Pokemon Ultra Sun ポケットモンスター ウルトラサン Pokemon Ultra Moon ポケットモンスター ウルトラムーン |
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General information | |
Platform | Nintendo 3DS |
Developed by | Game Freak |
Published by | The Pokémon Company |
Players |
1-4 |
Generation | Generation VII |
Predecessor(s) | Pokemon Sun & Moon |
Release dates | |
Australia | November 17th, 2017 |
Europe | November 17th, 2017 |
Japan | November 17th, 2017 |
United States | November 17th, 2017 |
Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon for the Nintendo 3DS are the second paired titles of Gen VII. They were released worldwide on November 17th, 2017 after being initially announced during a Nintendo Direct Broadcast on June 6th, 2017.
The games follow an alternate version of the story from their predecessors; Pokémon Sun & Moon and thus are still set within the Alola region. As well as an alternate universe storyline there are also many new features, characters and enemies - the most notable of which being Team Rainbow Rocket.
In addition to this there are lots of Pokemon availble in USUM that were not available in the original Sun & Moon titles, including ALL legendaries from all core series games to date! That's over 400 available Pokémon in total.
The cover artwork for Pokemon Ultra Sun features Dusk Mane Necrozma as the mascot Pokemon, where Ultra Moon features Dawn Wings Necrozma.
Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon are said to be the last Core Series Pokemon titles that will be launched on the Nintendo 3DS.
Official Description
A new Pokémon adventure awaits in AlolaOminous dark clouds are spreading in the sky above the Alola region, the setting of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon. With new worlds to discover, over 400 Pokémon to catch and host of new features, this isn’t the Alola you thought you knew.
Changes & New stuff
Plot changes
The plot is initially largely the same with only a few novelty bits thrown in, that is until the Aether story arc begins. Things then become distinctly different, with new enemies and foes encountered, and a whole alternate series of events to those we saw in Sun & Moon.An official artwork featuring an aerial view of Alola with ominous clouds gathering.
Ultra Recon Squad
The Ultra Recon Squad (known in Japan as Ultra Reconnaisance Team) is a 'Team' that came to Alola from a world far beyond via an Ultra Wormhole. The player will encounter different members of the Ultra Recon Squad depending on what version of the game they play:-- Ultra Sun: You'll encounter Dulse and Zossie (leftmost, second from left)
- Ultra Moon: You'll encounter Soliera and Phyco. (second from right, rightmost respectively)
New Z-Moves
There are a huge amount of new Z-Moves in USUM. These include Pokemon specific Z Moves, type specific Z Moves as well as Universal Z Moves which can be used with any Pokemon. Click here to check out the full list of all available Z Moves, which Pokémon they are compatible with and more.Team Rainbow Rocket
Many years ago in the original core series Pokémon games you managed to defeat Giovanni and disrupt Team Rocket so badly that the organization disbanded. Giovanni vowed back then that he would restore Team Rocket to it's former glory. Decades later he follows through on that promise and he and his team are back, stronger than ever in the Alola region under the guise of Team Rainbow Rocket.Not only that but this time Team Rocket are backed by basically every other criminal organization we've encountered to date in the core series Pokemon games, and it turns out Giovanni was bankrolling most of them the whole time!
Team Rainbow Rocket Intro Trailer
New Features
Battle Agency
USUM also introduce a new competitive battling facility called the Battle Agency. Similarly to the Battle Tree a player can choose to participate in 3v3 Pokemon Battles against reasonably tough AI opponents; the catch being that you can only take rental Pokemon into battle. The selection of rental Pokemon available is initially quite limited but you can unlock more by participating in USUM's ingame communication features with other players.Mantine Surf
Once you beat your first Grand Trial you will unlock the ability to use the Mantine Surf service at Big Wave Beach. This is effectively a fun little way of getting from Island to Island, instead of catching the normal ferry you can opt to surf across to other Islands, doing tricks and stunts as you go to try to get high scores. The better your score the more BP (Beach Points) you'll be rewarded with when you reach your destination. Said BP can then be used to unlock rewards.Move Tutors
Winning battles at battle facilities such as the Battle Tree or the new Battle Agency will award BP. This currency can be spent on rare items for use in competitive Pokemon Battles, exactly as in Sun and Moon. However this time round you'll also be able to use BP to get new moves for your Pokemon, including special moves that can't be learned via the normal channels or even be obtained via a TM.
