Pokemon Ultra Sun

 3DS
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1103 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 789 out of 1103
  2. Mixed: 109 out of 1103
  3. Negative: 205 out of 1103
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  1. linvail
    May 4, 2018
    5
    If you are looking for a game that treats you like an intelligent person, look elsewhere... There is no challenge, no compelling story and little innovation...

    if not for the online game I would say that it is completely skippable...
  2. Locke_Cole
    May 2, 2018
    8
    Como muchos aquí, yo también creo que Alola es la mejor región de la 3DS. Desde Black/White que no disfrutaba tanto con un videojuego de Pokémon. El 2016 disfruté un montón de Sun/Moon, el cambio en la forma de avance, los ultraentes, la dinámica de kahunas y pruebas, todos me parecerieron grandes inclusiones en la saga. Además los diseños de los Pokémon me gustan bastante en estaComo muchos aquí, yo también creo que Alola es la mejor región de la 3DS. Desde Black/White que no disfrutaba tanto con un videojuego de Pokémon. El 2016 disfruté un montón de Sun/Moon, el cambio en la forma de avance, los ultraentes, la dinámica de kahunas y pruebas, todos me parecerieron grandes inclusiones en la saga. Además los diseños de los Pokémon me gustan bastante en esta generación.

    Sin embargo ultrasol y ultraluna no representan una gran diferencia a la entrega del año pasado, es lo mismo con otra ruta. Y a mí personalmente me encantó el segundo viaje a Alola, y disfruté con sus añadidos. El juego del año pasado merecía un 9 en mi opinión, pero aunque refrescantes agregados de por medio, creo que se debe penalizar esta segunda vuelta. Un aplauso, eso sí al capítulo de Giovanni post-game. Pero no puedo dejar de pensar que esperaba una mejora tipo Black/White 2 a sus primeras entregas.    … Expand
  3. Bolthut
    May 1, 2018
    10
    One of the best releases from last year and a really high point in the whole franchise. The Alola region is ripe with innovative content, even gyms leave the way in order to new concepts to join in, the battles and story are engaging.
  4. shang-chi_VG
    May 1, 2018
    10
    I played Sun before so I went in just expecting a "crystalversion" to sun's "gold version", but it justified my replay way more than that, putting a smile on my face, each mapped route having something new: new pokemon not in sun, new trainers, events, even weird missions that, without spoiers, I found out in certain places after going back to them that aren't part of the story.

    Also a    I played Sun before so I went in just expecting a "crystalversion" to sun's "gold version", but it justified my replay way more than that, putting a smile on my face, each mapped route having something new: new pokemon not in sun, new trainers, events, even weird missions that, without spoiers, I found out in certain places after going back to them that aren't part of the story.

    Also a lesser factor to some but I found the musical track better than ever too, Sun was already catchy, now it went from remix of old classics to the tracks from sun to the all-new ones: just listen to some of the ultrabeast related ones: I don't doubt they will be remembered as some of the best tracks the series ever had in a few years.    … Expand
  5. CelebiJirachMew
    Apr 30, 2018
    10
    It's easier than ever to make a balanced team with your prefered mons, and the enemies are strong and balanced too. And the BEST and BIGGEST postgame ever.
  6. Be997
    Apr 29, 2018
    10
    It overall adds more than you'd expect from the usual enhanced versions pokemon receives:
    It fixes and enhances some things, including the following:
    - Way, way quicker begininat the very early game, getting you right to the starter way earlier instead of waiting till the Kahuna meets you - fixes where you can evolve pokemon that need specific areas to do so, by bringing those earlier    It overall adds more than you'd expect from the usual enhanced versions pokemon receives:
    It fixes and enhances some things, including the following:
    - Way, way quicker begininat the very early game, getting you right to the starter way earlier instead of waiting till the Kahuna meets you
    - fixes where you can evolve pokemon that need specific areas to do so, by bringing those earlier
    - gives away a whole extra trial for Mina, the last captain, adding a whole part to the game and an extra totem too.
    - gives the battle tree a new mode, that's more enjoyable to play, making it way better to get bp too
    -adds more features to the rotomdex, making it more wholesome
    -adds more exclusive z-moves that help strenght certain pokemon
    -makes every trainer stronger, but specially Hau
    -develops many side characters that weren't doing much before
    -adds in a new way to travel between the islands that's more interactive
    -the pokedex has more pokemon per island so the route mons don't feel repetitive
    -we actually get to see the UBs worlds, adding more individual lore to each one of them
    -two new UBs
    -more move tutors
    -access to early legends with a lore reason to justify them (instead of them just happening to live in another region just because)
    -thanks to what happens to the postgame, the story's ending feels more conclusive
    -new totems and the ability to have a version of them too
    -a new facility/feature inside the festival plaza to justify itself more
    I'm forgetting a lot of things, but by those alone I consider it one of the better recent entries.    … Expand
  7. Trunks-M
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    As a vet-player who has played every game since Red and Blue, I'm having a ball with this one, it may be even the best pokemon game to this point, worth every penny. It's also surprisingly HARD when playing without the exp share, the totems are harder than before and have each their own strategy, npcs are tougher than they seem and the final boss is the hardest in any game. It also fix itsAs a vet-player who has played every game since Red and Blue, I'm having a ball with this one, it may be even the best pokemon game to this point, worth every penny. It's also surprisingly HARD when playing without the exp share, the totems are harder than before and have each their own strategy, npcs are tougher than they seem and the final boss is the hardest in any game. It also fix its predecessor's flaws, for example I get my starter way earlier now and can already go starting off my team way earlier.

