Mewtwo Raid Takes Over Times Square as Pokémon Go Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Mega Evolutions
July 10, 2026Mewtwo dominated Times Square on Pokémon Go’s 10th anniversary, as The Pokémon Company recreated the iconic 2016 trailer live in Manhattan with an exclusive Unity Raid and introduced Mega Mewtwo X and Y to the game through new Super Mega Raids.
On July 10, 2026, The Pokémon Company marked the 10th anniversary of Pokémon Go by staging a massive Mewtwo raid event in New York City’s Times Square. This live celebration saw Pokémon take over the digital billboards that dominate the iconic location, replaying highlights from the original 2016 Pokémon Go announcement trailer culminating with hundreds of players uniting to battle Mewtwo. The event was timed with the game’s anniversary and cemented the enduring cultural relevance of Pokémon Go, which was first released in 2016 and has since become one of the most successful mobile games in history.
Pokémon Go’s Times Square Takeover: Key Details

Times Square Event Facts:
- Date of Event: July 10, 2026
- Location: Times Square, Manhattan, New York City
- Reason: Pokémon Go 10th Anniversary Celebrations
- Main Activities: Re-creation of 2016 trailer, live Unity Raid against Mewtwo
- Exclusive Content: Attendees could capture a special event-exclusive Mewtwo form only available at Times Square during the event
As reported by Jordan Middler, “The Pokémon Company has recreated the first Pokémon Go trailer for its 10th anniversary by taking over Times Square with a Mewtwo raid”. Screens throughout Times Square displayed the climactic scenes from the original Pokémon Go trailer, which famously depicted a crowd of players challenging Mewtwo in the city hub. After this digital display, attendees participated in a Unity Raid, a format where thousands of trainers coordinate to battle a single high-level Pokémon.
Players in attendance had an opportunity to capture a special event-version of Mewtwo, distributed exclusively at the Times Square event through in-game mechanics not available elsewhere. This model mirrors the 2016 launch, where group play defined the Pokémon Go community experience.
10 years later, Pokemon Go takes over Times Square to defeat Mewtwo.
— Jordan Middler (@jordanmiddler.bsky.social) July 10, 2026 at 9:02 AM
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Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Super Mega Raids: Game-Changing Features

Pokémon Go’s 10th anniversary also brought significant gameplay expansions, with the in-game debut of Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y. These Mega Evolutions were introduced alongside a new Super Mega Raid format. According to the event report, “The event also marked the introduction of Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y into the game. Players can take them on as part of new Super Mega Raids, which require high-level Pokémon. Super Mega Raids require eight or more trainers to participate in.”
- Super Mega Raids: New raid battles requiring at least eight trainers
- New Bosses: Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y debut in Pokémon Go
- Exclusive Mechanic: Super Mega Raid bosses use shields that can only be broken by Mega Evolved Pokémon
This evolution in raid mechanics raises the bar for cooperative play in Pokémon Go. The shield system, unique to these raids, introduces a new tactical requirement: “These new raid bosses have the ability to shield themselves; these shields can only be taken down by Mega Evolved Pokémon.” This ensures only players with strong teams and coordinated strategies will succeed.
These updates further solidify Pokémon Go’s place in the mobile game arena. Since its launch in 2016, originally developed by Niantic in partnership with The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Go has merged real-world exploration and digital collection for an enormous global player base. Its debut stemmed from a Google Maps April Fools’ prank, and it rapidly evolved into a genuine cultural phenomenon.
The success of Pokémon Go led to the launch of additional related titles, like Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee on Nintendo Switch, which incorporated Pokémon Go’s signature catching mechanics. The synergy between mobile and console play has been a distinguishing feature of the franchise’s recent years, ensuring high engagement and innovation.
As Pokémon Go celebrates 10 years with this high-profile Manhattan event, it not only honours its roots, but demonstrates its ongoing relevance with ambitious new raid designs and international-scale gatherings. With Mega Mewtwo X and Y now available, and Times Square again the centrepiece of Pokémon community action, Pokémon Go’s 10th anniversary signals a new era for live events and augmented reality gameplay.