Rotom Dex
This special Dex becomes even more valuable to you in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, especially due to the addition of the new bonding mechanic. As you bond with your Rotom Dex it's personality will change, a cool little feature but not a game changer. That said once you reach a particularly strong bond with your Rotom Dex, its own form of Z-Power is activated meaning two Z-Moves can then be used in a single battle.
In addition to this theres also a new feature called Roto Loto, it's a mini game that essentially is a bit like a lottery, as when you play it you have a chance to win new special items; these items could have many different effects such as:-
- Increased XP for a limited period
- Increased Money recieved for winning battles for a limited period
- Decreased Egg incubation period
Totem Stickers
Sun & Moon introduced us to Totem Pokemon, larger than average, fairly powerful Pokémon with their own auras that you'd battle at the end of Island trials. We weren't able to capture these Pokémon to fight alongside us in Sun and Moon however thanks to the introduction of Totem stickers we can get hold of our very own Totem Pokemon in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. The Totem Pokémon we can get have higher weight and are bigger, but when serving us they actually aren't anymore powerful than others of their specie.
You have to collect Totem stickers in order to get hold of them, these stickers are placed by the Trial Captain's and their assistants in different places all over the Alola region specifically for those taking part in their Island trials to seek out and collect. Collect enough of them and you can redeem for your own Totem Pokémon. The stickers can then be redeemed with Samson Oak, each game having it's own version specific Totems avvailable. Here's what you can get from each version:-
Pokemon Ultra Sun exclusives
Pokemon | Stickers required |
Alolan Marowak (Totem form) | 40 |
Gumshoos (Totem form) | 20 |
Lurantis (Totem form) | 50 |
Mimikyu (Totem form) | 80 |
Ribombee (Totem form) | 100 |
Vikavolt (Totem form) | 70 |
Pokemon Ultra Moon exclusives
Pokemon | Stickers required |
Araquanid (Totem form) | 40 |
Alolan Raticate (Totem form) | 20 |
Kommo-o (Totem form) | 100 |
Mimikyu (Totem form) | 80 |
Salazzle (Totem form) | 50 |
Togedemaru (Totem form) | 70 |
Good luck collectin' em all. But beware, Team Skull is known to try and take down these stickers in an attempt to disrupt trial-goers (out of bitterness for their own inability to complete their own Island trials.).
Ultra Wormholes
In the original Sun & Moon games these Ultra Wormholes were prominent within the games story; since it was them that allowed UB's to locate and enter the Alola region from their own worlds.
These Ultra Wormholes still exist this time round of course, but this time the player (when accompanied by either Solgaleo or Lunala) can travel through them and even visit the worlds from which the Ultra Beasts originated such as Ultra Megalopolis. While navigating these Ultra Wormholes you also have the chance to encounter powerful Pokemon and legendaries of past generations such as Mew, Lugia or Ho-Oh.
Pokemon
There are over 400 different Pokémon available between Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. Most notable about this is that between both versions of the games you are able to catch EVERY Legendary Pokemon from all generations to date, some of said legendaries as well as many others being version exclusive.
