Pokémon Go Kanto Throwback Challenge 2020 quest steps and research tasks explained

Pokémon Go's Kanto Throwback Challenge is a quest to celebrate the first generation of Pokémon.

As well we focusing on creatures which debuted in Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow, it also features references to the eight Gym leaders you encounter throughout the adventure.

Unlike quests such as Mew and Celebi, Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto doesn't result in an encounter with a new Pokémon, but instead something - which we won't spoil here - which makes completing it well worth your while.

On this page:

How 'Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto' works in Pokémon Go

Kanto Throwback works the same as other Research quests which were first introduced in March 2018, where players complete objectives for special rewards.

This has you progress through eight steps, all themed around Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow's gym leaders and their Pokémon. For example, each step has you catch a Pokémon type related to the eight gyms in sequence, and each step's encounter reward is the strongest Pokémon in that gym leader's line-up. (Thanks to chaokila on reddit for noticing this!)

Unlike recent 2020's run of paid-for quests, this is free for all players. There is, however, a deadline of one week to access and complete the Kanto Throwback series of quests, so make sure you run every step before it finishes.

When is the 'Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto' release date and time in Pokémon Go?

The Kanto Throwback Challenge is one of five Throwback Challenges releasing week-by-week from the start of May 2020.

This will go first, with the Kanto Throwback Challenge running between Friday, May 1st 2020 to Friday, May 8th 2020, starting and ending at a time of 1pm local time.

Completing this, and the other three Throwback Challenges, will unlock a special final 'Throwback Challenge Champion 2020' event from June 3rd.

If you've seen leaks of this quest, this is because in late April 2020 the questline was released by accident to a small number of players, which has since been acknowledged by Niantic:

The Season of Rising Heroes is here! Currently the A Valorous Hero event is running, bringing with it Mega Pinsir and the A Valorous Hero special research quest. The new Grass and Gratitude quest allows you to catch a mythical Shaymin! A new Team Go Rocket quest - From The Shadows - has been released, along with a shake up of the Giovanni and Team Go Rocket Leaders lineups. As you continue your Pokémon Go adventure, make sure to battle in the new Go Battle League season. Don't forget to take a look at the Remote Raid Passes changes or, if you purchased it, work on the Masterwork Research: Wish Granted quest. Elsewhere, be sure to use Daily Adventure Incense for the chance of encountering Galarian Articuno, Galarian Zapdos and Galarian Moltres. This incense may also give you encounters with other rare Pokémon in Pokémon Go.

'Throwback Challenge 2020: Kanto' quest steps in Pokémon Go explained

Here are all steps and confirmed rewards for the Kanto Throwback quest. Be wary of spoilers before continuing, if you are worried about learning what each objective entails before unlocking them.

Thanks to chaokila on reddit for confirming the following:

'Kanto Throwback Challenge' Step 1 of 9

• Catch 3 Grass, Water or Fire-type Pokémon - x10 PokéBalls
• Take a Snapshot of a Bug-type Pokémon - x5 Pinap Berries
• Catch a Rock-type Pokémon - x500 Stardust

Rewards for completing Step 1: Onix encounter, 1x Rare Candy, 2x Golden Razz Berry

'Kanto Throwback Challenge' Step 2 of 9

• Battle in a Raid - Clefairy encounter
• Transfer 3 Pokémon - x10 Super Potion
• Catch a Water-type Pokémon - 500x Stardust

Rewards for completing Step 2: Starmie Encounter, 1x Rare Candy, 2x Silver Pinap Berry

'Kanto Throwback Challenge' Step 3 of 9

• Evolve 3 Pokémon - x10 Great Balls
• Hatch an Egg - Snorlax encounter
• Catch an Electric-type Pokémon - x500 Stardust

Rewards for completing Step 3: Raichu Encounter, 1x Rare Candy, 2x Golden Razz Berry

'Kanto Throwback Challenge' Step 4 of 9

• Give your Buddy a treat - Gastly encounter
• Send a Gift to a friend - Dratini encounter
• Catch a Grass-type Pokémon - 500x Stardust

Rewards for completing Step 4: Tangela Encounter, 1x Rare Candy, 2x Silver Pinap Berry

'Kanto Throwback Challenge' Step 5 of 9

• Earn a Candy walking with a Buddy - 10x Ultra Balls
• Make 3 Great Throws - Chansey encounter
• Catch a Poison-type Pokémon - 500x Stardust

Rewards for completing Step 5: Weezing Encounter, 1x Rare Candy, 2x Golden Razz Berry

'Kanto Throwback Challenge' Step 6 of 9

• Take a Snapshot of a Ghost-type Pokémon - Hitmonchan encounter
• Catch a Fighting-type Pokémon - Lapras encounter
• Catch a Psychic-type Pokémon - 500x Stardust

Rewards for completing Step 6: Alakazam Encounter, 1x Rare Candy, 2x Silver Pinap Berry

'Kanto Throwback Challenge' Step 7 of 9

• Take a Snapshot of an Ice-type Pokémon - 10x Hyper Potion
• Evolve a Pokémon - Aerodactyl encounter
• Catch a Fire-type Pokémon - 500x Stardust

Rewards for completing Step 7: Arcanine Encounter, 1x Rare Candy, 2x Golden Razz Berry

'Kanto Throwback Challenge' Step 8 of 9

• Power up a Pokémon 6 times - 1x Fast TM
• Battle another Trainer - 1x Star Piece
• Catch a Ground-type Pokémon - 500x Stardust

Rewards for completing Step 8: Nidoking Encounter, 1x Rare Candy, 2x Silver Pinap Berry

'Kanto Throwback Challenge' Step 9 of 9

• Claim reward - 3000 XP
• Claim reward - 3000 XP
• Claim reward - 3000 XP

Rewards for completing Step 9: Mewtwo with Psystrike encounter, 10x Rare Candy

That's then the quest done! The end reward of Mewtwo - one of the Best Pokémon, even now, which is also a possible Shiny - more than makes this worth the effort.

Throwback Challenge 2020 research tasks in Pokémon Go explained

As well as the above quest, the Kanto Throwback Challenge has a week of Research Tasks to find from spinning PokeStops. These are:

• Battle another Trainer reward - Bulbasaur
• Catch 3 Poison Pokémon reward - Venobat
• Catch 7 Pokémon reward reward - Krabby
• Give your Buddy 3 Treats reward - Mankey
• Play with your Buddy reward - Muk
• Power up your Pokémon reward - Squritle
• Take a Snapshot of your Buddy reward - Pikachu
• Transfer 7 Pokémon reward - Butterfree

Thanks to SilphScience on reddit for confirming the above.

As always, these will only appear for the duration of the event, but if you pick one up, you can hold onto them and complete them once it concludes.