Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon (Nintendo 3DS)
Pokemon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon (Nintendo 3DS)

 

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Pokemon Ultra Sun
ポケットモンスター ウルトラサン
Pokemon Ultra Sun English BoxartPokemon Ultra Moon
ポケットモンスター ウルトラムーン
Pokemon Ultra Moon English Boxart
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
Quick menu: Official Description / Changes from Sun & Moon / New Features / Pokemon / Videos / Trivia & Facts / Sales / Reviews / Media & Artwork

Pokemon Ultra Sun title screenPokemon 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 Alola
Male ProtagonistOminous 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.

Alola Map Clouds Gathering
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 Ultra Moon Ultra Recon Squad
  • 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)
There will come a point when after initially studying the customs of our world (the Pokémon World) and how battles work, that they'll actually bring one of their own "Pokémon" in the form of UB Adhesive to the party!

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.

Z Moves Art

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.

Mantine Surf 1 Mantine Surf 2

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.).

Totem Sized Pokemon by Collecting Stickers

 

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
037
#37 Vulpix
Ice Snow Cloak
Snow Warning
622
#622 Golett
Ground/Ghost Iron Fist
Klutz
No Guard
038
#38 Ninetales
Ice/Fairy Snow Cloak
Snow Warning
623
#623 Golerk
Ground/Ghost Iron Fist
Klutz
No Guard
105
#105 Marowak (Totem)
Fire/Ghost Cursed Body
Lightningrod
Rock Head
627
#627 Rufflet
Normal/Flying Keen Eye
Sheer Force
Hustle
138
#138 Omanyte
Rock/Water Swift Swim
Shell Armor
Weak Armor
628
#628 Braviary
Normal/Flying Keen Eye
Sheer Force
Defiant
139
#139 Omastar
Rock/Water Swift Swim
Shell Armor
Weak Armor
641
#641 Tornadus
Flying Prankster
Defiant
228
#228 Houndour
Dark/Fire Early Bird
Flash Fire
Unnerve
643
#643 Reshiram
Dragon/Fire Turboblaze
229
#229 Houndoom
Dark/Fire Early Bird
Flash Fire
Unnerve
692
#692 Clauncher
Water Mega Launcher
243
#243 Raikou
Electric Pressure
Inner Focus
693
#693 Clawitzer
Water Mega Launcher
250
#250 Ho-Oh
Fire/Flying Pressure
Regenerator
696
#696 Tyrunt
Rock/Dragon Strong Jaw
Sturdy
347
#347 Anorith
Rock/Bug Battle Armor
Swift Swim
697
#697 Tyrantrum
Rock/Dragon Strong Jaw
Rock Head
348#348 Armaldo Rock/Bug Battle Armor
Swift Swim
716
#716 Xerneas
Fairy Fairy Aura
381
#381 Latios
Dragon/Psychic Levitate 735
#735 Gumshoos (Totem)
Normal Stakeout
Strong Jaw
Adaptability
383
#383 Groudon
Ground Drought 738
#738 Vikavolt (Totem)
Bug/Electric Levitate
408
#408 Cranidos
Rock Mold Breaker
Sheer Force
743
#743 Ribombee (Totem)
Bug/Fairy Honey Gather
Shield Dust
Sweet Veil
409
#409 Rampardos
Rock Mold Breaker
Sheer Force
754
#754 Lurantis (Totem)
Grass Leaf Guard
Contrary
483
#483 Dialga
Steel/Dragon Pressure
Telepathy
766
#766 Passimian
Fighting Receiver
Defiant
485
#485 Heatran
Fire/Steel Flash Fire
Flame Body
776
#776 Turtonator
Fire/Dragon Shell Armor
546
#546 Cottonee
Grass/Fairy Prankster
Infiltrator
Chlorophyll
791
#791 Solgaleo
Psychic/Steel Full Metal Body
547
#547 Whimsicott
Grass/Fairy Prankster
Infiltrator
Chlorophyll
794
#794 Buzzwole
Bug/Fighting Beast Boost
550
#550 Basculin
Water Reckless
Adaptability
Mold Breaker
798
#798 Kartana
Grass/Steel Beast Boost
564
#564 Tirtouga
Water/Rock Solid Rock
Sturdy
Swift Swim
UB Burst aka Blacephalon
#806 Blacephalon
Fire/Ghost Beast Boost
565
#565 Carracosta
Water/Rock Solid Rock
Sturdy
Swift Swim
     