Pokemon Ultra Sun Version exclusives
Pokemon | Type | Abilities | Pokemon | Type | Abilities |
#37 Vulpix |
Ice | Snow Cloak Snow Warning |
#622 Golett |
Ground/Ghost | Iron Fist Klutz No Guard |
#38 Ninetales |
Ice/Fairy | Snow Cloak Snow Warning |
#623 Golerk |
Ground/Ghost | Iron Fist Klutz No Guard |
#105 Marowak (Totem) |
Fire/Ghost | Cursed Body Lightningrod Rock Head |
#627 Rufflet |
Normal/Flying | Keen Eye Sheer Force Hustle |
#138 Omanyte |
Rock/Water | Swift Swim Shell Armor Weak Armor |
#628 Braviary |
Normal/Flying | Keen Eye Sheer Force Defiant |
#139 Omastar |
Rock/Water | Swift Swim Shell Armor Weak Armor |
#641 Tornadus |
Flying | Prankster Defiant |
#228 Houndour |
Dark/Fire | Early Bird Flash Fire Unnerve |
#643 Reshiram |
Dragon/Fire | Turboblaze |
#229 Houndoom |
Dark/Fire | Early Bird Flash Fire Unnerve |
#692 Clauncher |
Water | Mega Launcher |
#243 Raikou |
Electric | Pressure Inner Focus |
#693 Clawitzer |
Water | Mega Launcher |
#250 Ho-Oh |
Fire/Flying | Pressure Regenerator |
#696 Tyrunt |
Rock/Dragon | Strong Jaw Sturdy |
#347 Anorith |
Rock/Bug | Battle Armor Swift Swim |
#697 Tyrantrum |
Rock/Dragon | Strong Jaw Rock Head |
#348 Armaldo | Rock/Bug | Battle Armor Swift Swim |
#716 Xerneas |
Fairy | Fairy Aura |
#381 Latios |
Dragon/Psychic | Levitate | #735 Gumshoos (Totem) |
Normal | Stakeout Strong Jaw Adaptability |
#383 Groudon |
Ground | Drought | #738 Vikavolt (Totem) |
Bug/Electric | Levitate |
#408 Cranidos |
Rock | Mold Breaker Sheer Force |
#743 Ribombee (Totem) |
Bug/Fairy | Honey Gather Shield Dust Sweet Veil |
#409 Rampardos |
Rock | Mold Breaker Sheer Force |
#754 Lurantis (Totem) |
Grass | Leaf Guard Contrary |
#483 Dialga |
Steel/Dragon | Pressure Telepathy |
#766 Passimian |
Fighting | Receiver Defiant |
#485 Heatran |
Fire/Steel | Flash Fire Flame Body |
#776 Turtonator |
Fire/Dragon | Shell Armor |
#546 Cottonee |
Grass/Fairy | Prankster Infiltrator Chlorophyll |
#791 Solgaleo |
Psychic/Steel | Full Metal Body |
#547 Whimsicott |
Grass/Fairy | Prankster Infiltrator Chlorophyll |
#794 Buzzwole |
Bug/Fighting | Beast Boost |
#550 Basculin |
Water | Reckless Adaptability Mold Breaker |
#798 Kartana |
Grass/Steel | Beast Boost |
#564 Tirtouga |
Water/Rock | Solid Rock Sturdy Swift Swim |
#806 Blacephalon |
Fire/Ghost | Beast Boost |
#565 Carracosta |
Water/Rock | Solid Rock Sturdy Swift Swim |
Pokemon Ultra Moon Version Exclusives
Pokemon | Type | Abilities | Pokemon | Type | Abilities |
#020 Raticate (Totem) |
Dark/Normal | Gluttony Hustle Thick Fat |
#566 Archen |
Rock/Flying | Defeatist |
#027 Sandshrew |
Ice/Steel | Snow Cloak Slush Rush |
#567 Archeops |
Rock/Flying | Defeatist |
#028 Sandslash |
Ice/Steel | Snow Cloak Slush Rush |
#629 Vullaby |
Dark/Flying | Big Pecks Overcoat Weak Armor |
#140 Kabuto |
Rock/Water | Swift Swim Battle Armor Weak Armor |
#630 Mandibuzz |
Dark/Flying | Big Pecks Overcoat Weak Armor |
#141 Kabutops |
Rock/Water | Swift Swim Battle Armor Weak Armor |
#642 Thundurus |
Electric/Flying | Prankster Defiant |
#244 Entei |
Fire | Pressure Inner Focus |
#644 Zekrom |
Dragon/Electric | Teravolt |
#249 Lugia |
Psychic/Flying | Pressure Multiscale |
#690 Skrelp |
Poison/Water | Poison Point Poison Touch Adaptability |
#309 Electrike |
Electric | Static Lightningrod Minus |
#691 Dragalge |
Poison/Dragon | Poison Point Poison Touch Adaptability |
#310 Mancentric |
Electric | Static Lightningrod Minus |
#698 Amaura |
Rock/Ice | Refrigerate Snow Warning |
#343 Baltoy |
Ground/Psychic | Levitate | #699 Aurorus |
