Pokemon Sun

 3DS
Pokemon Sun Image
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87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 87 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1265 Ratings

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  • Summary: Using Pokemon Bank, you'll be able to transfer Pokemon you've caught in the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console versions of Pokemon Red, Pokemon Blue, and Pokemon Yellow into your copy of Pokemon Sun or Pokemon Moon. Pokemon from Pokemon Omega Ruby, Pokemon Alpha Sapphire, Pokemon X, and Pokemon YUsing Pokemon Bank, you'll be able to transfer Pokemon you've caught in the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console versions of Pokemon Red, Pokemon Blue, and Pokemon Yellow into your copy of Pokemon Sun or Pokemon Moon. Pokemon from Pokemon Omega Ruby, Pokemon Alpha Sapphire, Pokemon X, and Pokemon Y can also be brought into Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon in the same way.… Expand
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Pokemon Sun/Moon - New Pokemon Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 87
  3. Negative: 0 out of 87
  1. Vooks
    Apr 8, 2017
    100
    Pokémon Sun and Moon make terrific changes the twenty-year-old formula, allowing new fans and returning ones back into the series with a wonderful lively and colourful world. It's just a little too easy for us who have been here from the start - but it's easy to forgot that when you're having such a blast.
  2. GameOver.gr
    Dec 7, 2016
    95
    By taking the well known tried and reliable recipe of the old games, tweaking some of the original ideas and adding a few new ones, Game Freak delivered the best Pokemon game we've seen in years.
  3. EGM
    Nov 15, 2016
    90
    A couple technical issues aside, Sun/Moon might be the best Pokémon game yet. It freshens up a formula some of us PokéManics might not have realized was growing stale until now. Trials and Grand Trials provide variations on familiar gameplay, and the removal of HMs and telling players how effective their moves are rejuvenates battling.
  4. Game Rant
    Nov 16, 2016
    90
    Sun and Moon are the biggest changes that the core Pokemon series has ever attempted. Removing gyms, Hidden Machines (HMs), and altering original Pocket Monsters was a huge gamble – and all of it has paid off. Honoring the franchise’s past while looking to the future must have been a difficult ideal for Nintendo and The Pokemon Company to nail down, but the end result of this undertaking is a pair of lovingly-crafted, must-haves for fans new and old. Truly, this is the celebration of Pokemon that gamers have been waiting for.
  5. Arcade Sushi
    Dec 1, 2016
    90
    These new games take things previously thought to be untouchable elements of the Pokemon experience and turns them on their heads, delivering a completely unique experience from its predecessors.
  6. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Nov 18, 2016
    85
    Overall, Pokemon Sun and Moon take two generational steps forward, but also take one step back. Small new intricacies like battle enhancements and a refined presentation vastly improve the moment-to-moment experience of playing Pokemon. However, a sparse catalog of new Pokemon, shallow end game, and lack of launch Pokemon Bank support hold the titles back from being truly exceptional.
  7. Guardian
    Nov 18, 2016
    60
    It is not the blow-away game of 2016, nor does it seem to have the staying power of Ruby and Sapphire, but it’s enjoyable. Pokémon games are their own beasts, and hopefully Sun and Moon is a show of further changes and things to come for the franchise.

See all 91 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 150 out of 236
  2. Mixed: 40 out of 236
  3. Negative: 46 out of 236
  1. lizthewiz
    Nov 18, 2016
    10
    Pokemon Sun shines brighter than any predecessor in the Pokemon franchise. The graphics are fresh and lush. The story is entertaining. AbovePokemon Sun shines brighter than any predecessor in the Pokemon franchise. The graphics are fresh and lush. The story is entertaining. Above all, it's the most lively Pokemon adventure yet.… Expand
  2. Bald_Strikes
    Aug 11, 2018
    10
    The 3DS brought many great gems to the pokemon series so when I say Pokemon Sun, alongside the Moon version are the second best game pair inThe 3DS brought many great gems to the pokemon series so when I say Pokemon Sun, alongside the Moon version are the second best game pair in this whole game series, only second to it's bettered Ultra versions, its with heavy-hitter competition. I'm a fan since Pokemon Red and Blue came out in the U.S. in the late 90s but even after so long and having played all games I keep the assertion above: I was shocked with how much of a breath of fresh air this pair brought to the franchise. From replacing the gyms with a new boss system to new concepts like the rides, playing them feels like a mix of discovering so much new mixed with the prime pokemon trainer experience, not only many changes happened: They WORKED and they MATTERED which is something rare to say for games that change so much on old formulas.

