Log into Pokémon Go right now and you can claim an absurdly generous one-off prize: a Mewtwo with a unique background and 100% stats, as well as an incredibly rare Master Ball.
The rewards were added to Pokémon Go in a surprise move just hours ago, and can be claimed by all players with ease. Well, almost all players.
Fans and influencers who attended last month’s controversial in-person New York event can claim these rewards but are not guaranteed a Mewtwo with 100% stats — since that event gifted them one already, in a move that enraged many players. Backlash to the invite-only Times Square shindig was vociferous, with the never-before-seen guaranteeing of a perfect stat creature particularly criticized.
On the one hand, you could see the intent behind the event: a successful recreation of Pokémon Go’s original vision to stage a big meetup in Times Square featuring an exhilarating battle for thousands of players.
On the other, you can see how practical sensibilities like having to limit attendee numbers led to the whole thing being seen by players worldwide as something that was simply not for them, with the guarantee of a forced-perfect stat Mewtwo the icing on the cake. The timing was rough, too, just days ahead of the game’s big Go Fest 2026 event, where players were encouraged to play all weekend for the chance at a similarly 100% stat creature.
Officially, developer Scopely Explore has described today’s surprise freebies as a belated addition to the game’s 10th anniversary celebration, but the move is being widely interpreted by players as an apology for all of the above, especially as New York attendees don’t get a second 100% stat Mewtwo guaranteed. Even the exclusive Times Square background offered at that event will be repeated at some time in the future, it’s now been confirmed. (Maybe for the game’s 20th anniversary?)
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“We’re excited to mark this milestone by sharing this special reward with Trainers everywhere,” the game’s developer wrote, in wording that notably highlights the game’s global community — not just those in New York. “Let’s celebrate the journey we’ve taken together over the past 10 years!”
A free Master Ball is nothing to be sniffed at either, too. Only made available every year or so in-game, the Pokémon franchise’s ultimate creature catcher was last available to players via a premium purchase priced at $7.99.
So, has this made everyone happy? Of course not. While there are countless messages on social media this morning from fans delighted at their new 100% Mewtwo (some of which turned out Shiny), others have pointed out that the move only comes after they spent dozens of hours (and huge amounts of money) grinding for one through normal gameplay.
After all of that, it seems likely the giveaway of another 100% stat Pokémon won’t happen again anytime soon. So, if you haven’t already, log in now to claim yours — the offer lasts until September 6.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social