Pokemon Sword and Shield: Release Date, Trailer, and News

Nintendo has finally revealed that the long-awaited Pokemon RPG for Nintendo Switch will be called Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield. This will be a mainline Pokemon game that Nintendo has described as a proper RPG.

This title will be similar to the games in the handheld series (meaning battles, random encounters, and other classic elements). Nintendo and Game Freak also stated that they are in interested in trying some new things with these titles as well as adhering to some franchise traditions. 

We also know that this game will take place in the new Galar Region. There’s no word on what (if any) relationship this region has with the rest of the series, but Game Freak did share a little information about the region itself. Specifically, the studio noted that this is an ecologically diverse area, which we certainly see in the game’s trailer. That footage also leaves us with the distinct impression that this is going to be the largest Pokemon game yet in terms of pure world size. It certainly looks like the developers are taking full advantage of the Switch’s increased power. 

That’s not all, though, as this game will introduce the eighth generation of Pokemon. That generation begins with Sword and Shield‘s three starter Pokemon: the grass type Grookey, the fire type Scorbunny, and the water type Sobble. As always, you’ll be expected to choose one of these Pokemon before venturing out into the world to capture other Pokemon. 

Here’s everything else we know about Pokemon Sword and Shield.

Pokemon Sword and Shield Release Date

Pokemon Sword and Shield will receive a worldwide release for Nintendo Switch on November 15. 

Pokemon Sword and Shield Trailers

This Nintendo Direct covers much more about the latest Pokemon game:

Check out the debut trailer for Sword and Shield!

Pokemon Sword and Shield Gameplay

Nintendo’s Pokemon-themed Direct revealed a ton of new information about Sword and Shield including co-op raids, giant Pokemon, and much more. Be sure to check out our full breakdown of the new information. We also played a section of the game and you can read our preview here. 

Matthew Byrd is a staff writer for Den of Geek. He spends most of his days trying to pitch deep-dive analytical pieces about Killer Klowns From Outer Space to an increasingly perturbed series of editors. You can read more of his work here or find him on Twitter at @SilverTuna014.