How to get a shiny Eevee or Pikachu in Pokémon Let's Go

Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee shiny event
Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee shiny event (Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

Last year, an event took place that made getting a shiny Eevee or Pikachu in Pokémon Let's Go! Pikachu or Eevee for Nintendo Switch easy as pie. By downloading a single app and then visiting a local Target store, players could claim whichever of the two shiny Pokémon was not their partner Pokémon in either game (Let's Go! Pikachu gets a shiny Eevee, Let's Go! Eevee gets a shiny Pikachu). While that event is now over, there are now quite a few more shiny Pikachus and Eevees running around out there than usual for trade than there would usually be.

Products used in this guide

How the event worked

Pokemon Pass Logo

Pokemon Pass Logo (Image credit: The Pokemon Company)
  1. Download the Pokémon Pass app for iOS or Android
  2. If you don't already have one, you'll need to make a Pokémon Trainer Club account

Pokemon Let's Go, Eevee screenshot

Pokemon Let's Go, Eevee screenshot (Image credit: Game Freak Inc.)
  1. Visit a participating Target retail store between May 11, 2019 and June 23, 2019.
  2. Open the app.
  3. You'll need to locate a special QR code in-store that the app will scan - ask an associate if you cannot locate the QR code in-store.

Pokemon Let's Go, Pikachu screenshot

Pokemon Let's Go, Pikachu screenshot (Image credit: Game Freak Inc.)
  1. After scanning the code, launch Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu or Eevee on your Nintendo Switch
  2. On the Main Menu, select Communicate
  3. Choose Get with code/password
  4. Say Yes to save the game and connect to the internet
  5. Enter the code that appeared in your Pokémon Pass app after scanning the QR code at Target.
  6. Confirm that you want to receive the gift.
  7. You will receive your Pokémon partner in your party in-game if you have a spot open, or in your Pokemon box if not.

That's it! You'll easily have a shiny Pikachu or Eevee in your Pokémon Let's Go! game. If you want to obtain a shiny version of the other Pokémon, you can always trade with a friend, transfer a shiny you've obtained in Pokémon Go, or wander through the long grass in your game and use our tips and tricks to hunt the shiny of your choice.

Help! I missed the event!

Unfortunately, the event has now concluded, and shiny Pikachus and Eevees are back to being very rare. You can only get one by getting extremely lucky and finding and catching one in the wild, trading with a generous friend, or by transferring from Pokémon Go or another game.

That said, it's worth hanging onto that Pokémon Pass app. Future events will likely make use of it, so keep an eye on iMore and The Pokemon Company social media accounts for announcements!

Our top equipment picks

You'll need this to get your shiny Pikachu and Eevee:

Additional Equipment

Whether you're headed out with Pokémon Go for a rare Pokémon catching excursion, or staying home with Pikachu and Eevee, several other accessories can help make your Pokémon adventure easier and more fun.

Nintendo Poké Ball Plus

Nintendo Poké Ball Plus (Image credit: Nintendo)

Poké Ball Plus ($50 at Amazon)

Though you can play Pokémon Let's Go! Pikachu and Eevee without it, the Poké Ball Plus controller is a natural accessory to go alongside your adventures in Kanto. It's simple to use and makes capturing Pokémon feel more natural than with the Joy-Cons by using motion controls to simulate the feeling of throwing a Poké Ball. Plus, you can store Pokémon in it and take them on adventures with you, shaking the ball to check in on them as you go.

Rose gold iPhone and battery pack

Rose gold iPhone and battery pack (Image credit: iMore)

Battery pack ($32 at Amazon)

If you're playing Pokémon Go, you'll likely end up on long, long jaunts for PokeStops, Gyms, and rare monsters. If you want to avoid running out of battery playing the game non-stop, it's best to bring along a battery pack.

Poke Ball Plus charger

Poke Ball Plus charger (Image credit: Amazon)

Poké Ball Plus Charge Stand ($20 at Amazon)

The Poké Ball Plus accessory comes with its own charger cable, but it's short and difficult to use and not very aesthetically pleasing. Instead, it's worth grabbing this much nicer and better-looking charge stand Nintendo officially licenses.

Reb Valentine