Pokémon GO developer Niantic Labs has rolled out the Water Festival event for the popular mobile game, increasing the chances of players to catch water-type Pokémon such as Magikarp and Squirtle and ice-type Pokémon Lapras.

However, reports claim that the Water Festival held a secret that was only found out after the event began, and that is the arrival of shiny Pokémon into Pokémon GO.

Shiny Magikarp Spotted In 'Pokémon GO'

Pokémon GO players have reported that they have caught the shiny version of the adorable but rather useless Magikarp, the first of its kind that has been spotted in the mobile game.

Shiny Pokémon are not more powerful than their regular counterparts, and do not possess any abilities that will give them an advantage over other Pokémon. However, due to their unique look and rarity, players are hoping to catch their own shiny Pokémon, even if it is just a Magikarp.

In other Pokémon games, shiny Pokémon usually have shining stars surrounding them, and when caught, a unique sound effect plays. Originally, shiny Pokémon were more powerful than the normal versions, but that does not seem to be the case in Pokémon GO.

The shiny Magikarp that is now able to be caught in Pokémon GO is gold in color, which makes it stand out from the normal red Magikarp.

However, while the shiny Magikarp is the only shiny Pokémon now being able to be caught in the game, it is not the only one in Pokémon GO. The shiny Magikarp can be evolved using 400 Magikarp candies into a shiny Gyarados. While the red Magikarp turned into gold for its shiny version, the blue Gyarados becomes red for its shiny counterpart.

Catching Shiny Magikarp In 'Pokémon GO'

According to players who have caught a shiny Magikarp, the Pokémon does not appear to be different when viewed on the game's map. However, upon tapping on the Magikarp to catch it, it will finally reveal itself to be a shiny one.

When a Magikarp appears to be a shiny one on a player's map, it has been found that it will not also appear as a shiny Pokémon on the maps of other players.

Apparently, there is no way for players to increase their chances of finding a shiny Magikarp on their Pokémon GO map. Players will need to rely on luck and simply increase their Pokémon hunting activity while searching for a shiny Magikarp.

It is unclear if there have been other shiny Pokémon added to Pokémon GO aside from Magikarp and Gyarados, and if their shiny counterparts will still be available upon the end of the Water Festival event on March 29. For players hoping to catch their own shiny Magikarp, to be on the safe side, make sure that you do so before the event ends.

It is also not known whether shiny versions of other Pokémon will soon be added to the game.

With the arrival of the shiny Magikarp along with the launch of the Water Festival event, now might be a good time for dormant Pokémon GO players to once again fire up the mobile game. However, for those who are already tired of Pokémon GO, perhaps Pokémon Yellow on the Apple Watch will interest you?