Step into the mystery with Pokémon GO’s thrilling “Detective Pikachu Returns” event, where trainers embark on a unique choose-your-path Timed Research quest filled with exclusive encounters, including the elusive Detective Hat Pikachu and a debuting Slowpoke in a stylish hat. Unravel clues, complete challenges, and catch rare Pokémon as you celebrate the release of Detective Pikachu Returns on Nintendo Switch-your detective adventure awaits!
You’ll get doubled XP from spinning PokéStops during this event, which seems to be the main focus here. There’s also a Timed Research Task set, which requires you to correctly guess which Pokémon Professor Willow is describing.
We list out all the perks, including the correct answer for the “Detective Pikachu Returns” Timed Research, below.
Pokémon Go ’Detective Pikachu Returns’ Timed Researchand choose a path outcome
The Pokémon Go “Detective Pikachu Returns” Timed Research event features a two-step quest where players complete various Field Research tasks to encounter Detective Pikachu. After finishing the first step, Professor Willow presents a riddle describing one of three Pokémon: Snivy, Rowlet, or Sudowoodo. Players must choose the correct Pokémon to determine their path outcome. The correct answer is Sudowoodo, which unlocks an additional Detective Pikachu encounter and better rewards. Choosing Snivy or Rowlet results in a lesser reward of 25 XP. This choice is crucial as it affects the ultimate prize of the event, so players should select Sudowoodo to maximize their rewards.
Step 1 of 2
- Spin 5 PokéStops or gyms (Pikachu [Detective] encounter)
- Complete 3 Field Research tasks (Pikachu [Detective] encounter)
- Complete 6 Field Research tasks (Pikachu [Detective] encounter)
- Explore 1 km (Pikachu [Detective] encounter)
- Earn a candy exploring with your buddy (Pikachu [Detective] encounter)
Rewards: 1,500 XP, 1,500 Stardust
You will then be prompted with a choice, but it’s not the same thing we usually see with branched paths. You’re solving a puzzle and the answer is either Snivy, Rowlet, or Sudowoodo. No matter which answer you pick, the step two task will be the same, but only the correct answer will reward you with an extra Pikachu (Detective) encounter. If you select the wrong answer, you’ll get 25 XP instead. You do not get a Snivy, Rowlet, or Sudowoodo from selecting them. You can see the correct answer if you scroll past the next image. (Don’t scroll if you don’t want spoilers or if you want to guess on your own!)

The “Detective Pikachu Returns” Timed Research correct answer is Sudowoodo.
Step 2 of 2
- Spin a PokéStop or gym (Pikachu [Detective] encounter)
Rewards: 25 XP
Pokémon Go ’Detective Pikachu Returns’ Collection Challenge
The Pokémon Go ’Detective Pikachu Returns’ Collection Challenge requires players to catch three specific Pokémon: Sudowoodo, Snivy, and Rowlet. These Pokémon are obtained by completing event-exclusive Field Research tasks such as catching certain types of Pokémon or taking snapshots. Successfully completing the Collection Challenge rewards players with 1,000 Stardust and contributes towards the Elite Collector Medal. The challenge is available only until October 9, 2023, at 8 PM local time, after which it will no longer be accessible.
Catch the following to finish the Collection Challenge:
- Snivy
- Rowlet
- Sudowoodo
Reward: 1,000 Stardust
Pokémon Go ’Detective Pikachu Returns’ event Field Research and rewards
The Pokémon Go “Detective Pikachu Returns” event features special Field Research tasks that players can complete to earn encounters with event-themed Pokémon. Tasks include catching a Grass-type Pokémon, a Pokémon with Weather Boost, a Flying-type Pokémon, a Water-type Pokémon, a Psychic-type Pokémon, and taking snapshots of wild Water-type Pokémon. Completing these tasks rewards encounters with Pokémon like Sudowoodo, Snivy, and Rowlet, some of which can appear shiny. Additionally, the event includes a Timed Research quest where players assist Professor Willow in identifying a “Pokémon of interest.” Correctly choosing Sudowoodo based on clues grants an extra encounter with Detective Pikachu wearing a detective hat, with a chance for it to be shiny. The event runs from October 5 to October 9, 2023, and completing the Field Research and Timed Research tasks also contributes to an event Collection Challenge rewarding Stardust.
