Pokémon GO has been around for over 4 years and the game has continuously evolved and introduced new features. Here we show you the 10 most important features that Pokémon GO has received since the release on MeinMMO.
In summer 2016, almost every gamer had Pokémon GO on their phone, even if only for a short time. It was a new gaming experience to discover Pokémon in the real world and catch them all. However, a lot has changed since then. When comparing the version of Pokémon GO from 2016 with the current version, one can speak of a new gaming experience.
Here we show you 10 features that Pokémon GO has received over the past 4 years, which have probably changed the gaming experience the most and are now essential.
This is a personal list of the author, which may look a bit different depending on each trainer’s perspective.
The order in which we have listed the features does not represent a ranking.
1. First Raids and Legendary Pokémon
What is this feature? Since summer 2017, players can participate in Raids in Pokémon GO. Trainers challenge a boss alone or in groups at gyms, which they must defeat. If they succeed, they can then catch it.
Shortly after the introduction of Raids, Legendary Pokémon were included. You could find Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres in level 5 Raids. If you defeated them, they were catchable.
Why is this feature so important? Nowadays, it would be unthinkable for Pokémon GO without Raids. This feature revitalized the community after it had somewhat slowed down over the winter after the hype in summer 2016.
This transformed the AR game, which could be played alone, into a game that required multiple players. Many Raids can only be completed with several trainers.
It is hard to imagine that there would be such large communities in regions and cities today if trainers had not been brought together through Raids back then.
Especially the legendary Raids led to the formation of groups. The Pokémon are very strong and when you look at the best attackers of each type , you will find almost always Legendary Pokémon there. Without this introduction, players would certainly have a significantly weaker team.
2. Remote Raids and Playing from Home
What is this feature? Remote Raids were introduced in summer 2020. With this feature, you can casually participate in Raids from your sofa. A player merely needs to see the gym in their vicinity. They can then click on it and invite up to 5 friends. However, these can participate from anywhere in the world.
Why is this feature so important? The Remote Raids came at the right time. In the midst of the Corona crisis, trainers could stay relaxed at home and still complete Raids.
Especially for players from villages, Remote Raids are a true blessing. They no longer need to see a gym and can still actively participate in Raids. This has lifted Raids to a new level because trainers can now technically complete an infinite number of Raids – provided they have enough friends to invite.
The Raid passes for Remote Raids are sometimes given as gifts from Niantic. Those who want to do many of them must purchase them in the shop for PokéCoins.
3. Friends and the Gifts Feature
What is this feature? Since summer 2017 there have been friends and gifts in Pokémon GO. Players can add other trainers as friends and send them gifts.
The gifts contain various items and there are heaps of XP waiting for players who level up their friendship level.
Why is this feature so important? This feature has further strengthened the community aspect of Pokémon GO. You can see the progress your friends make in the game and reward them with gifts.
Gifts also bring a lot of items. Especially players who live in places with few PokéStops can get useful things like balls or potions through gifts.
Additionally, trainers can now level up much faster thanks to the friends feature. Through the friendship level, they receive as much XP as they do nowhere else. The path to level 40 has become easier.
4. Trading Pokémon
What is this feature? Together with the friends feature, the trading function came to Pokémon GO in summer 2018. Since then, you can trade Pokémon with each other. Both trainers need to pay Stardust and receive each other’s Pokémon.
Why is this feature so important? Through trading, trainers were able to complete their Pokédex more easily. Regional Pokémon that friends brought back from vacations could be secured without leaving the country or traveling.
Shinies also became a popular trading object. If you can’t get a shiny despite all efforts, friends can now help out. As a result, some trainers have obtained all shinies in the game.