Pokémon Sword and Shield: Release date, trailers, & announcements

It's been a long time coming and us Pokémon fans have been rewarded for our patience (or lack thereof) with some insights into Generation 8! Try to contain your excitement, because it looks like what we've all been wanting.

Latest news

August 7, 2019: New Galarian forms, additional rivals, and Poké Jobs revealed

A new video revealed that some Pokemon will have Galarian forms in Sword and Shield, similar to Alolan forms from Sun and Moon. The main antagonists will be Team Yell, a group of fans, which you'll encounter throughout the game. Finally, players will be able to view job boards and send their Pokémon off to complete tasks. In exchange, Pokémon will earn experience points.

June 11, 2019: New information from E3 - Only certain Pokémon can be transferred into Sword and Shield | Fighting wild Pokémon is back!

During Nintendo Treehouse livestream, Junichi Masuda stated via interpreter that you'll only be able to transfer a Pokémon into Sword and Shield if it is in the Galar region Pokédex. We were also told that while exploring the Galar region, players will be able to fight wild Pokémon, this element of the game was missing from the last Pokémon Switch games, so we're happy to see it has returned.

June 5, 2019: Nintendo Direct presentation reveals mutliplayer co-op raids, new Pokémon, Legendaries, Dynamax battles, and more

During the 15-minute Nintendo Direct presentation on Wednesday, we got a lot of new info on the upcoming Sword and Shield. We saw how Pokémon battles will work in the Galar region and also got a peak at some new monsters. Additionally we were introduced to Dynamax battles and a new co-op raid mode, which makes the new titles similar in some respects to Pokémon Go. Here's everything we know so far:

What are Pokémon Sword and Shield?

After teasing a proper, mainline Pokémon RPG last year, Game Freak has finally revealed Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. Unlike Pokémon Let's Go, which took cues from the mobile game Pokémon GO and streamlined the experience to be more accessible for everyone, Sword and Shield appear to be your more traditional Pokémon games that you've grown to love.

New Pokémon, new gym battles, new cities, and new challenges await. If it's anything like previous titles, you can probably expect a new team of villains as well.

What region do they take place in?

Generation 8 takes place in the entirely new Galar Region, which appears to be based on England. As the Pokémon Company states, this region is "filled with idyllic countryside and contemporary cities—vast plains and snow-covered mountains."

We don't know the names of any major cities or towns yet, but the region map that Game Freak revealed in the trailer gives us a lot to look forward to. According to Game Director Shigeru Ohmori, Pokémon and Galar's citizens work together closely to develop the region's industries.

What starters can I choose from?

Game Freak revealed all three starter Pokémon that players can choose from in Sword and Shield. As seen above, they are Grookey, the chimp Pokémon; Scorbunny, the rabbit Pokémon; and Sobble, the water lizard Pokémon.

They're not ugly! We'll have to wait and see their evolutions, but for now we get this cute trio to enjoy. Maybe we won't have a Popplio situation this time, the poor ugly duckling.

Can I catch Pokémon from other regions?

Pokémon Sword and Shield's Pokédex hasn't been revealed just yet, but going from the trailer players will be able to catch Pokémon from others regions. A random encounter with a Pikachu was shown at one point along with Generation 2 and 3 Pokémon like Wailmer, Flygon, Hoothoot, Tyranitar, and a whole lot more.

Which Pokémon can I transfer into Sword and Shield?

During the 2019 Pokémon Press Conference we learned that Sword and Shield will work with Pokémon Home, a cloud service that allows you to store and trade Pokémon. We a got a little more information about this feature at E3 and it isn't good. According to Junichi Masuda of Game Freak, only Pokémon that are specifically in the Galar region Pokédex can get transferred into the new Switch games. This means that some of your favorite creatures that you've captured in previous games won't be usable in Gen 8.

For more information on which Pokémon you can use in Sword and Shield, check out our article on Pokemon Home.

How will Pokémon encounters work?

As in previous Pokémon games, players will come across monsters in tall grass and caves when wandering about in the world. The Pokémon you encounter will be random, but you'll be able to tell that a creature is nearby when you see an exclamation point icon on screen. The ability to fight wild Pokémon is back! This battle element of the games was missing from Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, so we're happy to see that it's still a feature in the newest core games.

The Wild Area: In a sprawling section of the Galar region, the Pokemon you encounter will be determined by in-game weather and your location on the map. Pokemon in this section wander freely and you can attract them by whistling, which will be especially helpful for attracting high-flying creatures.

Can I customize my character?

There are eight different characters to choose from — four boys and four girls. At some point in the game, it looks like you'll be able to get different outfits and accessories to customize the look of your character, but you'll start out with one of the eight stock looks. We hope there are plenty of options to help each character look unique.

What is Dynamax in Sword and Shield?

The Nintendo Direct presentation on June 5 revealed a new way to battle that involves making your Pokémon huge and more powerful. Players will only be able to use this ability once per battle and the Pokemon will only remain in its Dynamax form for three consecutive turns before returning to normal. Dynamaxing can be done during gym battles, raids, and trainer battles. According to the presentation, you'll need to master Dynamaxing if you want to become a full-fledged trainer.

What's this I hear about a new multiplayer raid mode?

With Gen 8 comes Max Raid Battles, which let you and up to three others battle a giant, wild Dynamax Pokémon together. You'll be able to play with nearby friends using local wireless play as long as they each have their own copy of the game and their own console. You can also participate in raids with other online players as long as you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

You'll need to strategize with your fellow raiders since only one of you will be able to use the Dynamax form on your Pokémon. Max Raid Battles take place in the Wild Area, a large section of the map that stretches between towns.

What are Galarian forms?

Similar to the Alolan forms found in Pokémon Sun and Moon, players will encounter Pokémon that look different in the Galar region. We've gotten a brief glimpse at a dapper Galarian Weezing who gives off a Victorian vibe with his top hat-like chimney stacks. We've also seen a Galarian Zigzagoon and Galarian Linoone variant that give off a strong Kiss vibe. What's more, in the Galar region you might find unique evolutions that aren't available elsewhere. For example the Obstagoon that evolves from Galarian Linoone.

Who are the team antagonists?

If you're at all familiar with previous Pokémon games you know that there's always an opposing group of people that the main character encounters throughout their journey. So far, we know that a goth-looking Marnie has some crazy fans known as Team Yell who disrupt battles and cause general trouble for the inhabitants of the Galar region.

What are Poké Jobs?

By accessing the Rotomi, in Pokémon Centers players will be able to send their Pokémon off to complete jobs for businesses and universities. In return, your Pokémon can earn experience and rare items. Some pocket monsters are better suited for specific jobs so you'll want to think about which ones you send. This seems like it will be a great way to help level up Pokémon that aren't currently in your party.

What differences will there be between the two versions?

We don't know all the differences between the two versions yet, but you can likely expect each to have their own handful of exclusive Pokémon that can only be caught in either Sword or Shield. We do know that those who purchase Sword will be able to encounter the legendary Pokémon Zacian, while those who buy Shield will meet Zamazenta.

When can I play them?

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield will be releasing for the Nintendo Switch worldwide November 15, 2019. They're currently available for pre-order at Amazon.

August 7, 2019: Added update regarding information revealed during E3.

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