Pokémon Sword and Shield adds Mewtwo and Kanto starters for Pokémon Day

• Mewtwo, Squirtle, Bulbasaur and more are now available in Max Raid Battles
• The additions are to celebrate Pokémon Red and Green's release way back in 1996
• You can't however catch Mewtwo, who simply offers rewards instead

Pokémon Day celebrates the anniversary of Pokémon Red and Green’s release in Japan in 1996, so unsurprisingly Pokémon Sword and Shield is getting involved with the celebrations.  

From now until 1st March 2020, seven new Pokémon from generation one have been added to the title – with Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Mewtwo all appearing in Max Raid Battles.  

With the inclusion of Bulbasaur and Squirtle, this means their evolutions up to Venosaur and Blastoise have also been added, which is seven new Pokémon in total with Mewtwo. Charmander, the other original Kanto starter, was already available in Pokémon Sword and Shield.  

Mewtwo is now in Max Raid Battles (Picture: Nintendo) 

According to Serebii.net however, you won’t be able to catch Mewtwo because he’s too strong – although he will drop rewards like Ability Capsules and PP Max if taken down. The Kanto starters will drop EV reducing berries, Toxic Orb, Flame Orb, and Life Orbs.  

These new additions join the number of other Gigantamax Pokémon you can discover in Sword and Shield’s Wild Area, including Grimmsnarl, Kingler, Hatterene, Orbeetlem, and Toxtricity.  

This isn’t the only celebration for Pokémon Day either, with Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution, a CGI remake of the first Pokémon movie, also hitting Netflix.  

If you want competitive Pokémon action, the Pokémon Collinsville Regional Championships will be streamed this weekend from 28th  February to 1st March.