10 new things to enjoy in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon
31/10/2017
Your next big adventure awaits in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, arriving on November 17th on Nintendo 3DS family systems. This definitive adventure in the Alola region is full of fresh content, new Pokémon to encounter and worlds to explore. We caught up with Mr Shigeru Ohmori, Director of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, and Mr Kazumasa Iwao, Director of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, from GAME FREAK to discuss 10 new features you'll find in your next Pokémon adventure.
Mr Shigeru Ohmori (left) and Mr Kazumasa Iwao (right) from GAME FREAK.
A brand new tale
Secrets about Necrozma and the Alola region will come to light in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, with a new story unfolding on a grand scale. Necrozma has transformed into two new forms: Dusk Mane Necrozma, who took over Solgalao, and Dawn Wings Necrozma, who took over Lunala.
“There are new Pokémon and characters coming into the game,” explains Mr Iwao, “there’s quite a big story change that you can get into. We feel that this will make it a quite fresh experience for people who have played Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon. There are also returning characters like Hau and Lillie who you’ll see a different side of this time around.”
On top of this there are an additional 100 events that you will encounter as you go through the world that were not in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon.
New Pokémon arrive in Alola with over 400 to encounter!
This isn’t the Alola you thought you knew. As you’re out exploring Alola in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon you’ll encounter Pokémon new to the region that didn’t appear in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, like, UB Adhesive, UB Assembly and UB Burst.
“In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon there are over 400 different Pokémon from the entire series that you can catch, so there’s really a lot to enjoy,” explains Mr Iwao, “also, Mewtwo will be appearing this time around so you can hopefully get to find him and catch him!”
Explore the Ultra Wormhole and visit the home worlds of the mysterious Ultra Beasts!
Ride on the backs of the Legendary Pokémon Solgaleo and Lunala to travel through an Ultra Wormhole and reach the worlds that lie beyond!
“The Ultra Wormhole is a new feature that you can go into and explore,” Mr Ohmori says, “as part of that you can go into the worlds where the Ultra Beasts are from, so as part of the story within the game itself this mystery of the Ultra Beasts really comes to the forefront.”
What will you discover inside the Ultra Wormhole?
All the Legendary Pokémon join the fight!
You won’t only find Ultra Beasts in the worlds that lie beyond an Ultra Wormhole. You can even encounter Legendary Pokémon, such as Mewtwo, Ho-Oh, Lugia, and others. In fact, all the Legendary Pokémon of yore will appear in the worlds you explore in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon! Get them on your team!
Some of the Legendary Pokémon that you can encounter differ, depending on which game you’re playing. By exploring both Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, you can encounter and catch all the Legendary Pokémon that appeared in previous Pokémon series games.
Team Rainbow Rocket also takes the stage in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon and past bosses appear en masse! Check them out in the below trailer:
Surf’s up!
In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, you’ll be able to have fun with Mantine Surf, an incredible water sport that lets you do some surfing while riding on Mantine’s back! Mantine Surf isn’t just a way to get between islands — it’s also a sport where you compete for the highest score by pulling off different cool moves! Try to become a top-notch Mantine Surfer by riding Mantine like a pro!
Thrilling new Z-Moves
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon features new exciting Z-Moves for some Pokémon! Your character wears a new Z-Power-Ring allowing you to use even more varieties of Z-Moves than the Z-Ring. Check out Kommo-o’s awe-inspiring Clangorious Soulblaze Z-Move below.
What would Mr Ohmori and Mr Iwao have as their Z-Move pose? Take a look!
A powered-up Rotom Dex
The Rotom Dex is a Pokédex but with a Rotom inside! In your new adventure you’ll grow closer to Rotom the more you communicate with it, and as you do, it will come to help you more on your journey. If you become close enough with Rotom, it’ll use a special power for you called Rotom’s Z-Power that allows you to use a second Z-Move in battle, even though you’re normally limited to using only one per battle. There’s also Roto Loto, which you can see in the video below.
A new look for a new adventure
The look of the main characters’ outfits has changed from the first trip through the Alola region — just in time for them to begin a new adventure! Choose the Pokémon that will become your partner, and set out on a journey through the world of Alola!
Alola Photo Club
The all-new Alola Photo Club allows you to take pictures with the Pokémon you have in your party. Get creative by dressing up your character and striking various poses with your Pokémon friends. “You can take photos of your Pokémon and add decorations and share them with other players via the Festival Plaza”, exclaims Mr Iwao. You can unlock items to use as decoration as you progress in the game, too!
Mina’s new trial
Some island challenges in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon play out in different ways than they did in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon. What’s more, there’s even a brand new trial with Mina, one of the captains who serve as guides for these trials.
A special Rockruff
A new form of Lycanroc appears in the world of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon known as Dusk Form Lycanroc. The colours of Dusk Form Lycanroc’s body and eyes differ from those of previously discovered Lycanroc, known as Midday Form and Midnight Form.
Only special Rockruff can evolve into a Dusk Form Lycanroc, and neither this Rockruff nor Dusk Form Lycanroc can be caught in normal gameplay. You will be able to receive a special Rockruff* that can evolve into Dusk Form Lycanroc via Nintendo Network from November 17th 2017, until January 10th 2018.
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon land in stores and on Nintendo eShop on November 17th. Eager to discover more? Pokémon veterans Loulou the Pikachu and Snorlax Sam also got to catch up with Mr Ohmori and Mr Iwao in their new video series. Watch the first episode below.
The critics have also had their say. Read our review round-up to see what they think of the games.
*Distribution Period: until 10th Jan, 2018. Wireless internet connection required.
