21 best shiny Pokémon: Which shinies are the coolest?
The best of the shiny best...
One of the most exciting things in Pokémon is when you come across a shiny variant, especially in Pokémon Go as they can be used to create even cooler evolutions.
There are too many to count, but we've gathered what we reckon are 21 of the coolest shiny Pokémon going.
Though they may not provide any material benefits in terms of CP or strength, they are just plain cool.
Some of them are truly rare as well, making them all the more elusive and exciting to catch.
You can also find them throughout the best Pokémon games on Switch if Pokémon Go isn't your bag.
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Who knows what shiny variants we will get to see in Pokémon Legends Z-A?
But with Generation 10 not coming for a good while yet, we'll have to make do with what we've got now. Read on to see what we think are the coolest shinies in Pokémon!
21 best shiny Pokémon
Below are what we reckon to be the coolest shiny Pokémon found in Pokémon Go.
With new Pokémon being added all the time, this list is sure to expand.
Necrozma
Necrozma was already pretty cool, but its shiny variant takes things up a notch.
Instead of their usual colouring, shiny Necrozma takes on a deep midnight blue colour.
Its shininess can be carried over to Dusk Mane or Dawn Wings too who also look appropriately cool too!
Ponyta
We love Ponyta here, and the fiery blaze that comes off it in the original form is cool enough. Swapping the orange flame for an ice blue one ups Ponyta to another level – same too with its evolution, Rapidash – and this remains one of our favourite shiny Pokémon that the franchise has ever given us.
Galarian Zigzagoon
The regional Pokémon variations already give us a new look for the ones involved, but they too have shiny variations. One of the best of the bunch there is without question the fun, blue-tongued Galarian Zigzagoon.
Charizard
Sometimes a picture says all you need to say, and that is the case with shiny Charizard, who has morphed from its traditional orange into this sleek and awesome grey/black design. This is the go-to version of this Pokémon for us; the original does not come close.
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Vaporeon
First of all, look how happy shiny Vaporeon looks – it fills our hearts with joy. Even more so when it comes to the shiny version that looks super sweet in its pink/purple colouring – and that is saying something, as we love the original blue, too.
Furret
Fans of Bagpuss will go crazy for Shiny Furret, who ditches its brown stripes for some delightfully pink ones.
How one of the cutest Pokémon out there got even cuter – we can't tell you. It is truly a marvel of 'mon engineering.
Gyarados
Gyarados is one of the coolest looking Pokémon from the original generation, even in its original form, but its blue look is nothing compared to how awesome it looks when it's in race car red.
Dratini
Dear sweet Dratini. We have always loved this generation-one Pokémon and while we love the OG blue that it usually comes in, we have a soft spot for the shiny pink version – and just looking at it should tell you why.
Mega Gengar
As a Ghost-type Pokémon, it only seems appropriate that shiny Mega Gengar takes on an all-white appearance. They certainly give Casper a run for their money, that's for sure.
It's certainly striking, especially with its subtle pink colouration. You're sure to wow all if you've got them in your Pokédex.
Politoed
Shiny Politoed sees it go from an unassuming tree frog to a full-on Blue poison dart frog – though in appearance only.
The blue and purple colours are really striking – but we can't deny that the original Politoed isn't great too!
Metagross
It's hard to imagine that a giant robot arachnid could get much cooler, yet, here we are,
Shiny Mentagross keeps the signature red eyes but has a more silver-like body with gold accents.
This makes them seem all the more robot-like and gives the appearance that they just rolled off the assembly line, all shiny and new.
Mega Rayquaza
Mega Rayquaza was introduced during the Pokémon Go 2023 Global Event, and while its Jade-green dragon colouration was cool, the shiny variant takes things to the next level.
Gone is the green and in is black, grey and red for a seriously mean looking Pokémon.
Mega Gardevoir
Gardevoir has quite an ethereal appearance, but Shiny Mega Gardevoir is a certified goth.
The green hair is gone and is replaced with a pastel blue and their flowing white features have been replaced with an all-black get-up.
They even look angrier to boot. Watch out lest ye get on the wrong side of this mega cool Pokémon.
Luxray
Luxray is a super cool Pokémon at the best of times, but just look at how awesome it looks all dolled up to impress with its shiny colouring of black and orange. Easily up there with the best of the best of Pokémon designs and a fantastic shiny.
Umbreon
Umbreon was cool enough with their signature black and gold guise, but shiny Umbreon ups the cool factor by donning don seriously Tron-like blue stripes.
This gives them an almost futuristic appearance. Though check out all the Eevee evolutions, as they are all really cool, to be honest.
Spoink
Little Spoink actually looks more mischievous when in its shiny form – we definitely get different vibes from it than we do with its standard colouring. Swapping the purple and grey for a yellow and grey scheme does wonders for Spoink, and we will always prefer this version to the original.
Lapras
A change to a larger Pokémon is always more notable, and one of our Pokémon Go catch highlights was the first time we went to catch a Lapras and were greeted with this shiny purple version – it's one that will remain in our inventory, never to be sent back to the professor.
Sylveon
Sylveon is already cool and very cute with their white, pink and blue do, but shiny Sylveon inverts this to have blue colouration where it was pink before – including even their eyes!
This looks really unique and makes this ethereal Fairy type Pokémon all the more fantastical.
Wailord
Make sure that you have a lot of Wailmer candy stored up if you are on the hunt for a shiny Wailord, as you need 400 of them to make the evolution. You'll be glad you did, though, as Wailmer looks seriously impressive when its blue colours are swapped out for purple.
Ditto
Ah, the elusive Ditto. A unique Pokémon in that you will never know if you have one until you catch a Pokémon that transforms into it – and getting hold of a shiny one can take a while and a lot of luck.
You will be happy if you find one, though, as the switch from purple to blue helps this simple-looking 'mon look pretty slick.
Dragonite
Shiny Dragonite sheds the golden hues of their non-shiny counterpart and is, instead, imbued with very dragon-appropriate green hues and purple wings not unlike that of Golbat.
There is even a Fashionable Shiny Dragonite donning sunglasses and a bowtie that was available during the Pokémon Go Fashion Week 2023 event. Doesn't get much cooler than that.
Read more on Pokémon:
- Pokémon Go Raids schedule - upcoming battles
- Best Pokémon gifts - the greatest merch
- Best Pokémon games on Switch - our ranking
- Best shiny Pokémon - the coolest creatures
- Best Dragon-type Pokémon - who's your fave?
- All cat Pokémon - the felines to catch
- Pokémon natures guide - all you need to know
- Pokémon type chart - strengths and weaknesses explained
- Legendary Pokémon - the full list
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet cheats - handy hacks
- Pokémon Emerald cheats - what you need to know
- Pokémon Fire Red cheats - all codes
- Pokémon Go friend codes - and how to find them
- Pokémon games in order - where to start
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