The wait for the next generation of thePokemonfranchise is finally over, withPokemon SwordandShieldmaking their debut on the Switch this weekend. As players dive into a new adventure in the Galar region, the full set of new Pokemon species and regional variants of classic creatures has finally been revealed.
Each generation ofPokemongames roll out a variety of the eponymous creatures for players to find, collect and battle with in a new part of the world to explore, andPokemon SwordandShieldexpand on the universe by introducing a set of Pokemon inspired by England and the United Kingdom, the real-life basis for the game’s setting.
RELATED:Pokemon Sword and Shield: How to Get Gigantamax Meowth
80 of the creatures inPokemon SwordandShield’s regional Pokedex are completely new to the franchise, including the evolutionary lines ofstarter trio Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobbleand the games' canine legendary duo Zacian and Zamazenta. Additionally, the games have introduced 13 regional variants of existing Pokemon, with unique versions of Weezing, Zigzagoon and Linoone, among others.
Pokemon SwordandShieldalso stick to the series tradition of making certain Pokemon exclusive to each version. Theunicorn-like Galarian form of Ponytais only obtainable without a trade inShield, whileSwordis the only place to encounter the new variant of Farfetch’d and its new knight-styled evolution Sirfetch’d.
One new mechanic granted to Pokemon old and new inPokemon SwordandShieldis the ability to temporarily turn into massive, stadium-sized versions of themselves in battle through the games' Dynamax mechanic. A select few,including Charizard, are granted Gigantamax formswith their own special moves and abilities.
The release ofPokemon SwordandShieldhas not been without controversy, with mixed opinions emerging over the games being the first mainline entries in the Pokemon franchise toexclude the National Pokedex, the collection of every Pokemon in the series since the release of Red and Blue in 1998, in favor of solely featuring the regional selections made for the Galarian Pokedex by developer Game Freak.While pre-release reception hasn’t been universally positive, excitement for the franchise’s Switch debut is still high for old and new fans, and those still interested in diving intoSwordandShieldwill find plenty of new creatures to befriend along the way.
MORE:Pokemon Sword and Shield Controversy Explained
