It sometimes feels entirely random which shiny Pokémon Niantic decides to release to the players. They often fit some type of themed week or event, but often, they simply don't and are chosen spontaneously, it seems. With these events, other, more interesting things (or huge glaring problems that get the community riled up) overshadow the released shiny, making many forget it was even added.
Other Pokémon are so rare and unusable in the competitive scene that many forget they exist at all, regardless of their shiny being released. Then, there are some that are amazingly not yet in the game. Here are some examples of both.
10 In the Game — Skitty
Skitty, the Normal-type cat Pokémon initially found in the Hoenn region, was released as part of Generation III's first wave in GO in 2017. Its shiny form would not be released for almost three more years, debuting in the Hoenn Throwback Challenge in early 2020.
Spawn rates were pretty low for Skitty and its debut as a shiny was overshadowed by special research and ongoing quarantines because of the COVID-19 pandemic reaching its peak. Since then, it has not been an extremely common spawn, so many have forgotten it's even around.
9 Not Yet in the Game — Slowpoke
One of the most iconic and beloved Pokémon in series history is Slowpoke, the confused, slow, and adorable Water/Psychic-type originally introduced in the Kanto region. It has two evolutions across two generations, and features prominently in much Pokémon media.
Amazingly, its shiny has not yet been released in the game, despite multiple Water-type events that boost Slowpoke spawns, Slowking's debut in Generation II, and the fact that it serves as the de facto mascot of the Isle of Armor DLC for Sword & Shield. While this game is separate from GO, Niantic does like to promote main series games with events in GO, and Slowpoke would have been a perfect choice as a shiny for promoting the expansion.
8 In the Game — Nincada
One of the hardest Pokémon to find in the entire game is Nincada. It's only available during certain events and is even pretty rare during those events, too. Currently, it is unattainable in the game by legitimate means.
However, interestingly, its shiny form was released in March 2020 as part of the Drive to Investigate event. During that event, Nincada was pretty rare, meaning not many people were able to boast catching a shiny one. Now, it's impossible until Niantic brings it back again.
7 Not Yet in the Game — Shedinja
Nincada is one of the most gimmicky Pokémon, technically evolving into two other Pokémon simultaneously — Ninjask and, if certain conditions are met, Shedinja. However, Niantic did not introduce them this way, instead reserving Shedinja for a Field Research Breakthrough reward.
Even though it has been separated from its pre-evolutions, it is still a member of the Nincada evolutionary family. Yet, they failed to release its shiny version alongside Nincada and Ninjask.
6 In the Game — Delibird
Delibird is one of a few Pokémon that has been locked to events, specifically the holiday season. First released in December 2017, Delibird leaves after the new year comes and doesn't return until late December every year. In the second year that Delibird came around, 2018, its shiny form came as well.
Between only spawning in a few weeks out of the year and being far from the most common holiday spawn, Delibird's shiny has not been caught by many people. Furthermore, it's very easy to forget all about it 11.5 months out of the year.
5 Not Yet in the Game — Vulpix
One of the most beloved Pokémon of all time is Vulpix, and to an extent, its evolution, Ninetales. These two Fire-type kitsune are gorgeous and super well-designed, and as part of Generation I have been in Pokémon GO since day one.
However, Vulpix has yet to see an introduction to the game in its shiny form. Its Alolan counterpart has been available for what feels like forever. Every other Alolan form is available both shiny and in its normal form. The only exception is poor Vulpix, who didn't even win a Community Day poll.
4 In the Game — Chinchou
Initially appearing in very limited quantities with the release of Gen II, Chinchou lately only seems to appear in the random events that boost its spawn rate. Chinchou's shiny form was released as part of the Liverpool Safari Zone event in April 2020.
There was some initial confusion over whether it would be released, and then there were complaints of limited spawn rates around the world. Now, many can forget the shiny was even released. Lanturn is not super common in the battle scene and Chinchou is somewhat of a rare spawn.
3 Not Yet in the Game — Numel
Numel is one of the Pokémon that many might forget exists at all if it doesn't spawn commonly where they are. However, this Fire-type will be in the spotlight a bit more very soon with the release of Mega Evolutions, as Camerupt is capable of Mega Evolving.
Hopefully this brings the shiny form with it, as Camerupt has an amazing shiny form. However, they've held off on releasing these two as shinies thus far, not even with the announcement of a Numel Spotlight Hour in June.
2 In the Game — Ledyba
Joining the roster of in-game creatures with the release of Johto was Ledyba, back in Feburary 2017. Three years later in September, 2020, Ledyba's shiny was released as part of the Mega Battle Challenge.
Despite this only being a few days ago, there has been almost no fanfare for shiny Ledyba. To further this, almost all Pokémon GO fan conversation has been about the widely-hated Mega Evolution rollout. Poor Ledyba.
1 Not Yet in the Game — Spinarak
Ledyba has finally come to Pokémon GO, and the game has seen a few Bug-type spawn boosts for different events. It has also been very common in a few biomes around the world. Somehow, though, Ledyba's counterpart, Spinarak, is not yet available as a shiny.
Overall, Spinarak has been in the game for three years and has been anything but hard to find. Yet, the world still awaits its shiny release. It's shiny has changed drastically over the years, so those who follow these things would probably love to see it.