The Gigantamax mechanic introduced inPokemon SwordandShieldon the Nintendo Switch was one of its biggest selling points as a unique addition to battle akin to Generation 6’s Mega Evolutions and Generation 7’s Z-Moves. Some of the Gigantamax-capable Pokemon like Pikachu, Eevee, and Meowth have only been available under certain conditions until now, but that’s going to change starting withGigantamax PikachuMax Raid Battles available now.
Pokemonfans were originally only able to get their hands on a Pikachu or Eevee capable of using a Gigantamax transformation if they had data on their Switch consoles forPokemon Let’s Go, PikachuandLet’s Go, Eevee. MeanwhileGigantamax Meowthwas only available as a Mystery Gift players could download before July 11, 2025.
RELATED:Pokemon Sword and Shield Bans More Cheaters
The Gigantamax Pikachu Wild Area Event which began today will last until May 18, after which the next two weeks will feature raids for Gigantamax Eevee and Gigantamax Meowth according to sites like Serebii. Releasing these special monsters more widely and with the ability to grind encounters for shiny and hidden ability variants also coincides with the recent announcement ofGigantamax Pikachu and Meowth plushiesin Japan.
Though the post-launch excitement about the latest mainlinePokemongames has somewhat died down thanks to more recent titles likeAnimal Crossing: New Horizons,Pokemon SwordandShieldhave continued to see rather frequent updates cycling what monsters can be found taking precedence in the open-air Wild Area. Developers are also working on major additional content releases in the form of The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra Expansion Pass.
As part of that DLC Expansion, there will be new Gigantamax Pokemon available for trainers to try out on top of additional returning Pokemon in a pair of Wild Area-esque locales. TheGalar Starter Pokemon will get Gigantamax forms, as will Kanto’s Blastoise and Venusaur to join the Gigantamax form of Charizard which has been available since the beginning.
The frequent content updates have likely been much appreciated forPokemonfans as much of the world remains shut down due to ongoing social distancing measures to counter the coronavirus pandemic. That pandemic has had other effects on the multimediaPokemonfranchise at-large, including thedelay of new episodes of thePokemonanimeon account of Japan’s state of emergency.
Pokemon SwordandShieldare available now on the Nintendo Switch
MORE:Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Galarian Legendary Pokemon Should Become a Trend