    Specially recomended to hardcore and old-time players of the series thanks to said difficulty, amazing competitive online and being the most practical game to make your own team in legitimate ways (you can train ivs, catch almost everything, has good move tutors and pokepelago makes breeding and ev train a cakewalk). I would recomend to beginners too, but be warned if you turn down the exp share, the game becomes a challenge, which I wouldn't say about any previous pokemon, despite loving them all.    … Expand
  8. chavelucre
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    Excelente jogo: tudo o que versões anteriores fizeram esse faz melhor. A região também tem muitas adições que a enriquecem te deixando com muitas opções para o que fazer e como se aventurar. De surfing, para novos pokemon para batalhas e lugares novos a todo momento. Altamente recomendado
  9. juuulya
    Apr 27, 2018
    5
    A good game for beginners/little children, but a huge downgrade to longtime players/fans of the pokemon series. Extremely tedious cut scenes and storytelling; i fell asleep a few times trying to pay attention to them. You can't go more than 10 steps without a cut scene during the beginning of the game. Once you beat the elite four the game gets astronomically better, but that's aA good game for beginners/little children, but a huge downgrade to longtime players/fans of the pokemon series. Extremely tedious cut scenes and storytelling; i fell asleep a few times trying to pay attention to them. You can't go more than 10 steps without a cut scene during the beginning of the game. Once you beat the elite four the game gets astronomically better, but that's a ridiculous amount of time to suffer through story mode. Also extremely structured, no more wandering around the world. You go where the game wants you to, no other options. Tutorials galore, there needs to be a "i already know this" option in game. The new pokemon designs are awesome, and the color palette and graphics of the game are appealing.
    As someone who's been playing pokemon since hoenn, this is easy the worst entry to the series. Returning gamers and fans should avoid this, but new players and young children will love it. A great gift for your 6 yr old nephew, but save yourself $40 worth of disappointment and wait until next gen.    … Expand
  10. Chucle_Mordecai
    Apr 23, 2018
    10
    The base game was already good, the new z-moves, pokemon, stories and the many new areas being added on top of it elevate the alola games in this version to be one of the best adventures in the "pokemon" series
  11. Fran-Rina
    Apr 22, 2018
    10
    Best game and one of the better postgames since the Johto remakes from years ago, quite the deal.
  12. Gallade21
    Apr 19, 2018
    10
    Strongest 3ds games, I recommend it a lot, good story, fun boss battles, an interesting post-game story, and the new forms like Necrozma's and the new UBs look great
  13. Kick454
    Apr 19, 2018
    7
    Honestly, I REALLY hate the fact that it's two versions instead of one. I actually was going to quit the franchise, but then I gave this game a try and I think I'm done with this repetitive franchise. But, judging the game by it's own merits, it's not a bad game at all.

    Pros: + Variety in Pokemon: WAY better than Sun and Moon's low variety. + Ultra Space: Minus the lowest quality    Honestly, I REALLY hate the fact that it's two versions instead of one. I actually was going to quit the franchise, but then I gave this game a try and I think I'm done with this repetitive franchise. But, judging the game by it's own merits, it's not a bad game at all.

