avoiding the frustration of repetitive game resets, poses its own set of challenges.

How to Obtain Shiny Enamorus & Shiny Manaphy

Requirements: Completing the Hisui and Sinnoh Pokédexes

To unlock the shiny Mystery Gifts, players must complete two regional Pokédexes. Specifically, shiny Enamorus is awarded for finishing the Hisui Pokédex from Pokémon Legends: Arceus, while shiny Manaphy is accessible through completion of the Sinnoh Pokédex from Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. It’s important to note that Pokédex completions must occur within Pokémon HOME itself, necessitating additional effort even if players have already filled these in the respective games.

Furthermore, players should download the mobile version of Pokémon HOME, available on iOS and Android, since Mystery Gifts can only be acquired through this platform. Ensuring that the same Nintendo account is used across both the Switch and mobile versions is crucial for data synchronization. The requirement of using separate versions of Pokémon HOME to collect Mystery Gifts may seem tedious, and it becomes evident that the path to acquiring these rewards is fraught with obstacles.

Tedious Requirements for Both Shiny Pokémon

Pokédex Completion and Management Hurdles

Encounter with Spiritomb in Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Obtaining shiny Manaphy and Enamorus necessitates considerable effort, particularly because Pokémon HOME only accounts for Pokémon caught in the respective game toward its regional Pokédex. Even if a Pokémon appears in both Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl as well as in Legends: Arceus, players must catch each version to qualify for the shiny rewards, adding layers of complexity to Pokédex filling.

The classic challenges of filling out the Sinnoh Pokédex include encountering version-exclusive Pokémon. Completing the Pokédex means trading with someone who has the opposite version or owning both games. While seasoned players might be accustomed to these inconveniences, they become more pronounced in light of the additional demands needed to secure Pokémon HOME’s shiny Mystery Gifts.

Even though Pokémon Legends: Arceus does not have version exclusivity, certain Pokémon impose barriers before players can confront them. For example, capturing Spiritomb requires locating 107 Wisps scattered across the game’s environments. Additionally, hidden prerequisites exist for some Pokémon; Manaphy, for instance, only shows up at Seaside Hollow if players swim through a specific route with a precise combination of Pokémon in their party.

While trading could streamline collecting these Pokémon, finding the right partners has become increasingly difficult, given that all three titles are now over three years old. Although active player bases still engage with these games, the reduced number of players makes it challenging to find exact Pokémon needed for trades.

Pokémon HOME’s Sync Problems: A Final Challenge

Final Steps in the Collection Process

Once players have completed their Pokédexes in the designated games, they face the final and most cumbersome hurdle: updating their Pokémon HOME Pokédexes. Unfortunately, Pokémon HOME does not automatically synchronize with other Pokémon games on the same Switch. Players must manually import Pokémon from each title into Pokémon HOME to achieve a complete Pokédex. While achieving Pokédex completions in the actual games presents its frustrations, doing so in Pokémon HOME can feel more like a tedious chore.

Although dedicated Pokémon enthusiasts may still be eager to collect shiny Manaphy and Enamorus, many may reluctantly conclude that the effort required is disproportionate to the rewards. While one could contend that the effort adds to the uniqueness of these Pokémon, the inherent tedium of the process cannot be overlooked. Greater fluidity, such as automatic syncing of game data or eschewing the need for both mobile and Switch versions, would significantly alleviate many of the frustrations players currently encounter.

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