Scopely's celebration of Pokémon Go's milestone included a promotional stunt where a special Mewtwo appeared in Times Square, accessible only to influencers and press who completed a raid. Those attendees obtained flawless Pokémon with a unique background variant; regular players who later participated in their own raids could not achieve these same attributes. The limited availability created a tiered experience that many felt contradicted the game's original appeal as an inclusive, community-driven phenomenon.

In the aftermath, secondary markets have emerged where attendees are trading their exclusive Mewtwos for substantial sums, with premium variants commanding prices between $500 and $5,000 on eBay. The scarcity—fewer than 2,300 known examples—has established this as a valuable commodity compared to standard event releases. For players who viewed the anniversary celebration as a community moment, watching privileged participants monetise their exclusive access has reinforced perceptions that the developer prioritises influencer marketing and monetisation over the cooperative values that drove the game's initial success.