    Pros:
    + Variety in Pokemon: WAY better than Sun and Moon's low variety.
    + Ultra Space: Minus the lowest quality motion controls, it's a pretty cool concept.
    + Lack of National Dex: UNPOPULAR OPINION ALERT! I hated that the Shiny Charm was locked behind the National Dex in previous titles.
    + Ultra Megalopolis Battle: Honestly, the only battle I liked aside from the Champion battle

    Mix:
    = Soundtrack: Meh... Pokemon soundtracks aren't that great in my opinion, and this game didn't fix that (nor did Sun/Moon, which pretty much almost the entire soundtrack was from those games). Aside from the Legendary Final Battle in Ultra Megalopolis, it was meh.
    = Story: Well... Pokemon isn't really about story isn't it? THEN WHY IS THERE ONE IN THE GAME ANYWAYS? I did enjoy some parts of the story, but for the most part it's just as good/bad as Sun/Moon.
    = Gameplay: It's literally the same thing as EVERY OTHER POKEMON GAME BEFORE IT (and hopefully not after it).

    Cons:
    - The Dual Versions: Why couldn't this just be one version?
    - Side Quests: Again, it's an RPG. Why can't effort be put into RPG things?
    - Motion Controls: What idiot thought Motion Controls and Pokemon would mix? But then again, at least there's an option to turn them off.

    BRUTALLY HURTS THE GAME:
    - Barely any difference between Sun and Moon and USUM: This alone hurt my experience with my Ultra Sun playthrough. I mean, there are still quite a number of changes, but they aren't that frequent. May as well just have this game be DLC as a second file...

    Overall, the game is good, not great, but good. I believe it warrants a 7/10 from me.    … Expand
  14. Dadedido
    Apr 19, 2018
    6
    While decent it doesn't do enough to justify a second purchase, if you haven't got SM yet then maybe you should try this one, otherwise be free to skip it, you won't miss too much.
  15. Origins_N
    Apr 18, 2018
    10
    Best story, many new areas and some of the best sidegames in any pokemon game. If you group crystal, emerald, platinum and yellow together and multiply it by 5, it also won't have as many changed from the originals as the ultra versions had so it's also the best "third/improved version" the series has gotten to this point. Add in the highened difficulty and many sidegames and it's the bestBest story, many new areas and some of the best sidegames in any pokemon game. If you group crystal, emerald, platinum and yellow together and multiply it by 5, it also won't have as many changed from the originals as the ultra versions had so it's also the best "third/improved version" the series has gotten to this point. Add in the highened difficulty and many sidegames and it's the best 3ds pokemon games… Expand
  16. Emmett601
    Apr 18, 2018
    4
    Pokemon Ultra Sun is a fine game if you haven't played Sun or Moon but it's pretty much the same game with a worse story but features harder battles. This is the least expansive third(?) version since yellow on the gameboy.
    Also the game tries to stop you at every single turn with annoying dialog (I love RPGs but these characters say nothing noteworthy and don't let you progress into    Pokemon Ultra Sun is a fine game if you haven't played Sun or Moon but it's pretty much the same game with a worse story but features harder battles. This is the least expansive third(?) version since yellow on the gameboy.
    Also the game tries to stop you at every single turn with annoying dialog (I love RPGs but these characters say nothing noteworthy and don't let you progress into towns and are more roadblocks than plot advances)    … Expand
  17. AdamantNature
    Apr 17, 2018
    10
    One of the best pokemon games, specially for experienced players, as it's very good for finding rare pokemon, training their ivs, get move tutors etc
  18. Hell-Sing-Champ
    Apr 12, 2018
    10
    Harder and more dynamic than SM. Includes new pokemon and characters not before present in the game. The beginning is also changed and quicker, with you getting your starter way earlier instead of during the festival held by the Kahuna. This change and many others made the game way more dynamic at the beginning, with the "middle" improved with things like the new surfing parts of the gameHarder and more dynamic than SM. Includes new pokemon and characters not before present in the game. The beginning is also changed and quicker, with you getting your starter way earlier instead of during the festival held by the Kahuna. This change and many others made the game way more dynamic at the beginning, with the "middle" improved with things like the new surfing parts of the game and extra quests, and the ending getting a whole new boss fight in a new area.… Expand
  19. Hel8080
    Apr 11, 2018
    10
    Between the story, high variety of pokemon for team building and postgame, this is the most complete pokemon game. Many changes but for the better.
  20. Fro_Ring
    Apr 10, 2018
    10
    Very close to be the best pokemon games ever made. Lots of extras, fixings and improvements over the previous ones. Longer story too, and thats without even mentioning the online battles and trading.
  21. Derex20
    Apr 10, 2018
    0
    Unless you haven't played the original game, this is a waste of time. Buy it when it doesn't cost $40
  22. POK95
    Mar 22, 2018
    9
    THE HARDEST POKÉMON GAME EVER. I've loved it. It adds great things to the original games, new beginning, ending and places to discover. The best part its the postgame, and the challenge that it can be for a experienced player like me. I have loved the difficulty, it's just the best at that for me.