Rock/Ice | Refrigerate Snow Warning |
#344 Claydol |
Ground/Psychic | Levitate | #717 Yveltal |
Dark/Flying | Dark Aura |
#345 Lileep |
Rock/Grass Normal Grass |
Suction Cups Storm Drain |
#752 Araquanid (Totem) |
Water/Bug | Water Bubble Water Absorb |
#346 Cradily |
Rock/Grass | Suction Cups Storm Drain |
#758 Salazze (Totem) |
Poison/Fire | Corrosion Oblivious |
#380 Latias |
Dragon/Psychic | Levitate | #765 Oranguru |
Normal/Psychic | Inner Focus Telepathy Symbiosis |
#382 Kyogre |
Water | Drizzle | #777 Togedemaru (Totem) |
Electric/Steel | Iron Barbs Lightningrod Sturdy |
#410 Shieldon |
Rock/Steel | Sturdy Soundproof |
#780 Drampa |
Normal/Dragon | Berserk Sap Sipper Cloud Nine |
#411 Bastiodon |
Rock/Steel | Sturdy Soundproof |
#784 Kommo-o |
Dragon/Fighting | Bulletproof Soundproof Overcoat |
#484 Palkia |
Water/Dragon | Pressure Telepathy |
#792 Lunala |
Psychic/Ghost | Shadow Shield |
#486 Regigias |
Normal | Slow Start | #795 Pheromosa |
Bug/Fighting | Beast Boost |
#548 Petlil |
Grass | Chlorophyll Own Tempo Leaf Guard |
#797 Celesteela |
Steel/Flying | Beast Boost |
#549 Lilligant |
Grass |
Chlorophyll Own Tempo Leaf Guard |
#805 Stakataka |
Rock/Steel | Beast Boost |
#550 Basculin (Blue Striped Form) |
Water | Rock Head Adaptability Mold Breaker |
New Forms
Dusk Form Lycanroc - In Sun & Moon we had Midday form Lyanroc and Midnight Form Lycanroc respectively in each version. Players of USUM can get Dusk Form Lycanroc regardless of which version they're playing.
This form of Lycanroc is quite literally a cross between the other two forms and can learn the signature moves of both (Accelerock and Counter). It comes with it's own new ability too; Tough Claws which increases the power of it's direct physical attacks. Here's how to get this special form of Lycanroc:-
Getting the Special Rockruff
- Purchase one of the games between November 17th, 2017 and January 10th, 2018
- Enable WiFi on your 3DS
- Fire up US or UM and navigate to the MYSTERY GIFT option
- Recieve Gift via WiFi (Not password, none is required) and it will search for gifts
- It'll give you a special Rockruff.
Evolving Rockruff into Dusk Form Lycanroc
- Evolve Rockruff between 5pm and 5.59pm in-game time (as per your 3DS system clock). If you evolve it at any other time it's apparently not guaranteed to be in it's Dusk Form.
- There have been conflicting reports on this stating that the special event Rockruff will ALWAYS become Dusk Form Lycanroc, but for the sake of not being disappointed I wasn't willing to test it, Pokemon evolution doesn't do practice runs! ;-)
Dusk Mane and Dawn Wings Necrozma - Although the legendary Necrozma made a minor cameo in Sun & Moon we really didn't see that much of it. However this time round it takes a much more prominent role in the games plot, becoming one with each games mascot Pokemon. In Ultra Moon it will merge with Lunala to become Dawn Wings Necrozma and in Ultra Sun it will merge with Solagleo to become Dusk Mane Necrozma.
Dusk Mane Necrozma (left) and Dawn Wings Necrozma (right).
When the merge takes place the original Mascot Pokemon will take on a 'meaner' more upgraded look and will change type.
- Dusk Mane Necrozma is a Psychic/Steel type which can wield Sunsteel Strike, Solagleo's signature move
- Dawn Wings Necrozma is a Psychic/Ghost-type and can wield Moongeist Beam, Lunala's signature move
Both of these merged forms have the added ability Prism Armor, reducing the amount of damage recieved from super-effective attacks.