Pokemon Ultra Moon Version Exclusives

 Pokemon Type Abilities Pokemon Type Abilities
020
#020 Raticate (Totem)
Dark/Normal Gluttony
Hustle
Thick Fat
566
#566 Archen
Rock/Flying Defeatist
027
#027 Sandshrew
Ice/Steel Snow Cloak
Slush Rush
567
#567 Archeops
Rock/Flying Defeatist
028
#028 Sandslash
Ice/Steel Snow Cloak
Slush Rush
629
#629 Vullaby
Dark/Flying Big Pecks
Overcoat
Weak Armor
140
#140 Kabuto
Rock/Water Swift Swim
Battle Armor
Weak Armor
630
#630 Mandibuzz
Dark/Flying Big Pecks
Overcoat
Weak Armor
141
#141 Kabutops
Rock/Water Swift Swim
Battle Armor
Weak Armor
642
#642 Thundurus
Electric/Flying Prankster
Defiant
244
#244 Entei
Fire Pressure
Inner Focus
644
#644 Zekrom
Dragon/Electric Teravolt
249
#249 Lugia
Psychic/Flying Pressure
Multiscale
690
#690 Skrelp
Poison/Water Poison Point
Poison Touch
Adaptability
309
#309 Electrike
Electric Static
Lightningrod
Minus
691
#691 Dragalge
Poison/Dragon  Poison Point
Poison Touch
Adaptability
310
#310 Mancentric
Electric Static
Lightningrod
Minus
698
#698 Amaura
Rock/Ice Refrigerate
Snow Warning
343
#343 Baltoy
Ground/Psychic Levitate 699
#699 Aurorus
Rock/Ice Refrigerate
Snow Warning
344
#344 Claydol
Ground/Psychic Levitate 717
#717 Yveltal
Dark/Flying Dark Aura
345
#345 Lileep
Rock/Grass

Normal
Grass
Suction Cups
Storm Drain
752
#752 Araquanid (Totem)
Water/Bug Water Bubble
Water Absorb
346
#346 Cradily
Rock/Grass Suction Cups
Storm Drain
758
#758 Salazze (Totem)
Poison/Fire Corrosion
Oblivious
380
#380 Latias
Dragon/Psychic Levitate 765
#765 Oranguru
Normal/Psychic Inner Focus
Telepathy
Symbiosis
382
#382 Kyogre
Water Drizzle 777
#777 Togedemaru (Totem)
Electric/Steel Iron Barbs
Lightningrod
Sturdy
410
#410 Shieldon
Rock/Steel Sturdy
Soundproof
780
#780 Drampa
Normal/Dragon Berserk
Sap Sipper
Cloud Nine
411
#411 Bastiodon
Rock/Steel Sturdy
Soundproof
784
#784 Kommo-o
Dragon/Fighting Bulletproof
Soundproof
Overcoat
484
#484 Palkia
Water/Dragon Pressure
Telepathy
792
#792 Lunala
Psychic/Ghost Shadow Shield
486
#486 Regigias
Normal Slow Start 795
#795 Pheromosa
Bug/Fighting Beast Boost
548
#548 Petlil
Grass Chlorophyll
Own Tempo
Leaf Guard
797
#797 Celesteela
Steel/Flying Beast Boost
549
#549 Lilligant
Grass


Chlorophyll
Own Tempo
Leaf Guard
UB Assembly aka Stakataka
#805 Stakataka
Rock/Steel Beast Boost
550
#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:-

Lycanroc in its Dusk FormGetting 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 Dawn Wings 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:

UB Burst aka BlacephalonUB Assembly aka StakatakaUB Adhesive aka Poipole  
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 Burst UB Assembly
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.

Trailer which was heavily focused on Pokken Tournament DX but also included first teaser style glimpses of Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon

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.


Pok  mon Ultra Sun logo Pok  mon Ultra Moon logo
English Logo for Pokemon Ultra Sun English Logo for Pokemon Ultra Moon
Pok  mon Ultra Sun logo JP Pok  mon Ultra Moon logo JP
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 aDawn Wings Necrozmany 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.

 

 

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