Pokémon Go is once again stirring conversation in its community with the launch of its priciest in-game pass yet – the GO Pass Deluxe: Ancients Recovered – priced at $19.99 and featuring the long-anticipated Gold Bottle Cap, a rare item capable of maxing out a Pokémon’s stats to a perfect 100%. 
While the allure of creating a ‘hundo’ Pokémon is undeniable, the item’s introduction raises concerns about a potential shift toward pay-to-win dynamics.
This premium event pass, available from June 23 to June 29, not only marks the debut of overlapping events in Pokémon Go but also introduces the first ever Gold Bottle Cap – exclusive to the paid Deluxe version. Players opting for the free version will still get a Regi Legendary encounter, three costumed Pikachu, and other items, but won’t gain access to the stat-boosting item.
For those willing to buy through the Pokémon Go Web Store (to sidestep platform fees), additional bonuses await: 10 Max Revives, 10 Max Potions, Premium Battle Passes, Max Particle Packs, a Max Mushroom, and more. A further enhanced version, the Deluxe + 10 Ranks bundle, offers an instant tier unlock and bonus Incubators.
The Gold Bottle Cap allows access to Hyper Training, a new system that demands real gameplay effort. Attack is improved through battles with your Buddy, Defense by bonding and playing together, and HP by walking, spinning PokéStops, and collecting Buddy Candy. According to game director Michael Steranka, the feature is designed to maintain game balance. “It’s not a simple pay-to-power-up system,” he emphasized during Go Fest 2025 in Paris. “We’ve been extremely careful to ensure Bottle Caps remain rare and meaningful.”
The rollout of Gold Bottle Caps has been anticipated since dataminers uncovered hints in the game’s code. Although many fans feared it would tip the game’s economy, Steranka reassured players that the item’s extreme rarity would keep the game fair. In fact, the frequency of Gold Bottle Cap availability hasn’t been finalized, but the team says they’ll be “among the rarest items in the game.”
Compared to other rare items like the Master Ball, which has only appeared a few times, the Gold Bottle Cap seems poised to follow a similar path. While some players hoped for weaker or free versions, Steranka confirmed only the full-powered version will be available for now.
The update arrives during a transformative year for Pokémon Go, now under the umbrella of Scopely – the makers of Monopoly Go – following their $3.5 billion acquisition of Niantic’s gaming portfolio. As Pokémon Go steps deeper into monetization while striving to preserve gameplay integrity, the community watches closely to see whether this bold move will elevate or imbalance the game.