Pokémon Sun and Moon

Pokémon Sun and Moon
Developer	Game Freak
Publisher	The Pokémon Company Nintendo
System	Nintendo 3DS
Release Date	November 18, 2016 EU November 23, 2016
Rating	ESRB: E

Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are a pair of role-playing games that were released for the Nintendo 3DS in November 2016. They act as the first installments of the seventh generation of the Pokémon series and are notable for changing up the formula of the Pokémon games.

Story

The generation is set in the island-based Alola region, which is based on Hawaii. The protagonist has just moved to the area from Kanto with their mom and is given the opportunity to receive one of three starter Pokémon (Rowlet, Litten and Popplio) from Professor Kukui. Afterwards, the trainer embarks on a journey to take on the trials that were held at various islands of the region. Along the way, they must clash with a group of troublemakers known as Team Skull. The trainer also comes into contact with the mysterious and dangerous Ultra Beasts and a group that studies them, known as the Aether Foundation.

Gameplay

The gameplay follows the basic gameplay in that the game involves capturing, training and battling Pokémon. These versions also involve various changes to the general gameplay. One addition is a type of special move known as a Z-Move, which a Pokémon can only perform once per battle. One big departure from the standard formula is that the game involves completing island trials run by Kahunas rather than gyms run by gym leaders. The presence of Ultra Beasts, Pokémon from other dimensions, also comes with a new type of sidequest designed around confronting and possibly capturing them. The player also has a unique type of Pokédex that is possessed by a Rotom.

In addition to adding new Pokémon, these games also feature new forms of several first generation Pokémon, which are known as their Alola Forms. These Alola Forms have different appearances and abilities, and in some cases they even have different elemental typing. Some extra gameplay elements include the Poké Finder, which allows players to take pictures of wild Pokémon; Pokémon Refresh, where players can care for Pokémon; and the Battle Tree, where players can compete against other trainers and possibly team up with other trainers. These games also feature some elements from the previous generation, such as Mega Evolution and the option to customize the player character.

Like the past few Pokémon generations, Sun and Moon allows individual players to connect together locally or online to trade or battle Pokémon. These games also featured Global Missions, in which players around the world could work together towards one large collective goal, such as collecting 100 million Pokémon.

The difference between Sun and Moon is similar to the difference between past Pokémon versions, as there are Pokémon that are exclusive to each version. The versions are also notable for featuring a time difference, reflecting the title's connections to the Sun and the moon; Pokémon Sun matches the time of the 3DS's internal clock, while Pokémon Moon is 12 hours ahead.

Connectivity

In addition to being compatible with each other, Sun and Moon also gained connectivity with the Pokémon Bank in January 2017. Through the Pokémon Bank, Pokémon could be transferred from the past 3DS games as well as the Virtual Console releases of the first generation games.

Legacy

Ports/Remakes

Two alternate versions of the game, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, were released in 2017. This was the first time that a generation received a pair of alternate versions. This set also notably altered more than most alternate versions usually did, featuring an alternate storyline and different gameplay features.

Sequels

The next set of Pokémon games would be Let's Go Eevee! and Let's Go, Pikachu! for the Nintendo Switch in 2018. The next generation would eventually start in 2019 on the Switch with Sword and Shield.