Nintendo continues its monthly release of free Mythical Pokemon, and June's release is a Water-type to help aspiring trainers through the hot summer months.

When Nintendo decides to celebrate a franchise, it really does make the festivities all about the fans who helped it become a video game community fixture. While Pokemon is still in the midst of its 20th anniversary year-long party, Nintendo has helped make the entertainment even more lively by offering a free Mythical Pokemon to gamers every month to help commemorate the event.

Nintendo even kicked things off with what many would've considered the most desirable Mythical Pokemon immediately, allowing fans to download a free Mew in the month of January. For June, however, the minds behind Pokemon decided to give gamers a critter that, if it was real, would be a great help to those experiencing their first real heat waves of summer in the Western hemisphere. For one month only, Pokemon trainers can snag themselves a free Manaphy.

Manaphy might not be the most renowned of Mythical Pokemon or even the most intimidating, but the cute, sprite-like Water-type still packs a punch. This month's free level 100 Manaphy comes equipped with the Hydration ability alongside Tail Glow Water Sport, and Bubble moves. Sure, Manaphy is no Rowlet, the greatest Pokemon ever created, but it will certainly find a place in some gamers' lineups over the coming year.

To download Manaphy, simply boot up a copy of Pokemon X/Y or Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire, select the Receive Gift option from the main menu, and choose to acquire said gift through an Internet connection. After a series of in-game prompts, gamers will be able to pick up Manaphy from any Pokemon Center within their respective game.

Of course, there's a lot going on in the world of Pokemon outside of the monthly giveaways. Pokemon GO has just started its field testing in the United States as the alternate reality game starring Pikachu inches ever-closer to completion, and the hype around Pokemon Sun/Moon has even the most hardened gamers' softening their hearts in anticipation of embracing the "gotta catch 'em all" mentality once more.

Given how much news has emerged regarding Pokemon lately, it seems likely that gamers might have forgotten they are entitled to some free Mythical Pokemon this month. With that in mind, consider this article a reminder to download Manaphy immediately.

Have you been taking advantage of Nintendo's monthly free Pokemon offer? Are you interested in Sun/Moon alone, and won't bother with anything else until its release? Let us know in the comments below.

Pokemon X/Y and Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire are available for Nintendo 3DS.

Source: Pokemon 20th (via Gamespot)