How to redeem Pokémon Scarlet and Violet mystery gifts on Switch

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Pre-ordered players can redeem a Tera Type Pikachu in a small hat made of crystal balloons. It’s very cute, and it knows the move Fly, a flying-type move Pikachu can’t typically use.

This Pikachu is only available to those who have pre-ordered. Scarlet Violet: You need to be able to connect to the internet, and you need to have unlocked the Pokémon Center’s Poké Portal — which should be anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes into the game.

To open the menu, press X. You can choose Poké PortalThen, select Give a mystery giftThere are more options. (It’s the last option on the menu.) You’ll then choose to Get via Internet button, and from there, you’ll be able to choose “Flying Tera Type Pikachu Gift” from the next screen. To select the item, hit A. Your boxes will receive a balloon-adorned level 5 Pikachu. When you see it in game regularly, it’ll be a normal Pikachu. But when it Terastallizes, you’ll see the balloons.

Pikachu will remain a mystery gift until then Feb. 28, 2023.

Pikachu is currently the only Mystery Gift available, however there are likely to be many more. As for special events, The Pokémon Company is running a Black Crystal Tera Raid Battle with Charizard, from Dec. Dec. 15-18, but you’ll have to earn those in a raid — they’re not free Mystery Gifts. Raids are your only way to catch Charizard.