Pokemon Sword / Shield Dual Pack

 Switch
Pokemon Sword / Shield Dual Pack Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 86 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
4.4

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 404 Ratings

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  • Summary: A new generation of Pokémon has come to the Nintendo Switch system. Become a Pokémon Trainer, embark on a new journey in the new Galar region, and unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta! Explore the Wild Area, a vast expanse of land where the player can freelyA new generation of Pokémon has come to the Nintendo Switch system. Become a Pokémon Trainer, embark on a new journey in the new Galar region, and unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta! Explore the Wild Area, a vast expanse of land where the player can freely control the camera. And participate in Max Raid Battles** in which players will face off against gigantic and super-strong Pokémon known as Dynamax Pokémon. Begin your adventure by choosing one of three new partner Pokémon: Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble and encounter new and familiar Pokémon as you catch, battle, and trade. Players can control the camera and explore the vast areas around them in the Wild Area. Team up with other players locally or online in the new multiplayer co-op Max Raid Battles. Trainers who possess the special item Dynamax Band can Dynamax their own Pokémon. Get ready for the next Pokémon adventure in the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield games.

    * Catch, battle, and trade Pokémon on an all-new adventure in the Galar region
    * Choose from three new partner Pokémon and encounter never-before-seen Pokémon
    * Unravel the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta!
    * Players can control the camera in the vast Wild Area
    * Team up with other Trainers to participate in Max Raid Battles**!
    * Battle wild Dynamax Pokémon in Max Raid Battles and try catching them**

    ** Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online play. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. nintendo.com/switch-online **    … Expand
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Pokémon Shield - Meet Galarian Ponyta Gameplay Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 86
  3. Negative: 0 out of 86
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 28, 2020
    100
    Another great game in the Pokémon series. It holds back when it comes to technical design and it doesn´t offer the opportunity to catch the old familiar faces, but fortunately most of the new additions are more than satisfactory for many hours of gameplay. [Issue#300]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Vooks
    Nov 25, 2019
    90
    Pokémon Sword and Shield are not without their problems. But beyond the rubbish online play and uninspired late-game routes, and beyond the controversy surrounding them, they’re simply the most fun I’ve ever had with Pokémon. The story is wonderful, the creatures themselves are all fantastic and adorable, and Max Raids will absolutely never not be great fun. And if you can overlook the fact that these games aren’t the generational leap that some expected, you’re sure to find something special in them.
  3. Game Informer
    Nov 13, 2019
    88
    Pokémon Sword & Shield are strong first attempts for the series’ full transition to consoles. While some frustrations hold it back from true legendary status, this new generation proves the Pokémon franchise is still great more than two decades after its debut.
  4. Vandal
    Nov 13, 2019
    80
    Sword and Shield are a lot of fun and, at the same time, it’s also a disappointing evolution of the series. The core gameplay still works great, but Game Freak needs to listen to the constructive feedback and live up to the expectations of the franchise.
  5. God is a Geek
    Nov 24, 2019
    80
    Sword & Shield is a really tricky Pokémon entry to pigeonhole. It retains the old Pokémon charm, but it's not without flaws.
  6. DualShockers
    Nov 26, 2019
    75
    Pokemon Sword and Shield are a lot of fun, even if the series is experiencing growing pains with the transition to home consoles.
  7. CD-Action
    Jan 10, 2020
    50
    Everything in the game is unpolished and once again there is absolutely nothing interesting storywise; no mystery and no lead concept that would let the players explore the world by themselves. It’s the same level design, same designers’ tricks and the same sub-par balance which I know all too well form the previous games. [01/2020, p.76]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 93 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 126
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 126
  3. Negative: 92 out of 126
  1. Fizalpha
    Nov 15, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So much unjust hate for the best Pokemon game in the entire series, there is no other Pokemon game that even comes 10% close to this one, it's everything you'd want for both competitive and casual, no need to breed or do monotonous things anymore, you can change personalities with discs, find a Pokemon you like with great IVs but horrible personality? Hold onto it and change it with a disc, and you never have to give up your hard earned Pokemon.

    The Wild Area is the best thing to ever be done in a Pokemon game, with online co-op play and changing biomes rotating what you can catch, along with a bunch of special things to do and see, there's literally nothing I can find wrong with this game when compared to my last favorite game which was White. The Gym leader battles are fun and exciting, with minigames before each one, or during them in some cases...

    You actually feel like a Pokemon trainer in this game, from the anime, and there's so much detail in every little part of this game... Yes half the Pokemon are missing, but there's more than enough to make up for it in the actual GAMEPLAY and what is there is great and all competitively viable.    … Expand
  2. I_Trust_In_GF
    Jan 29, 2022
    10
    Beautiful and precious, is the only way to describe the Galar region
    User evaluations in general give a very distorted view of this game. It    Beautiful and precious, is the only way to describe the Galar region
    User evaluations in general give a very distorted view of this game. It really very fun and ideal for hanging out with the childrens.    … Expand
  4. alio828
    Nov 15, 2019
    5
    Early access game.

    Lots of potential, poorly executed. It is myself to blame that I gave my money to this insufficient game developer again,    Early access game.

    Lots of potential, poorly executed.

    It is myself to blame that I gave my money to this insufficient game developer again, so I am giving generous score to this insufficient thing.    … Expand
  5. WeihanZhang
    Nov 15, 2019
    1
    My friend I am advise please avoid bad game. Not allow purchase support Game Freak Masuda insect bottom coomer.
  6. pia-chu
    Nov 17, 2019
    0
    Odio que no tenga la pokedex nacional y que no pueda transferir los pokemones de mis juegos anteriores, muy enojada por eso. Además, gráficasOdio que no tenga la pokedex nacional y que no pueda transferir los pokemones de mis juegos anteriores, muy enojada por eso. Además, gráficas no dignas de la consola, el juego es caro y se acaba en 30 horas. No lo vale, ya no seguiré comprando más juegos en preventa… Expand
  7. KinMonteste
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    i love pokemon, thats why this hurt me so much, i dont care about pokedex, or metagame, or anything, i came for a game, and for an INDIE GAMEi love pokemon, thats why this hurt me so much, i dont care about pokedex, or metagame, or anything, i came for a game, and for an INDIE GAME this still medyocre 5/10 maybe 4/10, but for a BILLIONAIRE COMPANY THAT IS THE MOST MONEY MAKER TOY COMPANY EVER, THAT ALSO HAVE MANGA, MOVIES, ANIME, TOYS AND 8 GENERATIONS BEFORE THIS is 0/10… Expand
  8. GFLied
    Nov 15, 2019
    0
    From cut Pokemon and moves to cheap graphics, this game does not feel like it was made in 2019. It feels like a budget title as well.

See all 126 User Reviews

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73
#73 Best Switch Game of 2019
15
#15 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019

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