Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Adds a Feature That Was Absent from the Originals

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Teams DX is the latest release in the Pokémon franchise. A remake of the original Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team, the new game comes with several new additions, including auto-save, auto-mode and Mega Evolution. But one exciting addition in Rescue Team DX is the inclusion of Shiny variations of certain Pokémon.

Though Shiny Pokémon existed in the franchise back when the original Rescue Team games released, they couldn't be found in the game. In Rescue Team DX, There are 27 Pokémon capable of spawning as a Shiny, and each can be found and potentially recruited in the various dungeons of the game.

Continue scrolling to keep reading Click the button below to start this article in quick view.

Related: Every Pokemon You Can Play As in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX

Recruiting a Shiny Pokémon is not as easy as recruiting a regular Pokémon. First, like in the main series games, a Shiny Pokémon is a rare spawn in a dungeon, so it is all up to luck if one shows up at all. On the rare chance one spawns, it is going to be a lot tougher battle than normal because Shiny Pokémon in Mystery Dungeon have higher stats than regular Pokémon.

Even if the Shiny Pokémon is defeated, there is a chance that it will choose not to join the team. Plus, if the Shiny does join the team, it must be kept alive while completing the dungeon, and the player must have the correct camp type when the dungeon ends. Equipping the Friend Bow will increase the chance that a defeated Pokémon will ask to join the team, but the chances of encountering and recruiting a Shiny Pokémon are still low.

Related: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon DX: Every Single Wonder Mail Code

Despite what Rescue Team DX may suggest, Shiny Pokémon in the main series do not have inflated stats. They are simply Pokémon with a different color palette. They are referred to as "Shinies" because of the sound effect and animation that occurs when one is encountered in battle.

Shiny Pokémon were first introduced in the Generation II titles, Pokémon Gold and Silver. As Shinies are incredibly rare and there was no way to influence the appearance of one, the only Shiny most players ever saw in those games was the Red Gyarados found at the Lake of Rage. The Odd Egg item unique to Pokémon Crystal also had a higher-than-usual chance to hatch into a Shiny, but the chance was still relatively small.

In the Generation III titles Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, players can encounter three different trainers that have Shiny Pokémon on their teams; one has a Meowth, another has an Espeon, and the last has a Seaking. As the games broadened the presence of Shiny Pokémon, players became more aware that there was a chance they could add a Shiny to their teams.

Related: Why Greninja Won Pokémon of the Year

Shiny Pokémon became an even bigger deal in the Generation IV games Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl with the addition of the Poké Radar key item and the introduction of the "Masuda Method" of breeding. These were the first ways to increase the odds of encountering a Shiny, and encouraged players to start what is now known as "Shiny hunting."

The increase in Shinies, plus the fact that Diamond and Pearl allowed players to connect using Wi-Fi, meant that players could easily show off their favorite Shiny Pokémon to their friends. Later games added their own methods to increase the odds of finding Shinies, and the rise of livestreaming has made Shiny hunting even more popular with fans.

As more Pokémon games are released, players who have caught Shinies can continue to transfer them forward, increasing the sentimental value and bond with these special Pokémon. Just like Ash and his Pikachu, many fans have their own special partner that they can bring with them on every journey towards becoming a Pokémon Master.

Keep Reading: Pokemon Spinoff Games That Deserve Remakes

Iron Man 2020 Revealed What His Shoulder Gears Do - and It's Oddly Intimate

About The Author

Luc Tran is a freelance writer for CBR focusing on video games, located just outside Dallas, Texas. When he's not studying completely random subjects for fun, he's spending way too much time playing video games or reading. Whatever free time he has left is spent day-dreaming about tabletop RPGs, working out, or yelling at his cat to stop eating plastic.

More About Luc Tran