"Shiny Luigi and shadow rat": Pokemon GO fans react to new McDonald's Gym collab

Niantic has partnered with McDonald’s to bring an exciting new feature to Pokemon GO players in the United States. As part of this collaboration, McDonald’s will host Sponsored PokeStops and Gyms, featuring Lure Modules attracting Pokemon from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time and five-star raids at Gyms during specific weeks, offering unique Pokémon GO gameplay opportunities.

This partnership, however, sparked a variety of reactions from the Pokemon GO community. A post on Reddit by user u/EliteFourRoger, which featured a Shiny Breloom and a shadow Alolan Rattata defending a McDonald's Gym, quickly gained traction and inspired humorous and critical discussions among fans. EliteFourRoger made everyone aware stating:

"McDonalds gyms and stops are live"

McDonalds gyms and stops are live byu/EliteFourRoger inTheSilphRoad

One Reddit user, u/Strauvius, gave the main post's Shiny Breloom and Shadow Alolan Rattata these quirky nicknames:

"Shiny Luigi and shadow rat"

This lighthearted take highlights the creativity of Pokemon GO’s community and their tendency to craft amusing narratives around in-game occurrences.

Another user, u/TheeLoo, drew a surprising connection between the Shiny Breloom and a real-life incident involving Luigi Mangione, who had a picture of Breloom on his Twitter (X.com) profile.

Comment byu/EliteFourRoger from discussion inTheSilphRoad

Although the comment ventured outside the game, it exemplifies how players tie real-world events to their GO experiences.

Not all reactions were positive. User u/Zealousideal-Use5887 expressed skepticism about the collaboration, suggesting that Niantic might be “desperate” due to McDonald's recent controversies.

A post by Redditor EliteFourRoger stirred up an interesting discussion related to current events (Image via Reddit)

Their sentiment was echoed by some who felt that the partnership’s timing was unfortunate, as u/Unique_Name_2 pointed out that these plans were likely made before the controversies arose.

u/Hidden_Moon_ chimed in with a critique of regional exclusivity, lamenting that this feature is limited to the United States.

Comment byu/EliteFourRoger from discussion inTheSilphRoad

Their frustration reflects a broader dissatisfaction among international players, who often feel excluded from region-specific events and collaborations.

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Mixed reception for Pokemon GO McDonald's Gyms

Pokemon GO adds a new layer to the game through collaborations (Image via The Pokemon Company)

The McDonald's collaboration brings an interesting dynamic to the game, offering localized incentives for players while sparking spirited discussions among fans. Although some players appreciate the creative opportunities and added gameplay, others remain critical of Niantic’s partnerships and regional restrictions.

As the collaboration unfolds, it will be intriguing to see how Trainers engage with these Sponsored Gyms and whether such initiatives can help bridge the gap between Niantic and its diverse global community.

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