If you’re still playing Omega Ruby in 2026, you’re probably chasing that hit of Hoenn nostalgia or trying to finish a living dex without relying on the GTS—which, let's be honest, is a ghost town of hacked shinies. Most people think getting "gift" Pokemon is just about talking to Professor Birch at the start of the game. That’s barely scratching the surface.
There are actually over a dozen specific omega ruby gift pokemon hidden behind post-game triggers, contest halls, and weirdly specific NPC interactions that most casual players totally skip.
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The Mystery Gift Problem
Let's clear the air first. If you’re looking for that Shiny Beldum with the Metagrossite or the 20th Anniversary Celebi, you’re about a decade too late. Official Nintendo Network distributions for the 3DS era are dead. You can't just hit "Get via Internet" and expect a Hoopa to show up.
Unless you're messing with custom firmware or DNS exploits—which is a whole different rabbit hole—you are limited to the "in-game" gifts. The good news? There are way more of those than you remember.
The Starters You Didn't Know You Could Get
Most players pick their Mudkip (the only correct choice, don't @ me), beat the Elite Four, and call it a day. But Professor Birch is a magnet for trouble. He gets "attacked" by mundane things three more times, and each time, he gives you a starter from another region.
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- The Johto Starters: After you beat the Elite Four the first time and the credits roll, go back to Route 101. Birch is being chased by a Shroomish. Save him, and he’ll let you pick Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile.
- The Unova Starters: This one is locked behind the Delta Episode. Once you’ve dealt with Deoxys and Rayquaza, Birch gets chased by a Machoke. Now you get Snivy, Tepig, or Oshawott.
- The Sinnoh Starters: You have to beat the Elite Four a second time (the rematch with their higher-level teams). This time, Birch is being "attacked" by his own wife. It's a weird joke, but the reward is Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup.
Basically, you can walk away with a full PC box of starters just by being the neighborhood hero.
The "Free" Legendaries (Sort Of)
We have to talk about Latios and Latias. In the original Ruby and Sapphire, catching these was a nightmare of RNG and Mean Look. In Omega Ruby, Latios just... joins you.
Around the midpoint of the story, Steven Stone takes you to Southern Island. You fight a couple of Team Magma grunts, and Latios joins your party automatically. No Poke Ball required. He even comes holding his Mega Stone. It feels a bit like a handout, honestly, but it makes the mid-game much easier.
The Weird NPC Handouts
There are a handful of Pokemon you just "get" for talking to the right person.
Cosplay Pikachu
This is the one everyone forgets. After you do your first Pokemon Contest in Slateport, an NPC gives you a Pikachu with a black heart on its tail. It’s the only Pikachu that can swap outfits to learn moves like Meteor Mash or Icicle Crash.
The Mossdeep Beldum
Since the 2014 Shiny Beldum event is long gone, this is your only way to get Steven’s signature Pokemon. After the Delta Episode, go to Steven’s house in Mossdeep City. He’s not there, but he left a note and a Poke Ball on the table. It’s a Level 5 Beldum.
The Weather Institute Castform
After you clear Team Magma out of the Weather Institute on Route 119, the head scientist just gives you a Castform. It’s a bit of a gimmick Mon, but it’s a free entry for the Pokedex.
The Fossil Restoration
Technically, fossils are items, but since you get them for free in the desert (Route 111), they’re basically gift Pokemon. You have to choose between the Root Fossil (Lileep) and the Claw Fossil (Anorith). Take it to the Devon Corporation in Rustboro, and the scientist on the second floor will bring it back to life.
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Eggs and "Romeo and Juliet"
There are two eggs you can pick up in Lavaridge Town. Talk to the old lady near the hot springs. The first egg is a Wynaut, which is cool because it's the only way to get one without breeding a Wobbuffet holding Lax Incense.
Later, after you deal with Primal Groudon, talk to her again. She’ll give you a Togepi egg. This was a neat nod to the Johto games that most people missed because they stopped visiting Lavaridge after getting the fourth badge.
Then there's the Battle Resort. If you go to the house east of the Battle Maison, you'll find a Team Aqua grunt and a Team Magma grunt living together. It’s a whole "forbidden love" thing. Come back later, and they’ll give you a Sharpedo and a Camerupt. Both are Level 40 and ready for the Battle Maison.
Actionable Next Steps
If you want to collect every omega ruby gift pokemon available right now, follow this checklist:
- Go to Mossdeep City: Enter Steven’s house post-Delta Episode for your Beldum.
- Check Route 101: If you’ve beaten the E4 or the Delta Episode, go trigger the Birch "attack" cutscenes.
- Visit the Battle Resort: Talk to the ex-grunts for your free Sharpedo and Camerupt.
- Backtrack to Lavaridge: Talk to the hot springs lady twice to make sure you didn't miss the Togepi egg.
Don't bother looking for Mystery Gift codes; they've all expired. Your best bet for anything else is local trading or using the Poke Transporter if you have a copy of the older DS games.