Getting to know Spinda outside of Pokémon GO

Part of the fun of the main series Pokemon games is the tradition of each species, which Pokémon GO recreates it with short descriptions in their Pokédex entries. However, examining the roles these Pokémon play in other games, and even the anime, can enrich the experience of hunting these creatures in Niantic’s mobile game. In honor of her very first raiding feature during the Hoenn Celebration event, let’s take a look at Spinda’s lore.

Dex entry number 327, Spinda is a pure species of the normal type from the Hoenn region, introduced into the world of Pokemon with the third generation. This Pokemon can be encountered as either male or female and has no noticeable gender difference. Called “Spot Panda Pokémon”, here’s what the entry from Spinda’s Dex says:

It is said that all the Spinda that exists in the world have very unique spot patterns. This Pokémon’s shaky, staggering steps make it appear to be dancing.

This is not entirely true of his role in Pokémon GO. In the mobile version of Pokémon from Niantic, the different models of Spinda are numbered, with trainers able to unlock Spinda 1, 2, etc. In the main series games this is not the case at all, with the game seeking to match the Dex entry as closely as possible. In the games of the main series, it has been determined that the odds of two Spindas having the same model are one in more than 4 million. While another entry from Dex suggests it’s 4 billion rather than millions, the million is more specific.

For fans of the anime, Spinda gets his own episode of focus when he debuts in Go for a Spinda. This episode features the “broken heart” model Spinda, who was featured in a Pokémon GO Event. This species doesn’t have as many appearances as most, with only one major feature then cameos in a handful of episodes.

Other Pokédex entries offer new information about Spinda:

• Sapphire: No Spinda would have identical spot patterns on their skins. This Pokémon moves in a curious way as if it were stumbling in vertigo. His hesitant movements can confuse the opponent.
• Y: The odds of two Spinda having identical stitch patterns are less than one in four billion.