If you’ve been playing Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet, you might already know that getting shiny legendary Pokémon is a rare treat. Until now, neither Miraidon nor Koraidon had an official shiny release—these Pokémon were “shiny-locked,” meaning you could not legitimately catch or receive their shiny forms in normal gameplay. But that has changed with a special event in 2025. Below, you’ll find a clear, step-by-step guide on how to get shiny Miraidon and Koraidon, along with tips and things to watch out for.
Miraidon (from Scarlet) and Koraidon (from Violet) are version-exclusive legendaries tied to those games. In previous updates and distributions, there was no official way to obtain shiny versions. Many fans speculated that because they are key plot Pokémon, Game Freak would never allow their shiny forms. In fact, players in community forums often mentioned that attempts to hunt them or alter files would lead to banned or duplicate Pokémon, because the games blocked shiny versions of these legendaries in ordinary gameplay. (It was commonly agreed that “Miraidon and Koraidon are shiny locked.”)
So, the only route became by special event distribution—and luckily, one such event is now active.
The 2025 Shiny Distribution Event
In late September 2025, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company launched a special in-store distribution event to give players a chance to receive shiny Miraidon (for Scarlet players) or shiny Koraidon (for Violet players). The promotion runs from September 26 to October 15, 2025, in select countries and participating retail stores.
Here are the key facts of the event:
- The distribution is free—no purchase is required.
- The event is done via serial code cards given at physical stores.
- Each code lets you redeem exactly one shiny legendary for your game version.
- Stocks are limited—once the retailer runs out of codes, that location may no longer give them out.
- You must redeem the code via Mystery Gift in your game by a certain cutoff date (often a few days after the event ends).
Retailers participating:
- In the U.S.: GameStop stores
- In Canada, Australia, New Zealand: EB Games
- In Japan: select video game retailers show the game’s icon to issue codes
If you live elsewhere, check whether local game stores or regional Pokémon announcements will join the distribution.
Step-by-Step: Claiming your Shiny
Once you have a valid code, here is exactly what to do inside Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet:
- Launch your game and open the main menu.
- Press X to access the menu, then choose Poké Portal.
- In Poké Portal, select Mystery Gift.
- Choose “Get with Code/Password”.
- Enter the serial code you received from the store.
- Download your gift. The shiny Pokémon will be delivered—either to your party if slots free, or into your Pokémon Boxes.
- Save your game immediately after accepting the Pokémon.
If you forget to save, there’s a risk the Pokémon is lost because codes are single use and cannot be redone.
Important tips & warnings
- Bring your Switch (or show the game icon): Some stores may ask to verify you own Scarlet or Violet. In Japan, showing the game icon on your console is required.
- Go early: Codes are limited, and popular stores will run out fast.
- Check hours & stock: Call ahead if possible to see if a store has codes left.
- Don’t trust resellers: Some people may advertise codes or “pre-redeemed” shinies for sale. These are often illegal or against game rules.
- Regional restrictions: The event is confirmed for certain countries; if your region is not listed, you may miss out or need to import a code.
- Redemption deadline: Even if the event ends October 15, sometimes the deadline to redeem is later (for example, October 23 in some regions).
- Shiny locked in normal capture: After the event, it’s unlikely that you can get these legendaries shiny by normal means.
After you get it: what you can and can’t do
- Once your shiny Miraidon or Koraidon is in your game, you can use it just like any other Pokémon: include it in battles, trade it (depending on game rules), or use it for raids.
- You cannot legally clone or duplicate codes—each distribution is one time only per code.
- Because it’s a special limited event, these shiny forms may become rare and highly prized among collectors.
What if you miss it?
If the window passes before you manage to claim a code, your options are limited:
- Wait and hope for a future re-distribution event. Pokémon often repeat popular events (though it’s never guaranteed).
- Participate in community trading or events, though you must ensure anything you receive is legitimate and meets trading rules.
- Follow official Pokémon announcements to see if the event is expanded to more regions later.
