Summary
- Pokemon Sword and Shield introduced a variety of new Pokemon for Gen 8, but there are currently very few Galarian Pokemon in Pokemon GO.
- While some Gen 8 Pokemon have been added recently, fan favorites like Snom and Hatterene are still missing from Pokemon GO.
- It is likely that more Gen 8 Pokemon, including the Galar Starters, will be added to Pokemon GO in the future, potentially through hatching eggs or as Raid Bosses.
Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield brought a whole new cast of creative Pokemon for Gen 8. Although both games came out in 2019, there's surprisingly very few Galarian Pokemon in Pokemon GO. While this will no doubt change over time, the Galar Pokedex is lacking compared to previous generations. In fact, Pokemon Presents revealed that Gen 9 Pokemon would be making their debut in September 2023.
With over 80 new Pokemon in Sword & Shield, it might take a while before every Gen 8 Pokemon make their way into Pokemon GO. Some Gen 8 and Galarian Form Pokemon have been added recently, but a few of the fan favorites seem to be missing.
10 Yamber & Boltund
In Scarlet/Violet, Boltund serves as the mascot for Capbourg, a clothing store. Oddly enough, the thunder puppy didn't make an appearance in SV, and it still hasn't shown up in Pokemon GO. What makes this strange is how hyped up they made Yamper, Boltund's pre-evolved form, pre-Sword/Shield release. Yamper was even Professor Cerise's Pokemon in Pokemon Journeys.
Yamber and Boltund are Electric-type Pokemon, if their electric-themed tails and coloring weren't enough of an indicator. However, with Wooloo recently being added to Pokemon GO back in July 2023, it's possible that Yamper and its evolution aren't far behind.
9 Toxel & Toxtricity
Toxel is an Electric/Poison-type Pokemon that evolved into Toxtricity at level 30. Toxtricity have two forms: Amped Form and Low Key Form. The type of Toxtricity that Toxel evolves into is influenced by its Nature. In Sword/Shield, players could get a Toxel from the Pokemon Nursery on Route 5, but these little Pokemon could also be caught in the wild.
While it's unknown if Pokemon GO will ever include Dynamaxing or Gigantamaxing, Toxtricity had its special Gigantamax form in Sword/Shield. This may not carry over into GO. Despite this, Toxel could be an interesting Pokemon to add to GO simply for Toxtricity's Amped and Low Key Form. Maybe Toxel's evolution will be influenced by its IVs.
8 Applin, Flapple, & Appletun
Scarlet/Violet's Teal Mask and Indigo Disk DLC announced a third evolution for Applin: Dipplin. Prior to Gen 9, Applin would evolve into Flapple or Appletun depending on the type of apple it was given (i.e, Tart Apple or Sweet Apple). In Sword/Shield, Flapple and Appletun were version-exclusive Pokemon. Yet despite the Applin-line gaining some attention, they can't be found in Pokemon GO just yet.
It's possible that Applin's evolution could be influenced by IVs, similar to Tyrogue, if it were to appear in Pokemon GO. Another reason why the apple-dragon Pokemon hasn't appeared yet could be due to the recent addition of Dipplin. If Applin is added to GO, then it should have three different evolutions. Although, it's not impossible to add Applin, Appletun, and Flapple first, then include Dipplin later. This was done with the Galarian Slowpoke, who could only evolve into Galarian Slowbro until Galarian Slowking was added to GO.
7 Milcery & Alcremie
Milcery is known for being able to evolve into Alcremie, but the type of Alcremie it turns into would depend on the Sweet. In Sword/Shield, evolving Milcery required it to be in the party while holding a Sweet. Then, trainers would have to spin their character clockwise or counterclockwise for a certain amount of seconds to get Alcremie. There are 9 different Forms of Alcremie.
Pokemon GO doesn't exclude Pokemon with Form Variants. One example is Furfrou, whose form could be changed by feeding it 25 Candy and 10,000 Stardust. It's possible that if Milcery and Alcremie do arrive in Pokemon GO, the evolution method would work similarly to changing a Furfrou's appearance.
6 Dracozolt, Arctozolt, Dracovish, & Arctovish
Fossil Pokemon have been a staple in most of the mainline Pokemon games, but Scarlet/Violet does not have any new Fossil Pokemon to bring to the table. This could be in part to the Paradox Pokemon, but the true reason is still up to debate. That hasn't stopped the Fossil Pokemon from previous generations from appearing in Pokemon GO.
