Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Developer	Game Freak
Publisher	The Pokémon Company Nintendo
System	Nintendo 3DS
Release Date	November 17, 2017
Rating	ESRB: E

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon are a pair of roleplaying games that were released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2017. They act as alternate versions of Pokémon Sun and Moon, which were released just a year before. Together, they make up the seventh generation games of the Pokémon series. The Ultra games change up the original games with some storyline alternations, including new scenarios and parts of the game that were changed completely. The game also added new areas and vastly expanded the Pokédex, including adding more new Pokémon to the game, which was typically not done in previous generations.

Version Differences

There are a number of changes from Sun and Moon, from minor ones to major ones. In the storyline, some of the character's motivations are changed. New characters known as the Ultra Recon Squad are introduced and make recurring appearances throughout the game. This builds up to the main storyline's final boss being Ultra Necrozma rather than Lusamine. Many of the island trials have been changed in some way, and the Elite Four battles are also changed, as one member is different (Molayne instead of Hala), as is the final opponent (Hau instead of Professor Kukui). The post-game storyline has also been replaced entirely, with Looker and Anabel's storyline being replaced with Episode RR, a storyline involving a battle against Team Rainbow Rocket.

These games also add the Ultra Warp Ride, a minigame in which the player rides one of the Legendary Pokémon (Solgaleo or Lunala) through Ultra Space. Through this minigame, the player can enter portals taking them to special areas where Pokémon can be encountered, which can include Legendary Pokémon from past generations and Ultra Beasts. There is also a Mantine Surf minigame that can be played on the islands.

The Ultra games expand the Pokédex and add several new Pokémon: four Ultra Beasts (two of which act as version exclusives) and a Mythical Pokémon, Zeraora. Several exclusive Pokémon forms are also added for this generation, including a new Dusk Form of Lycanroc. The Zygarde Cube sidequest from the previous game was also removed and replaced with a different sidequest in which players can collect Totem Stickers in order to earn Totem Pokémon as gifts. Other additions include the Alola Photo Club and the Battle Agency, as well as new Z-Moves.

As for the differences in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, they were similar to the differences between the original Sun and Moon. Ultra Moon features a flipped internal clock, so that in-game night and day are switched. Each game features a Legendary Pokémon that is exclusive to that version (Solgaleo for Sun/Ultra Sun and Lunala for Moon/Ultra Moon). As standard Pokémon tradition, each game also has its own share of exclusive Pokémon, including two pairs of Ultra Beasts that are exclusive to each game.

Connectivity

As with past games, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon can connect with each other for trading Pokémon or battling. The games are capable of connecting with the original Sun and Moon, but with stricter limitations. When connecting between the Ultra games and the originals, Pokémon introduced in the Ultra games (including new forms) or knowing new moves/holding new items from the Ultra games cannot be traded to Sun/Moon or used for battles.

Like Sun/Moon, these games can connect with Pokémon Bank for Pokémon storage and transfer. This can be used to transfer Pokémon from past generations, and to transfer Pokémon from Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon to future generations.

Legacy

Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are the last Pokémon games to be released on the Nintendo 3DS, before the series moved to the Nintendo Switch. While these games yielded positive reviews, their sales were the lowest of the main Pokémon games on the 3DS.

Sequels

These games were followed by the Let's Go! games for the Switch in 2018, which are counted as the last part of the seventh generation. The next generation games would be Sword/Shield for the Switch in 2019.