It’s a big year for Pokémon. The franchise is turning 30, and while the next mainline game, Pokémon Winds and Waves, won’t arrive until 2027, the celebration is already in full swing. For the millions who’ve spent the last decade exploring their neighborhoods with a phone in hand, the real party is happening in Pokémon GO. This weekend, Niantic is launching its most ambitious event to date: ‘All Out.’ It’s not just another weekend bonus; it feels like a heartfelt, sprawling tribute to every trainer who’s ever chased a shadow on their map.
What Makes 'All Out' the Biggest Event Ever?
The core promise is staggering in its simplicity and scale: for the duration of the event, the wild will be populated with almost every single Pokémon that has ever appeared in Pokémon GO. That’s a decade’s worth of creatures, from the original Kanto starters to the latest arrivals. To make this monumental task slightly more manageable (and more engaging), spawns will be organized into specific biomes that match a Pokémon’s natural habitat. It’s a clever nod to the game’s original spirit of exploration and discovery—you might find Water-types congregating near lakes or parks, while Grass-types flourish in green spaces.
The event runs from Saturday, March 7 at 10:00 AM local time through Monday, March 9 at 8:00 PM local time. Alongside the historic spawn pool, players can expect event-wide bonuses like more frequent wild encounters and a chance to find a Legendary Pokémon when using Incense. The 2KM egg pool is also getting a massive refresh, featuring a who’s who of beloved baby Pokémon and rare hatches like Riolu and Munchlax.
Raids, Regionals, and the Hunt for Mewtwo
The raid scene will be just as lively. One-star raids will feature a parade of costumed Pikachu from over the years—a fun, nostalgic touch. Five-star raids, however, are where the serious challenges lie, offering a rotating cast of Legendary Pokémon. A note for completionists: some encounters remain region-locked. For example, Stakataka will only appear for players in the Eastern Hemisphere, while those in the West will face Blacephalon.
‘All Out’ isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s the crescendo of the ongoing 30th Anniversary event, which started on March 3. That event has already brought back a major fan favorite: Mewtwo. For a limited time, the iconic Psychic-type is appearing in encounters, much to the delight of players who missed it the first time around. Owners of the GO Pass Deluxe get an extra treat, with chances for Mewtwo XL Candy and encounters with the legendary Kanto birds—Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. And yes, shiny hunters, all of these have a chance to appear in their rare, alternate colors.
The Emotional Pull of a Shared Milestone
What makes an event like this resonate isn’t just the checklist of bonuses or the sheer number of Pokémon. It’s the shared memory it taps into. Think about the summer of 2016, when parks were suddenly full of strangers pointing their phones at the same patch of grass, united by the hunt for a Vaporeon. ‘All Out’ feels like a reward for that persistence. It’s a chance to finally catch that one Pokémon that always eluded you, or to share the excitement of a rare hatch with friends who’ve been on the same journey.
For a game that fundamentally changed how we interact with our physical world through play, this event is a powerful reminder of its community. It’s a celebration that acknowledges both the franchise’s legacy and the unique, decade-long adventure Pokémon GO has created for its players. Whether you’re a day-one trainer or someone who just recently downloaded the app, this weekend offers a rare opportunity to be part of gaming history in the making. Just remember to charge your battery—you’re going to need it.
