'Pokémon Go' Legendary Birds: Could Ho-Oh be released before Moltres, Articuno and Zapdos?

The Legendary Birds, three of the final Pokémon in the Gen 1 Pokédex, still haven't made it into Pokémon Go. At this rate, we might wind up getting some other famous bird-type Pokémon from the Gen 2 games before we get to the original trio of Articuno, Moltres and Zapdos.

Niantic has already started adding Gen 2 creatures, specifically baby Pokémon, to Pokémon Go. That means the developer has failed to complete the original 151-Pokémon Gen 1 list before moving on to the second generation. Mew and Mewtwo loom large among the missing Pokémon, but the Legendary Birds are just as significant to long-term fans. Unfortunately, there's been no sign that we'll see them anytime soon in Pokémon Go.

Pokémon Go Legendary Birds: Who is the Pokémon named Ho-Oh?

Ho-Oh may be a rare bird-type Pokémon, but it's not strictly a "Legendary Bird." That phrase only applies to three Gen 1 Pokémon: Articuno, Moltres and Zapdos, who premiered in Pokémon Red and Blue. Ho-Oh did not appear in the Pokémon games until Pokémon Gold and Silver, serving as the mascot for Pokémon Gold.

Pokémon Go Legendary Birds: Could Ho-Oh arrive before Articuno, Moltres and Zapdos?

If Ho-Oh arrives in the game before the Legendary Birds, it may not be a good omen for Niantic. The move would only emphasize how seemingly disorganized Pokémon Go's feature rollout has been, and it could anger even the most devoted players. Given the game's history, that's definitely possible. Then again, some players may simply be happy to have any legendary Pokémon in the game at all, regardless of which generation it comes from.

More Pokémon Go guides, tips, tricks and updates

Check out Mic's Pokémon Go tips and tricks. Here are guides on how to get stardust, how to determine how long it will take you to reach level 40, the kind of Pokémon you get from 10km eggs, how to create new PokéStops, how to maximize your chances of catching Pokémon and how PokéStops distribute Pokémon eggs. Also check out how to catch Gen 2 baby Pokémon, our analysis of post-balance update Chansey and Rhydon and everything you need to know about finding the long-awaited Pokémon Ditto.