Shiny Pokémon

Shiny Pokemon are rarer versions of regular Pokemon that have a different color scheme and gain 50% more EXP than non-shiny Pokemon.

They are characterized by a color scheme that differs from their normal coloration. The change varies from drastic, e.g. Shiny Gyarados, to more moderate, e.g. Shiny Pikachu. In addition, shiny Pokemon are given a sparkling animation, hence the name.

At the moment, everytime a Pokémon spawns, there is a 0.1% chance of it being shiny. Shiny Pokemon always have a red life bar, so you can catch them with much lower risk of causing them to dispear.

In multiplayer mode, the chance of getting a shiny pokemon will be 0.01%.

You can also obtain Shiny Pokemon from Trading and Mystery Gift codes.

Shinies by update:

Before v2.4:
 * Bulbasaur -> Ivysaur
 * Charmander -> Charmeleon
 * Squirtle -> Wartortle
 * Pikachu -> Raichu
 * Geodude -> Graveler -> Golem
 * Mew
 * Pidgey -> Pidgeotto

v2.4:
 * Caterpie -> Metapod -> Butterfree
 * Weedle -> Kakuna -> Beedrill
 * Ratatta -> Raticate
 * Spearow -> Fearow
 * Ekans -> Arbok
 * Sandshrew -> Sandslash
 * Jigglypuff -&gt; Wigglytuff

v2.5: v2.6:
 * Abra -&gt; Kadabra -&gt; Alakazam


 * Nidoran ♀ -> Nidorina -> Nidoqueen


 * Nidoran ♂ -> Nidorino -> Nidoking

v2.7 v2.9 Role in the Game:
 * Zubat -> Golbat
 * Mankey -> Primeape
 * Growlithe -> Arcanine
 * Vulpix -> Ninetales
 * Poliwag -> Poliwhirl -> Poliwrath
 * Oddish -> Gloom -> Vileplume
 * Bellsprout -> Weepinbell -> Victreebel
 * Paras -> Parasect
 * Clefairy -> Clefable
 * Jynx
 * Venusaur
 * Blastoise
 * Charizard
 * Magikarp -> Gyarados
 * Pidgeot version 2.8 has same shinys as 2.7
 * Meowth -> Persian

Something of a hidden extra, Shiny Pokemon are not a necessary part of winning the game. Due to their rarity, in fact, it would be easy for a player to not encounter any. However, as the are typically the rewards for deciphering Mystery Gift clues and beating chalenge mode games, it is not terribly difficult to obtain at least a few.

Shiny Pokemon are inspired by the creatures of the same name in Nintendo's original games. Both feature special aesthetic effects. In the original games, unlike the tower defense version, they gain no extra experience. This is likely inspired by the original's nature of traded Pokemon, and possibly by Pokerus,

As with the Nintendo games, Shiny pokemon are especially valuable to collectors and others who see a "coolness factor" in their rarity and are as such great bargaining chips in trades.