Ultra Beasts
Ultra Beasts are powerful, unfamiliar Pokémon that travelled from other worlds via wormholes, they were initially introduced of course in Pokemon Sun & Moon and were a prominent part of the story. So it went almost without saying that we'd be seeing more of them in USUM. We've got all the UB's from the previous games plus at least three new ones including:
The new UB's: Burst, Assembly and Adhesive (from left to right)
UB Burst - the Fireworks Pokémon. This Pokémon's head is comprised entirely of sparks, it has the somewhat crazy ability to release and explode it's entire head at it's foe without taking damage itself. UB Burst is also known as Blacephalon. "UB Burst tricks targets into letting their guard down as it draws near with its funny gait, swaying this way and that—then shocks them by blowing up its own head without warning. Before they can recover their senses, it steals their vitality, which it’s said to use as a source of energy."
UB Assembly - the Rampart Pokémon. When this Pokémon becomes enraged or is engaged in a tough battle all of the eyes on the stones that comprise it's body begin to glow red. UB Assembly is also known as Stakataka. "While UB Assembly may appear to be made up of stones stacked atop one another, apparently each “stone” is in fact a separate life-form, and this UB is made up of an assemblage of these life-forms."
UB Adhesive - the poison pin Pokémon, this Pokemon's head is filled with venom which can be fired at it's foes from the poison needles atop of them. UB Adhesive is also known as Poipole. It is first used in battle by the Ultra Recon Squad. "UB Adhesive displays many emotions, and it’s said to be able to understand human speech if it spends enough time together with them."
UB Assembly is an Ultra Beast exclusive to Ultra Moon where UB Burst will only be available to those playing Ultra sun. UB Adhesive will be available to players of both games.
Videos
A collection of videos from Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon including trailers and TV Commercials.
Official U.S Trailer
U.S TV Commercial "Strange Evil"
Team Rainbow Rocket TV Commercial
Trivia & Facts
- Many fans assumed the nicknames Ultra Lunala and Ultra Solgaleo for the games cover mascots prior to it being officially known that they were called Dawn Wings Necrozma and Dusk Mane Necrozma respectively following the merger with Necrozma.
Sales Figures
Still waiting for the release of the first official sales figures, so I'll update that once they come in.
English Logo for Pokemon Ultra Sun | English Logo for Pokemon Ultra Moon |
Japanese Logo for Pokemon Ultra Sun | English Logo for Pokemon Ultra Moon |
Reviews
Interestingly USUM recieved quite widespread backlash from fans with many negative reviews in Japan within 24 hours of release; most of which were because people were of the opinion that there wasn't enough new content and they felt as though they'd essentially bought the same game(s) again. Whilst this is 'essentially' not far from the truth, this is a nice polished version of Sun & Moon with a wider variety of Pokemon to catch and lots of new features - so no different from any other gens sister games to the main core titles?
Fortunately many other fans and critics were quite understanding of that fact and there were some pretty good scores recieved from major review sites and fans alike, so lets check them out:-
- Kallie Plagge from GameSpot was reasonably impressed with USUM scoring them 8/10 equating to 'Great' on their scale praising the "Charming new details" which she said add more personality to the Alola region.
- Writing this 2 days after release there are already 24 critic reviews aggregated on Metacritic which give an average of 86/100 - pretty solid by any stands. Even the user scores were reasonable at 8.2/10 over 47 ratings.
- Fellow aggregation site Gamerankings has the games holding a very similar 86.25% scoreline over 12 reviews.
- Chris Tapsell reviewed the games on behalf of Eurogamer and was also quite fond of them, stating "Ultra Sun and Moon Pokémon has reached the pinnacle of what's possible on the console" (another of many references to the Pokemon series outgrowing handheld consoles.)
- IGN's Casey DeFreitas was also impressed, scoring the games 9/10 equating to Amazing on IGN's scale and stating "The Ultra versions pump Pokemon Sun and Moon full of smart improvements."
Media & Artwork
Box Art & Covers for Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon including several regional variations.
Official Artwork - A Gallery of Artwork including Ultra Recon Squad, Pokemon, Logos and more.