Pokémon Go Gives 100% Mewtwo and Master Ball as New York Event Backlash Lingers

Q: What hidden tasks must players complete to unlock this unprecedented Master Ball bundle before the September deadline?

There are no especially “hidden” or difficult tasks beyond the free anniversary Timed Research itself: players must log in during the event window, then finish the Timed Research and claim its rewards before September 6. The research, tied to Pokémon Go’s 10th anniversary celebration, runs from August 12 at 4:00 p.m. PDT until September 6 at 11:59 p.m. local time. The developer’s event notice says the bundle is unlocked through free Timed Research, not through a paid ticket or a secret quest chain. The key requirement is that both the tasks and the reward claims must be completed before the deadline. Available reporting and event trackers indicate the notable task publicly identified so far is catching 10 Pokémon. For most players, completing that step awards the Master Ball. Finishing the research line also grants Mega Mewtwo Y Energy and the encounter with the max-IV Mewtwo carrying a Special Background and the third Mega Level unlocked for Mega Mewtwo Y. There is one important exception: players who already received the special Mewtwo at the July 9 Times Square event can still do the new Timed Research, but on the “Catch 10 Pokémon” step they receive 30 Mewtwo Candy instead of another guaranteed Master Ball, and their Mewtwo encounter is not guaranteed to be perfect. So the practical answer is simple: log in now, complete the free timed tasks — including catching 10 Pokémon — and claim everything before the local September 6 cutoff.

3 articles · Updated · IGN · Aug 13

Pokémon Go has begun a surprise global giveaway of a 100% stat Mewtwo with a special background plus a Master Ball, available to claim until September 6.
Scopely Explore framed the rewards as part of the game's 10th anniversary, but players widely read them as a response to anger over last month's invite-only Times Square event.
New York attendees can claim the new rewards too, though they are not guaranteed another perfect Mewtwo because that event had already granted one — the main trigger for the backlash.
The criticism intensified because the Times Square perk arrived just before Go Fest 2026, when players were urged to spend a weekend chasing a similarly perfect Pokémon through normal play.
The Master Ball adds to the gesture's value — it was last sold as a $7.99 premium item — though some players still resent the giveaway after spending heavy time and money grinding for the same result.