Spinning PokéStops during the event period may give you one of these event Field Research tasks:
- Catch a Pokémon with weather boost (Sudowoodo encounter)
- Catch a flying-type Pokémon (Snivy encounter)
- Catch a grass-type Pokémon (Sudowoodo encounter)
- Catch a psychic-type Pokémon (Rowlet encounter)
- Catch a water-type Pokémon (Rowlet encounter)
- Take a snapshot of a wild water-type Pokémon (Snivy encounter)

Pokémon Go ’Detective Pikachu Returns’ event boosted spawns
The Pokémon Go “Detective Pikachu Returns” event featured boosted spawns of 13 Pokémon, including a special Pikachu wearing a detective hat and a Slowpoke wearing a hat, to celebrate the release of the Detective Pikachu Returns game on Nintendo Switch. Other boosted spawns included Growlithe, Alolan Exeggutor, Magikarp, Xatu, Bellossom, Lotad, Chimecho, Bronzor, Ducklett, Cutiefly, and Falinks. Players could also encounter shiny variants of several of these Pokémon and complete themed Field Research tasks and Timed Research quests during the event, which ran from October 5 to October 9, 2023. Additionally, evolving the detective hat-wearing Pikachu would yield a Raichu with the same hat, adding to the event’s unique offerings.
- Pikachu (Detective)
- Growlithe
- Slowpoke (cowboy hat)
- Alolan Exeggutor
- Magikarp
- Xatu
- Bellossom
- Lotad
- Chimecho
- Bronzor
- Ducklett
- Cutiefly
- Falinks
How can I navigate the choose-your-path steps in Detective Pikachu Returns quest
To navigate the choose-your-path steps in the Pokémon GO “Detective Pikachu Returns” quest, follow these key actions:
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Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms to encounter Detective Hat Pikachu.
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Complete 3 Field Research tasks to trigger another Detective Hat Pikachu encounter.
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Progress through the Timed Research by completing tasks that may include catching specific Pokémon or battling in raids, depending on your chosen path.
For the related Detective Pikachu Returns game on Nintendo Switch, progressing involves solving puzzles and sneaking past Pokémon like Darmanitan by timing your movements behind cover, then interacting with objects and characters to advance the story, such as rescuing Professor Gordon by feeding Darmanitan Slowpoke’s Tail and clearing rubble.
In summary, in Pokémon GO, focus on spinning stops, completing field research, and choosing your quest path carefully, while in the main game, follow stealth and puzzle-solving steps to proceed through the story.
What are the specific choices that lead to different outcomes in the detective quest
The specific choices that lead to different outcomes in detective quests generally involve key decision points such as whom to trust, which leads to follow, and how to handle critical information. For example, in investigative quests like “I Fought the Law” in Cyberpunk 2077, choices such as whether to tell certain characters everything, confront allies about cover-ups, or investigate hidden evidence can significantly alter the story’s direction and the information you uncover.
Although the search results do not provide exact branching choices for the “Detective Pikachu Returns” quest in Pokémon GO or the related game, detective quests typically offer paths where you choose which clues to pursue or which characters to engage with, leading to different encounters or story developments. In similar detective-themed games, choices about how to approach suspects or solve puzzles can result in multiple endings or varied outcomes.
In summary, the different outcomes in detective quests arise from decisions on whom to trust, what evidence to follow, and how to resolve conflicts, which shape the narrative and rewards. For “Detective Pikachu Returns,” expect choices that influence which Pokémon you encounter and the story progression based on your selected path.
