Pokemon GO players have a lot to celebrate today, because developer Niantic has announced that several new Gen 3 Pokemon (Dragon and Flying-types) are being added to the game. The update doesn't just include common, garden-variety pocket monsters, though. Trainers can also expect a new limited time raid boss to be made available too.

Niantic has confirmed that starting from February 9, Pokemon GO players will be able to catch the legendary Pokemon Rayquaza. Rayquaza is a Dragon and Flying-type Pokemon that was the mascot legendary character for Pokemon Emerald (the last game in Gen 3 and a sibling game to Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire). The character will be available as a raid boss for a limited time, explains the developer, and players will be able to catch Rayquaza until March 16.

Meanwhile, the Water-type legendary Pokemon Kyogre will leave on February 14. Niantic also says that players should expect "different Pokemon in Raid Battles at your nearby Gym, and from hatched Eggs," giving players even more of an incentive to participate in raids.

Moreover, Niantic confirms that special boxes will be available from the in-game store until February 23. These boxes will include raid passes, incubators, and star pieces, which is useful to those planning to take on these Kyogre and Rayquaza raids and for those are looking forward to all of the egg rewards that they can hatch.

The arrival of Rayquaza and the other Dragon and Flying-type Gen 3s follows several months of other Gen 3 updates. Niantic has also introduced more Water-type Pokemon (that update included the aforementioned legendary Kyogre) as well as several Rock and Ground-type Gen 3 characters. This steady progression through the list means that players have been given a constant release of new characters to collect.

In the past, Pokemon GO players have complained that the game isn't updated enough, that major releases are too infrequent and just don't satisfy their Pokemon GO itches. But few could accuse the game of that now, and Niantic does appear to be doing its best to provide big updates at regular intervals (the dynamic weather system update is another example).

Pokemon GO isn't a perfect game and the ongoing controversy surrounding EX Raid battles is another pain point for players. However, the rate at which that these Gen 3 characters are being released should inspire some faith in the game and fans will be hoping that Niantic can keep this up.

Pokemon GO is available on Android and iOS devices.