Cosplay Pikachu: How to get, all costume forms, and all you need to know

Throughout the Pokemon franchise, there have been many iterations of its iconic mascot, Pikachu. However, the most unique of them all has to be Cosplay Pikachu. Debuting in Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, this special variant of Pikachu was a way to incentivize players to give the returning Contest Hall feature a try.

However, not much is known about this special variant of the monster, given that it was only in one game that came out almost ten years ago as of writing. While Cosplay Pikachu has yet to make a comeback, we know everything there is to know about this special critter as of the ninth generation.

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How to get Cosplay Pikachu?

Cosplay Pikachu was only available in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Cosplay Pikachu is only available in Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire for the Nintendo 3DS. Players will need to compete in a Super Contest at Slateport City after watching a small cutscene marking the facility's opening. This should be fairly easy to do, as the game provides a helpful tutorial for understanding how Super Contests are judged.

After completing their first Contest, players should notice a Breeder NPC in the lobby. Upon talking to this NPC, they will mention that they have a Pikachu who loves to dress up in costumes and perform in contests. They will then offer to give the player Cosplay Pikachu for free. Interacting with this NPC further will allow the player to change Pikachu's costume.

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All costume forms for Cosplay Pikachu

Here are the differences between each of Cosplay Pikachu's costumes, as well as the contest category they are best used for:

• Pikachu Rock Star - Gains Meteor Mash, best used for Cool Contests
• Pikachu Pop Star - Gains Draining Kiss, best used for Cute Contests
• Pikachu Belle - Gains Icicle Crash, best used for Beauty Contests
• Pikachu Libre - Gains Flying Press, best used for Tough Contests
• Pikachu, Ph.D - Gains Electric Terrain, best used for Smart Contests

After obtaining Cosplay Pikachu, the NPC will be transferred to the dressing room of the Contest Hall. Interacting with the NPC again will bring up a menu where players can select which costume they would like Cosplay Pikachu to put on.

As for the special move, Cosplay Pikachu learns with each costume, it is replaced automatically when equipping a new costume.

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Can Cosplay Pikachu be traded or transferred?

Being a special creature with features tied to a specific game in the franchise, Cosplay Pikachu cannot be traded to another player, nor can it be transferred to another game. Since every player in Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire can get one of these Pikachus for free anyway, they should not need to trade one to another save file, or another player.

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Is Cosplay Pikachu available in Pokemon GO?

Cosplay Pikachu itself is not available in Pokemon GO. However, the various costumes it can equip can be found in the mobile game as special variants, except Pikachu Belle, which has yet to be available as of writing.

The Pop Star and Rock Star costumes are no longer available, as they were exclusive to a rendition of the yearly GO Fest celebration that has long passed. Pikachu Libre can be found after reaching Legend rank in the Battle League, and Pikachu, Ph.D can be found after winning 100 Pokestop Showcases.

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To learn more about Pikachu in the Pokemon franchise, check out our other articles:

• How to get 2024 World Championships Pikachu in Pokemon GO, and can it be shiny?
• How to get Worlds 2024 Celebratory Pikachu promo card
• 5 best Pikachu episodes from Pokemon anime