Pokémon Sword and Shield are the latest titles in the main series of Pokémon games. These Pokémon games can be played in the hybrid console Nintendo Switch, making it the first main series of games to ever be on a home console. Pokémon Sword and Shield released on November 15, 2019.

Pokémon Sword and Shield takes place in the new region of Galar, the Galar region is based on the real world of the United Kingdom. As it is expected with any Pokémon games new Pokémon were added to the already expansive world of Pokémon. Eighty new Pokémon as well as Pokémon variations known as Galarian Pokémon had resulted in a total of 1,111 Pokémon in total.

Galarian Pokémon are not the first regional variants of our favorite little pocket monsters, because the first time we were introduced to regional Pokémon were in the Pokémon Sun and Moon titles. This was a beloved feature that was introduced in those games as they took preexisting Pokémon and put a brand new coat of paint on them, changing their appearance as well as their typing. Ten new Galarian forms were introduced, as well as new evolutions to these forms such as the Pokémon Zigzagoon, Mr.Mime, Meowth, Farfetch’d, Corsola, and more! These new forms and evolutions brought much needed love for Pokémon that have always been looked down upon for years, such as Farfetch’d and Corsola.

Pokémon Sword and Shield, however, seems to not be as story-based as previous Pokémon games, as there is usually an evil team in which you, the trainer have to defeat to save the world. However the evil team this time around is hardly a threat–which was very dissapointing as I and many others were hoping to defeat a truly evil organization to save the region of Galar. Instead we got a “punk rock” fan club as an evil team known as team Yell.

In the days leading to the release date, there had been nothing but controversy about these new titles. The first being the National Dex in which many fans are disappointed that the National Dex is not making a return. As this is the second title of games to not include the beloved National Dex (which states every information for every Pokémon). The last time we had the National Dex was in the titles Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire which released in 2014. The second controversy is what is known as “Dexit” by fans which is a play on words of “Brexit” from the United Kingdom. What dexit is, is the removal of Pokémon from previous games–meaning not every Pokémon made it into Sword and Shield which angered fans as their favorite Pokémon were cut from the Pokédex.

Personally, this had no effect in my experience in playing the games, and so far, my whole adventure in the Galar region has been a fantastic one. Although it is disappointing that not every Pokémon made it into these titles, I am certain that they will be appearing in the future titles. Pokémon Sword and Shield had always been surrounded by controversy ever since the first game-play trailer; however, there is so many things that these titles did do right.

Pokémon Sword and Shield brought in a new feature that had surprised me from the first time I tried it, being Dynamax battles. Dynamax battling is the main new feature in these new Pokémon games, in which you enter whats seems to be “Godzilla” like battles in which you dynamax your Pokémon making them gigantic. Although this feature is nothing like the beloved Mega Evolutions from Pokémon X & Y, it is still just as fun. There are two forms of dynamaxing which are just regular dynamax, and gigantamaxing which not only make your Pokémon gigantic, but also changes the appearance of the Pokémon.

The most popular feature of these titles is the new area known as the Wild Area. This fulfills every Pokémon fans’ dream–which is to have a taste of an open world Pokémon game. The Wild Area is this masive area where you have the control of the camera within the area, while exploring various parts of the area. The Wild Area is a place where various Pokémon roam and where Dynamax/Gigantamax battles take place. Hopefully in the future Pokémon titles the entire game is an open world game as this has been the best part of the entire game.

Overall, Pokémon Sword and Shield is another great game developed by Game Freak, the developers of the Pokémon games. These games are going to play a special part in the new generations of Pokémon trainers this holiday, as it is the fastest selling Nintendo Switch game as of late selling 6 million copies the first week. Pokémon Sword and Shield has so much to offer and is a game that everyone should give a try, it is a game that I had yet to experience until now. If you do pick up these games, I hope you have an amazing time, just like I did.