    The side content is some of the best the series ever had, the hunt for Zygarde cells, Pokepelago, Refresh, etc, you feel like the pokemon is your pal instead of just a sprite in the team screen

    It has the best characters and best and most interesting story in the series, I'm yet to find a single pokemon fan who haven't gushed about how interesting and engaging the plot surrounding your journey was this time. Also decent pacing throughout your journey as to let you explore each section as the trials come by. The story actually managing to pull iconic and emotional moments like I've never seen in the series. And don't let the bright tropical looks and colorful people full of personality trick you: the story can get dark at points, with uncharted themes to pokemon

    The designs of new pokemon were ALL unique. You can feel a higher focus in creativity in each new pokemon, with ideas that feel iconic yet unexpected, including the regional forms, which bring new life to old pokemon like Raichu by putting them into new concepts based on how they'd adapt into a tropical setting.

    Team Skull is the best "evil team" pokemon has had and will be remembered fondly 20 years from now as one of the highest points in the series (but I can say that about a lot of things Alola region brought us)

    Z-Crystals are a neat way to make a weaker mon stay relevant, while working to all pokemon and having special effects if you combine it with effect/status moves. Speaking of the Meta, it's really well balanced in recent years, making going online a joy.

    All accounted, don't let online trolls who diss nintendo games everywhere convince you otherwise: It is a Must to play this game or the Ultras if you enjoy pokemon, as any longtime fan (of which many I have befriended by playing it with) this game with in recent months will most certainly tell you, this pair and its follow up are love letters to any pokemon fan, from the pleasure that it is to make runs in it, to how easy it is to breed, trains and battle online, to the beautiful and interesting places to explore, to even multiple references and old characters from every gen coming back.    … Expand
  4. marvs869
    Mar 11, 2017
    10
    Gen 7 grew up from its chibi phase back in Pokemon X and honestly, the 3D models made the game so much more immersive. It felt like I was onGen 7 grew up from its chibi phase back in Pokemon X and honestly, the 3D models made the game so much more immersive. It felt like I was on actual interesting islands with so much to discover. If I had to rate this game from the changes alone that it distinguished itself from the past generation like Z-moves, immersive pokemon sounds and actions, ratios from height of building to people, trials and kahunas, a much better story of friendship and the end-justifies-the-means ambitions, I would still have rated this a 10/10… Expand
  5. Marwans
    Feb 24, 2022
    8
    An excellent game of the few Pokemon I've played.
    Story (10/10)
    Characters (9/10)
    Soundtrack (10/10)
    Graphics ( 8/10) It's a 3DS
  6. NintendoGamer1
    Oct 6, 2017
    8
    With the classic game-play of previous iterations as well of having no more HMs makes this game an amazing experience. Unfortunately the gameWith the classic game-play of previous iterations as well of having no more HMs makes this game an amazing experience. Unfortunately the game is ridiculously easy compared to other game in the Pokemon series.… Expand
  7. emilyratesgames
    Jul 20, 2020
    6
    Score: 6
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  8. Howlingwolfjoey
    Jul 28, 2020
    0
    Worst story
    Worst Legends
    Worst villains Worst gameplay No gyms NO CHAMPION??? It's the WORST pokemon game to exist, worst than XY &    Worst story
    Worst Legends
    Worst villains
    Worst gameplay
    No gyms
    NO CHAMPION???

    It's the WORST pokemon game to exist, worst than XY & RSE. It doesn't play like a pokemon game. In fact, it's more like a fan game than anything. Thank god Sword/Shield saved the day and retained the old gameplay than the trash new one. Anyone that liked SM over SwSh are piece of trash that doesn't exist. Matter of fact, they're not real pokemon fans.    … Expand

See all 236 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best 3DS Game of 2016
1
#1 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2016
1
#1 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2016