Gen 8 has a unique take on the Fossilized Pokemon. There are four different types, but each one has something wrong with it whether it's an upside down head or a land Pokemon stuck in the body of an aquatic Pokemon. The Water/Dragon-type Dracovish has made a name for itself in the competitive side of the Pokemon community, so it's a wonder why none of them have started appearing in Pokemon GO. With Tyrunt and Amaura added to GO, Galar's Fossil Pokemon are the only ones that need to break into the game.
5 Hatenna, Hattrem, & Hatterene
The Hatenna-line are a cute group of Psychic-type Pokemon, and when fully evolved into Hatterene, it gained the dual type Psychic/Fairy. Despite their adorable appearance, they're extremely sensitive to powerful emotions and noise. Hattrem and Hatterene in particular won't hesitate to pummel anyone causing them distress. This tidbit has swiftly earned the Hatenna-line some recognition among the fanbase.
Hatenna-line's popularity is precisely why it's so bizarre that they have not yet been included in Pokemon GO. After all, fan-favorite Gardevoir has been in GO for quite a while, so it's only a matter of time before they add Psychic/Fairy-type Hatterene. Although, like any other Galar Pokemon waiting their turn, it's possible that the debut of Hatenna and its evolutions in Pokemon GO has already been decided by Niantic.
4 Snom & Frosmoth
Another fan-favorite is Snom, an Ice/Bug-type Pokemon from the Galar Region. Once its friendship is high enough, it will evolve into Frosmoth, but only at night. When Snom was first revealed, a huge majority of the fanbase took a liking to it. It's hard not to like, too: Snom is tiny, and utterly adorable! Despite this, there are some fans who find it overrated or just don't care for its appeal.
Snom and Frosmoth made their return in Scarlet/Violet, but weirdly enough, they still haven't crossed over into Pokemon GO. There's no shortage of Bug-types in GO, but the Snom-line would make a nice addition. With Bug/Fire-type Larvesta and Volcarona recently making their debut, Snom and Frosmoth may not be too far behind. Snom's potential evolution method in GO could reflect its method in the mainline Pokemon games. Perhaps evolving it could use the Buddy Feature and require players to earn Hearts or walk a certain distance with it.
3 Dreepy, Drakloak, Dragapult
Like Snom, the fanbase seemed to have taken a liking to Dreepy when it was first revealed, and this even extended to its final evolution: Dragapult. Each Generation of Pokemon has a pseudo-legendary, which is a Pokemon that's part of a three-chain evolution line, and whose stats total exactly 600. Dragapult was the pseudo-legendary for Sword/Shield, and it's the only pseudo-legendary (barring Baxcalibur) that isn't in Pokemon GO.
There aren't any unusual evolution methods for Dreepy to become Drakloak, and then Drakloak to Dragapult. Given its Dragon/Ghost-typing, the Dreepy-line is likely to debut during a Halloween event as a reward for completing Timed Research Tasks.
2 Rookidee, Corvisquire, Corviknight
Corviknight gained attention when it was first revealed, and it had a relatively important role in Pokemon: Twilight Wings. The pre-evolved Rookidee is a pure Flying-type that can be caught in the first routes in Sword/Shield. It evolves into Corvisquire at level 18, and then into Corviknight at level 38. Much like Toxtricity and the Applin evolutions, Corviknight has a Gigantamax form.
It's likely that the Rookidee-line will be the next Galar Pokemon to appear in Pokemon GO, or at least the next Flying-type from Gen 8. By popularity standards, it has a higher chance of debuting before a Pokemon like Yamper. They're a common Pokemon in Sword/Shield as well, so it's possible that Rookidees will be easy to find and catch.
1 Grookey, Scorbunny, & Sobble
If Pokemon GO decides to put in more Gen 8/Galar Pokemon, then they'll eventually need to add the Galar Starters: Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble. With the recent announcement of Gen 9 Pokemon coming to Pokemon GO in September 2023, it's about time the Galar Starters made an appearance.
While they may be less likely to appear in the wild shortly following their eventual debut, they could be hatched from Eggs, much like the Alolan Starters. Of course, once they become available, they'll be able to evolve into Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon respectively. Maybe the Galar Starters' final evolutions could serve as Raid Bosses, too.
Pokemon Sworld & Shield are available for Nintendo Switch; Pokemon GO is available for mobile devices.