Shiny Zacian distribution starts today, Shiny Zamazenta to follow
What you need to know
- Pokémon Sword and Shield are the first games in the eighth generation of mainline titles.
- The Pokémon Company is distributing shiny versions of the legendary dogs, Zacian and Zamazenta.
- Distribution for Zacian starts today, while Zamazenta gets distributed starting on November 12, 2021.
Some Pokémon fans really enjoy "shiny hunting", which is where they manipulate random number generators and play according to specific odds in order to obtain Pokémon with different color schemes. However, most legendaries in recent Pokémon games have been "shiny-locked" — this means that it is impossible to legitimately obtain a shiny version of them, as Game Freak specifically wrote the game's code to bring the shiny odds down to zero.
Fans of shiny Pokémon will be happy to hear that shiny versions of the legendary Pokémon duo that premiered in Pokémon Sword and Shield are being distributed in the United States via a serial code. To get your code, head to a participating GameStop near you, ask for a code, and later redeem it via the Mystery Gift menu in your copy of Pokémon Sword and Shield while connected to the internet. Shiny Zacian is being distributed starting today until November 11, while Shiny Zamazenta heads to GameStop starting on November 12 to November 26, 2021.
If you're unable to head to a GameStop before the distribution period ends, you can head to the GAME official website, owned by a chain of video game retail stores in the United Kingdom. Codes in the UK are distributed to your email address, with the caveat being that Zacian can only be redeemed in Pokémon Shield, and Zamazenta can only be redeemed in Pokémon Sword. Still, it grants players the opportunity to be involved in distributions without needing to head to a physical location. The GAME email codes head out on Mondays, and run until November 18, 2021.
Even more Pokémon fun
Do you crave even more Pokémon content but don't want to leave your trusty Pokémon team behind? Then the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass is for you! Embark on two new journeys and uncover more secrets hidden in the Galar region.
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Nadine is a freelance writer for iMore with a specialty in all things Nintendo, often working on news, guides, reviews, and editorials. She's been a huge Nintendo fan ever since she got to pet her very own Nintendog, and enjoys looking at Nintendo's place in the video game industry. Writing is her passion, but she mostly does it so that she can pay off her ever-growing debt to Tom Nook. Her favorite genres are simulation games, rhythm games, visual novels, and platformers. You can find her at @stopthenadness on Twitter, where she'll more than likely be reposting cute Animal Crossing content.