Pokémon Go revives Research Days to release new creature

Last year, Pokémon Go introduced Research Days: limited-time in-game events similar to Community Days which rewarded you with Pokémon for completing tasks.

There was an underwhelming Feebas day which served as a proof of concept, then a much-improved Clamperl day which everyone seemed to enjoy. But then developer Niantic tinkered with the format again for a Lotad/Castform day which stretched the whole thing on too long. After that, as the summer months rolled around, the concept disappeared.

Now, for Lunar New Year, a new Research Day has been announced. This time around it'll spotlight the previously-unavailable Minccino, the chinchilla Pokémon, because we're about to enter the Year of the Rat.

Complete research tasks from PokéStops between 2pm and 5pm local time on Sunday, 2nd February and you'll get Minccino as a reward. It'll evolve into Cinccino using an Unova Stone and can also be Shiny. And it'll also join 5km eggs.

At the same time, a bunch of ratty Pokémon will also be spawning more frequently, including Shiny things like Rattata, Pikachu, Sandshrew, Boy/Girl Nidoran, Sentret, Zigzagoon, Plusle/Minun and Patrat. Also Bidoof. Always, Bidoof.

All of that is wrapped up in a wider event to mark Lunar New Year, which runs from 9pm UK time Friday, 24th January until 9pm Monday, 3rd February.

This will see the release of Darumaka via 7km eggs, wild spawns focusing on red-coloured Pokémon and the limited-time release of wild Shiny Gyarados.

Finally, friend gifts will have a chance of containing Rare Candy, and the likelihood friendship interactions and traded Pokémon will turn lucky will boosted.