Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield

## Pokémon Shield

ポケットモンスター シールド

Nintendo.com (Sword)

Nintendo.com (Shield)

**Pokémon Sword** (Japanese: **ポケットモンスター ソード** *Pocket Monsters Sword*) and **Pokémon Shield** (Japanese: **ポケットモンスター シールド** *Pocket Monsters Shield*) are the primary paired versions of Generation VIII. The games will be released on the Nintendo Switch worldwide on November 15, 2019 for both retail sale and download. All copies of the game are playable in nine languages: Japanese, English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

During E3 2017, Tsunekazu Ishihara announced that the next core series titles would be available on the Nintendo Switch, but they were not prepared to release any more information at the time. On May 30, 2018, The Pokémon Company gave a press conference and announced that the new core games would have more traditional gameplay, as opposed to that found in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.

The games were formally announced on Pokémon Day, February 27, 2019 at 11 pm JST during a worldwide announcement through Nintendo Direct hosted by Tsunekazu Ishihara, Junichi Masuda, and Shigeru Ohmori. An official trailer was shown, giving information on the region and the starter Pokémon players can choose from.

==

Blurb ==
A wild new adventure with Pokémon! You can battle to be the best! Carve a path to the future!**Sw**/Protect the world from disaster!**Sh** Band together in new co-op battles!

## Features

The games mixes some of the changes introduced in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! with the more traditional gameplay last seen in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Wild Pokémon now appear on the overworld, known as "symbol encounters", similar to the Let's Go games, as well as random encounters shaking in tall grass.

Known as the Gym Challenge, Gyms that the player must battle with the goal of becoming the Champion will return to the games, after being replaced by trials in Pokémon Sun and Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. The challenge culminates in the annual Champion Cup tournament where the player may challenge the Champion.

### Wild Area

*Main article: Wild Area*
The Wild Area is a vast, open area that connects several towns in the Galar region. It is home to a wide variety of wild Pokémon.

### Dynamax and Gigantamax

*Main article: Dynamax* *and Gigantamax*
Dynamax is a new type of transformation that allows any Pokémon from the Galar region to power up and become larger using the Dynamax Band. After Dynamaxing, a Pokémon can use a Max Move.

Gigantamax is a special phenomenon that also changes the appearance of a few individuals of certain species of Pokémon. Like Dynamaxing, the Pokémon is increased in power and becomes bigger. A Gigantamax Pokémon can use a G-Max Move.

### Max Raid Battles

*Main article: Max Raid Battle*
Max Raid Battles are a new cooperative feature that allows up to four players to challenge a Dynamax Pokémon together over local wireless or Nintendo Switch Online.

### Rotom Phone

*Main article: Rotom Phone*
Replacing the Rotom Pokédex of the Generation VII games, the Rotom Phone acts not only as a Pokédex but also has additional features.

### Y-Comm

*Main article: Y-Comm*
The Y-Comm serves as an interface to connect with other players over local wireless or on the internet through Nintendo Switch Online. Players can trade, battle, swap League Cards, and conduct a Surprise Trade.

### Battle Stadium

*Main article: Battle Stadium*
Replacing the Battle Spot from the Generation VI and VII games, the Battle Stadium allows players to participate in battles over the internet through Nintendo Switch Online. Players can participate in Ranked Battles, Casual Battles, and Official Competitions as well as host or join Friendly Competitions.

### Rotomi

*Main article: Rotomi*
Rotomi replaces the PCs in previous games and has several features including allowing players to send their Pokémon on Poké Jobs and design their League Card.

### Pokémon Camp

*Main article: Pokémon Camp*
Pokémon Camp allows players can go camping and interact with their Pokémon, cook curry, and visit other player's camps.

### Pokémon

*See Category:Generation VIII Pokémon*
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## Compatibility

Pokémon Sword and Shield can connect with Pokémon HOME. This allows it to store and receive Pokémon from Pokémon HOME, including Pokémon from previous generations that were transferred into Pokémon HOME. However, only Pokémon in the Galar regional Pokédex can be transferred to Pokémon Sword and Shield.

## Music

The game's music was primarily composed by Gō Ichinose and Minako Adachi.

## In other languages

 Chinese
 Mandarin
 French
 German
 Italian
 Korean
 Spanish

## References

1. We Interview Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori about *Pokémon Sword* and *Pokémon Shield* | Pokemon.com