A new distribution event has been announced for Pokemon Legends: Z-A, allowing players the opportunity to obtain the Shiny versions of Xerneas and Yveltal. Pokemon Legends: Z-A was released in 2025 on Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Switch. The game takes players back to the Kalos region introduced in Pokemon X and Y, though all of the events are set in and around Lumiose City. The storyline basically acts as a sequel, picking up on several characters and plot threads from the 3DS games released in 2013.
Xerneas and Yveltal served as the cover mascots for Pokemon X and Y, respectively. The two Legendary Pokemon played a major role in the narrative, while also appearing in the associated manga and anime. Pokemon Legends: Z-A brought back Xerneas and Yveltal, allowing players to catch them once they completed the game’s main campaign.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Reveals How to Get Shiny Xerneas and Yveltal
As part of a promotion for Pokemon‘s 30th anniversary, Pokemon Legends: Z-A players can now claim Shiny Xerneas in the game. The Pokemon can be obtained through the game’s Mystery Gift feature by using the code CELEBRATE30TH. Players have a limited time to claim the Legendary Pokemon, as the code can only be redeemed through January 7, 2027. A follow-up event will begin on December 10, which will let players claim Shiny Yveltal. That event will also run for a limited time, ending on February 4.
The Shiny version of Xerneas offers a lighter color scheme than the standard one. The dark blue parts of the Pokemon are swapped for a much lighter shade, while its normally black legs and torso are a light silver instead of the standard black. Shiny Yveltal is also generally lighter, swapping the black highlights on its body and wings for a bright white. The red and gray parts are both swapped for darker colors, though. While some Shiny Pokemon don’t vary much from their standard colorations, the two Legendary Pokemon stand out quite a bit.
In addition to Shiny Xerneas and Yveltal, Pokemon Legends: Z-A currently has a distribution for Poke Ball pattern Vivillon. Like Xerneas and Yveltal, this Vivillon can be obtained through the game’s Mystery Gift feature for a limited time. The distribution will end on February 25, and Pokemon fans will want to take advantage. This distribution marks the first time that Poke Ball pattern Vivillon has been offered in about a decade, and it could be a while before The Pokemon Company and Game Freak make it available again.
Pokemon Legends: Z-A is one of the best-selling Switch 2 games, with 4.04 million copies sold. The game has performed even better on the original Switch, with the total number of copies sold being 13.31 million worldwide. With that many copies in circulation, it makes sense that The Pokemon Company continues to support the game with events and distributions like Shiny Xerneas and Yveltal. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet also continue to receive some small events, but that will likely come to an end at some point in 2027. Pokemon Winds and Waves are set to be released next year, but an actual release date has not been announced just yet.
- Released
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October 16, 2025
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
