Pokémon UNITE’s third-anniversary celebration began on July 19, 2024—two days before the game’s July 21 anniversary. The event dates have passed, but the activities included Ho-Oh’s debut, returning Panic Parade, and several limited-time rewards.
Why the celebration began early
The anniversary itself fell on July 21, 2024, but the celebration started July 19. The official English event announcement and Nintendo’s anniversary post both gave July 19 as the start; Pokémon UNITE’s July 16 Japanese update notice also announced that date and identified the update as version 1.15.1.2. Pokémon UNITE’s event announcement, Nintendo’s anniversary post, and the Japanese update notice document the schedule. The update notice advised players to restart the app if the update did not apply.
What the anniversary activities included
The activities did not all share one schedule or reward type. These were the announced windows, in Pacific Daylight Time where times were specified:
| Activity | What players could do or receive | Announced window |
|---|---|---|
| Ho-Oh license board event | Earn Ho-Oh’s license through a daily-die board event. | July 18, 2024, at 5 p.m. PDT to August 11, 2024, at 4:59 p.m. PDT. |
| Charizard Dark Lord Style Holowear | Available through the premium battle pass. | July 20, 2024, at 5 p.m. PDT to September 4, 2024, at 4:59 p.m. PDT. |
| Login reward choice | Choose one per account: Charizard’s Unite license, a Charizard-themed Trainer hat, or 100 Aeos coins. | July 18 to September 2, 2024. |
| Panic Parade | Play the returning cooperative tower-defense mode, protecting Tinkaton from advancing wild Pokémon. | July 18 to September 4, 2024. |
| Other activities | Prize Machine spins, challenges, coupon distributions, a special discount shop, and a daily Aeos gem offer were also announced. | Dates varied; the Japanese notice described the shop and gem offer as event promotions. |
These dates and reward details come from the official English event announcement and, for the shop and gem offer, the Japanese update notice. They describe historical offers, not promotions that remain active.
#1 Best Overall
- Revisit the Sinnoh region from the original Pokémon Diamond Version game and set off to try and become the Champion of the Pokémon League
- The Pokémon Brilliant Diamond game brings new life to this remade classic with added features
- Explore the Grand Underground to dig up items and Pokémon Fossils, build a Secret Base, and more.
- Test your style and rhythm in a Super Contest Show
- A reimagined adventure, now for the Nintendo Switch system
Ho-Oh was the anniversary’s featured Pokémon
Ho-Oh joined as a playable Ranged Defender. Its Regenerator Ability gradually restores HP after it has avoided damage from opposing Pokémon for a set period. Its Unite Move, Rekindling Flame, can revive knocked-out allies by consuming Ho-Oh’s Aeos energy; spending more energy revives more allies. The license was earnable through the board event rather than being the same reward as the separate Charizard login choice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How the anniversary was framed
Nintendo described Pokémon UNITE as a free-to-start 5-on-5 team battle game for Nintendo Switch and mobile. In a July 19, 2024 producer letter, the game’s producer reported more than 150 million downloads worldwide in the context of the third anniversary. That is the milestone stated in that 2024 letter, not a current download count. Read the July 19, 2024 producer letter.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Play as a Pokémon as you talk to, befriend and fight alongside your favourite characters
- Revisit the classic in this beautiful watercolour remake of the first Mystery Dungeon - on Nintendo Switch for the very first time
- Your personality decides who you are. Answer questions about yourself to see which of the 16 Pokémon starters you will become
- Meet over 386 Pokémon and go on adventures with your handpicked rescue team to save the world from natural disasters
- Explore Mystery dungeons that change terrain, enemies and rewards every time you enter?
Rank #3
- Don the role of a Pokémon Trainer as you travel through Kanto
- Discover a new species of Pokémon with the Pokémon Lets Go series
- Catch Pokémon in the wild using a gentle throwing motion with either a Joy-Con controller or a Poké Ball Plus accessory, which will light up, vibrate, and make sounds to bring your adventure to life
- See the world in style by customizing Pikachu and your Trainer with a selection of outfits
- Connect to Pokémon GO* to transfer caught Kanto-region Pokémon, including Alolan and Shiny forms, as well as the newly discovered Pokémon, Meltan, from that game to this one
Rank #2
- Meet countless characters from the beloved series
- High-end visuals, modern resolutions and carefully polished gameplay
- Brand new horde mode multiplayer for up to two players, online and splitscreen
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