Photo of a beach scene with the Pokemon Wiglett popping out of the sand, with several question marks nearby
Image via Niantic

Wiglett Debut During Kanto-Themed Event Excites & Confuses Pokemon GO Fans

If you didn’t look extra closely at the details for the Rediscover Kanto event in Pokemon GO, you might miss it: buried at the bottom of the Biome feature, there’s a quick note about the Pokemon GO debut of Wiglett. This Paldean Pokemon looks like Kanto’s Diglett, but the Pokedex entry is clear that they’re not related. So why is this Pokemon making its first GO appearance during a Kanto event?

Recommended Videos

Whether or not it makes sense, Wiglett is here, and players are thrilled about it. Well, mostly thrilled, and maybe a little bit confused. After all, what’s this elongated Diglett clone doing popping up from the sand during a Kanto event?

Players have been excitedly sharing their Wiglett screenshots since the beach-dwelling Pokemon debuted in Pokemon GO, noting its impressive size and their excitement at another Paldea addition to the game.

While players are excited overall at this surprise non-Kanto debut, it also kind of doesn’t make sense. Between cries of “Yay, Wiglett!” there are questions about why this Pokemon is debuting during an event that’s literally called “Rediscover Kanto.” It’s almost as if Niantic understands players don’t want or need to rediscover the very first region we’ve ever known.

At any rate, even Pokemon GO itself seems to think Wiglett’s a bit of an odd detail for the event. You’ll find no mention of Wiglett on their event details news post for Rediscover Kanto. Normally, Niantic loves to shout from the rooftops when a new Pokemon debuts since this is one thing that brings players back to the game. This time, though, you’ll have to dig through the details on the Rediscover GO page to see that Wiglett has freshly arrived in the beach biome.

Another point of confusion centers on the beach biome itself and the new biome system more generally. “Do I actually have to travel to the beach to catch Wiglett?” players ask, especially those of us who don’t live anywhere near the coast.

Thankfully, the beach biome seems to spawn near bodies of water, even if it’s not the ocean. That means you should be able to catch Wiglett without planning an elaborate beach vacation.

Not only is Wiglett here, its evolution Wugtrio is also now available in Pokemon GO. Like most debut Pokemon in the game, it cannot yet be Shiny.


The Escapist is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article PSA: Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Has a Game-Breaking Recruitment Bug
Screenshot of Lam in Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.
Read Article Xbox & X-Men ’97 Are Teaming Up to Offer You a Custom Console & Controllers
X-Men '97 custom Xbox and controllers.
Read Article Watcher Addresses Streaming Service Controversy
Related Content
Read Article PSA: Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Has a Game-Breaking Recruitment Bug
Screenshot of Lam in Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.
Read Article Xbox & X-Men ’97 Are Teaming Up to Offer You a Custom Console & Controllers
X-Men '97 custom Xbox and controllers.
Read Article Watcher Addresses Streaming Service Controversy
Author
Amanda Kay Oaks
Amanda Kay Oaks has been a freelancer writer with The Escapist since February 2024. She's a lifelong gamer with an affinity for Pokemon, RPGs, and cozy games, especially The Sims. Amanda has an MFA in Creative Nonfiction, with prior work on pop culture and entertainment at Book Riot, Fanfare, and Gamepur.