Pokémon GO’s Gigantamax Snorlax event hits a snag, Niantic apologizes and extends event

What was meant to be an exciting day for Pokémon GO trainers worldwide turned into a frustrating experience, as the much-awaited Gigantamax Snorlax Max Battle Day on April 19, 2025, was marred by technical glitches.

The special event, which ran from 2 PM to 5 PM local time, was supposed to feature exclusive in-person raid battles with the colossal Gigantamax Snorlax at selected Power Spots. However, soon after the event kicked off, trainers started reporting a slew of issues — from missing raids to login troubles and uncatchable Snorlax encounters. In many regions, no Snorlax appeared at all, leaving players disappointed after gearing up for the battles.

Adding to the chaos, even when raids did appear, many players complained that the catch circle was glitched, making it nearly impossible to capture the rare Gigantamax Snorlax, especially for those who had spent time, effort, and even money to participate.

The backlash was particularly strong from premium ticket holders, who felt shortchanged after investing in the special experience.

Niantic Responds

In response to the widespread issues, Niantic issued a formal apology and announced an extension of the event as compensation. While this move has been welcomed by some, many in the community are still questioning if it’s enough to make up for the disrupted experience.

With over 30+ battles reported by players on livestreams and YouTube — some even managing to catch shiny variants despite the technical hiccups — the day proved to be a mixed bag for the Pokémon GO community.

As the game’s developer works to smooth things over, trainers worldwide hope future events will deliver on their promises without glitches.