    But, for me, it destroys a bit the Sun and Moon original story, and that's why I only put    THE HARDEST POKÉMON GAME EVER. I've loved it. It adds great things to the original games, new beginning, ending and places to discover. The best part its the postgame, and the challenge that it can be for a experienced player like me. I have loved the difficulty, it's just the best at that for me.

    But, for me, it destroys a bit the Sun and Moon original story, and that's why I only put it a 9. For me Sun and Moon were the best Pokémon games until now with the best story, and I was wishing Ultrasun and Ultramoon to improve them adding new things but they removed great scenes from the story and changed Lusamine personality and now she is not as great as it was in SM. But well, the games still being great and i still loving Gen VII, for me the best gen until now.

    I want this difficulty, with great story and designs, such as SM, for the new Switch games.    … Expand
  23. Danpararamph
    Mar 16, 2018
    10
    One of the best pokemon game in the series in some years. While an ultra version of the originals, it changes more than Emerald, Platinum or Crystal ever amounted to, in fact, it changes more than all of them combined.
  24. Kenmei
    Mar 16, 2018
    7
    What could have been the perfect send off for the pokemon games on the 3DS consoles ends up bringing very little to the table that wasn't already in the previous Sun/Moon games. It almost feels like the devs decided that just doing the bare minimum for the sequel style games would suffice because of how well the first games were received. And these are definitely the most technicallyWhat could have been the perfect send off for the pokemon games on the 3DS consoles ends up bringing very little to the table that wasn't already in the previous Sun/Moon games. It almost feels like the devs decided that just doing the bare minimum for the sequel style games would suffice because of how well the first games were received. And these are definitely the most technically advanced Pokemon games to date. However, there's very little actually added to the game to set it apart from the original Sun/Moon. And with a history of changing the sequel style games up so much that they are almost brand new games in the past, (like Black/White 2 or even with the old Crystal game), this just seems pathetic in comparison. The game gets a 7 because the original Sun/Moon were awesome and really moved the series forward in technology. If you own the original games, there's really no reason to buy this one. It's basically the same thing.… Expand
  25. SirMoggy
    Mar 14, 2018
    0
    They copied sm's story, added some edgy taco thing and then made it so that half the post game isn't accessible unless you give up some good shinies. I got bored playing through the first quarter of this thing, probrably because it's just sm again, which I'd played through about 3 times now! They centre the whole story around the edgy rock and then expect us to be surprised when they showThey copied sm's story, added some edgy taco thing and then made it so that half the post game isn't accessible unless you give up some good shinies. I got bored playing through the first quarter of this thing, probrably because it's just sm again, which I'd played through about 3 times now! They centre the whole story around the edgy rock and then expect us to be surprised when they show us the forms we saw in the trailers everywhere. The fight between edgy piece of glass and The box legendary was so lazily done, I could do it better on scratch. They didn't think about how it would make sense for a Pokemon battle, because both of the legendaries have some kind of advantage over Bl2 black box. They are running out of ideas and are trying to get as much money as they can before people realise how dead Pokemon is.… Expand
  26. sans_is_Clyde__
    Mar 11, 2018
    10
    As the successor to SM, it has positive changes galore, most are late in the story or in the post-game, the biggest in pokemon history, but the beginning is full of differences, and there's new details and secrets to find between trials, so I never got bored. If you are thinking about getting either version. go on and Do it, they are undebatedly some of the best pokemon in over
  27. BasilZero
    Mar 10, 2018
    10
    Game: Pokemon Ultra Sun
    Genre: RPG
    Developer: GameFreak Publisher: Nintendo System: Nintendo 3DS (3DS) Year of Release: 2017 Length of Playthrough: 40 Hours Total Score: 95/100 Value Score: 9.5/10 • Story: 9/10 • Characters: 10/10 • GamePlay: 9/10 • Graphics: 9/10 • Sound: 9/10 • Music: 10/10 • Length: 10/10 • Replay Value: 10/10 • Player Value: 9/10 Pros +Island    Game: Pokemon Ultra Sun
    Genre: RPG
    Developer: GameFreak
    Publisher: Nintendo
    System: Nintendo 3DS (3DS)
    Year of Release: 2017
    Length of Playthrough: 40 Hours

    Total Score: 95/100
    Value Score: 9.5/10

    • Story: 9/10
    • Characters: 10/10
    • GamePlay: 9/10
    • Graphics: 9/10
    • Sound: 9/10
    • Music: 10/10
    • Length: 10/10
    • Replay Value: 10/10
    • Player Value: 9/10

    Pros
    +Island Trials from the original Sun have been expanded with additional trail quests
    +Region is split into 4 islands with a Hawaiian theme
    +Some first gen pokemon have new forms with new typing just like the original Sun
    +Pokedex now Rotom-Pokedex which talks with you and splits entries into 4 categories (for each island) and the entire region
    +QR Scanner allows players to scan in data of pokemon that they have not caught
    +New battle type called Battle Royal where it allows you to do a 4 way free for all battle
    +Z-Moves bring a new way in battling allowing you to do special moves in a cinematic cutscene, this replaces mega evolution - further expansion of Z-moves in Ultra Sun
    +Poke-rides are a new feature which allow you to use certain pokemon to traverse the region, this makes surf, flying, strength obsolete as HMs (there are no more HMs)
    +Hyper training returns
    +Festival Plaza allows players to see other players and interact with them for battle or trade, they can access the GTS here as well. Festival coins can be obtained here by interacting with characters which can be used to increase the rank of your festival plaza
    +Poke Pelago is a new feature which allows you to create your own island to have your PC stored pokemon to find items, discover wild pokemon and to even raise levels and stats.
    +81 new pokemon (Same as Pokemon Sun)
    +Main story is expanded and introduces some new characters compared to the original Sun version
    +Episode Rainbow Rocket (RR) gives a side story featuring villains from past games

    Cons
    -No more gyms (replaced with Island challenges)
    -No HM moves/field moves
    -No Bicycle
    -FPS gets lowered in horde battles
    -No National Pokedex    … Expand
  28. LawsofLeftover
    Mar 3, 2018
    10
    The whimsical music, characters, story, new pokemon etc of SM is back with more additions in a way more complete region, there's way more to do,explore,discover,achieve and go out of your way in Alola this time compare to before. As a long time fan who played since the first gens, I give it a 10/10 and recommend it. In fact since it's a better version of Sun and Moon, I recommend it overThe whimsical music, characters, story, new pokemon etc of SM is back with more additions in a way more complete region, there's way more to do,explore,discover,achieve and go out of your way in Alola this time compare to before. As a long time fan who played since the first gens, I give it a 10/10 and recommend it. In fact since it's a better version of Sun and Moon, I recommend it over any previous pokemon.… Expand
  29. shooreanna
    Mar 1, 2018
    10
    These versions are the most exciting pokemon game I play in years, with a good story too. In the Nintendo 3ds, this is without competition the best game with the ""pokemon"" name on it
  30. SSJSSKuririn
    Mar 1, 2018
    10
    Not only this game improve in all that Sun and Moon versions from the previous year created, but it also has a much better post-game, with a lot more (and better) to do, from catching legends, to exploring new worlds, to a whole new plotline that didn't even existed in Sun/Moon yet, to many returning characters from all previous games (not just Sun/Moon) making this one of the best pokemonNot only this game improve in all that Sun and Moon versions from the previous year created, but it also has a much better post-game, with a lot more (and better) to do, from catching legends, to exploring new worlds, to a whole new plotline that didn't even existed in Sun/Moon yet, to many returning characters from all previous games (not just Sun/Moon) making this one of the best pokemon games in the franchise many years.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best 3DS Game of 2017
1
#1 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2017
16
#16 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 59 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 59
  3. Negative: 0 out of 59
  1. RPGamer
    Apr 2, 2018
    80
    Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon is still fantastic, especially since the original was a major shake-up to the decades-old Pokémon formula. The update may be overly samey to someone who has already played Sun & Moon, but it does improve upon the base game in several ways. The new version is a must for newcomers to either this current generation or to Pokémon in general.
    Read full review
  2. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 16, 2018
    80
    Pokémons improved in a visual and gameplay way. Devs could let go the monster management, but otherwise the changes are definitely for the better. If you have a weak spot for Pokémons, this is your game. [Issue#282]
  3. Nintendojo
    Feb 15, 2018
    91
    Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are the definitive versions of Generation VII. Fans that already made the trip to the Alola region might find that it takes a while to get to the juiciest new additions to the game, but diehard Pokémon fans and those that held off on Sun and Moon will find a lot to enjoy. The games are truly robust experiences, and the new additions help flesh out a game that was already quite strong. I could detail more about the story changes and enhancements, Mantine surfing or Team Rainbow Rocket, but not much else needs to be said. This is a terrific Pokémon experience that has only gotten better.
    Read full review
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