In addition to revealing the evolved forms of the three staring Pokémon, the Pokémon Company has provided additional details for upcoming demo, battle and trading features, Festival Plaza, and more on Pokémon Sun & Moon’s official website.

Play the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version

Beginning October 18, Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version will be available in Nintendo eShop. This is your chance to meet the Pokémon that can be found in November 18’s Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon! Ash-Greninja, the Pokémon that appears with the hero Ash in the animated TV series Pokémon the Series: XYZ, will also appear in this game as a member of your team—you can adventure together!

Bring Ash-Greninja into Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon

You can bring this Greninja, which is able to turn into Ash-Greninja, to your full version of Pokémon Sun orPokémon Moon (after launch) once you’ve completed your adventure together in the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version.

A Poké Ball containing a Greninja from a certain someone. An adventure—separate from those in Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon—is about to begin!

Greninja’s appearance is changed by the bond phenomenon.

Ash-Greninja

CATEGORY

Ninja Pokémon

TYPE

Water/Dark

HEIGHT

4’11”

WEIGHT

88.2 lbs.

ABILITY

Battle Bond

Ash-Greninja has powered up thanks to the strength of its bonds with Ash. This is the form Greninja takes when it has gained new power due to the miraculous occurrence known as the bond phenomenon. This can be brought on by the bonds between people and Pokémon. It seems that it has only known to have occurred once—several hundred years ago.

Ash-Greninja’s leg strength has been enhanced compared to an ordinary Greninja, making it difficult to see because of the speed at which it can move. It takes its enemies out in a flash! It becomes able to make giant Water Shurikens on its back, and it can throw them in rapid succession.

Greninja that can become Ash-Greninja have an Ability that no Pokémon has ever had before—Battle Bond. The Battle Bond Ability triggers this Pokémon’s form change to Ash-Greninja after it causes an opponent’s Pokémon to faint. When the battle ends, the Pokémon returns to its original Greninja form. This form is only for battles where it needs to break the limits!

Two Ways to Download

Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version can be downloaded in two ways.

Download it from Nintendo’s Homepage

If you log in to the Nintendo homepage using the Nintendo account linked to your Nintendo 3DS system’s Nintendo Network ID, you can download Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version to your linked Nintendo 3DS system.

Please visit https://www.nintendo.com/games/3ds for more details on downloading software from the Nintendo homepage.

Download it from the Nintendo eShop

On a Nintendo 3DS system with a linked Nintendo Network ID, open the Nintendo eShop, and you can download Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version.

Please visit https://www.nintendo.com/games/3ds for more details on downloading software from the Nintendo eShop.

A New Version of the Global Link

The Pokémon Global Link, the website that links toPokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, is due to be updated and reopened on Friday, November 18, in sync with the launch of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon.

With the release of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, the Pokémon Global Link—the website that connects Pokémon players around the world—will end its current Pokémon Omega Ruby, Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, Pokémon X, and Pokémon Y service and will be updated to work with Pokémon Sun andPokémon Moon. New functions added in the update will let you enjoy Pokémon battles even more!

Rating Battles against Trainers around the World

Rating Battles are where the Trainers of the world battle with their favored Pokémon to decide who’s the strongest Trainer of all. After becoming a member of the Pokémon Global Link and registering your Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon game, you’ll be able to use the website. There will be some changes in the battle formats and methods with the update forPokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon. Details below!

Battle Rules

The three existing sets of battle rules for Rating Battles (Single, Double, Special), will be increased to four with the addition of a new set of battle rules for the Championships Battle format.

Single – Trainers send Pokémon into battle one at a time.

Double – Trainers send Pokémon into battle two at a time.

Special – Each season, a set of special rules takes effect, allowing Trainers to experience a form of battle different from the usual Single or Double Battles.

In a special Season 1, which will begin November 18, this special format is anticipated to be a Single Battle format where you’ll be able to participate with Pokémon that cannot take part under other battle rules: the Legendary Pokémon Solgaleo and Lunala, the Magearna that can be obtained through the QR Scanner, the Ash-Greninja obtainable through the Special Demo Version, and others!

New Rules for Championship Battles

The new fourth set of rules will allow Trainers to play year-round using the official rules set for the Pokémon World Championships, the competition that’s held every year to decide the world’s strongest Pokémon Trainers. You’ll be able to experience the WCS2017 rules right from the start, beginning on Friday, November 18.

The main points of the Pokémon WCS 2017 rules are

Double Battle format is limited to Pokémon that appear in the Alola Region Pokédex (excluding some Legendary and Mythical Pokémon).

Use of Mega Stones is not allowed.

Only Pokémon that can be obtained in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon may be entered.

“Your Time” System for Rating Battles

A new system being introduced to the battle time settings is “Your Time.” When using this method of time accounting, players will have a maximum of 60 seconds each turn to select a move or Pokémon, and they will also each be awarded 10 minutes of “Your Time.” Under these rules, if a player runs out of their 10 minutes before the battle ends, that player loses the match. This will mean matches can be decided more quickly than in the past, allowing players to enjoy thrilling battles.

Note: The exclusion of certain Legendary and Mythical Pokémon from Single and Double Battle regulations remains the same as in the past.

Note: In addition to the Pokémon obtainable in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, Pokémon obtainable in Pokémon X, Pokémon Y, Pokémon Omega Ruby, and Pokémon Alpha Sapphirewill also become eligible to use under the regulations for Single and Double Rating Battles for a set time after the update to Pokémon Bank in January 2017.

Note: At a later date, special rules are anticipated for Rating Battles and Live Competitions that will allow the use of Pokémon brought into Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon from the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console software titles Pokémon Red, Pokémon Blue, and Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition.

Battle with Other Players’ Pokémon

In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, you can register Pokémon that you often use in Battle Teams, which can contain anywhere from one to six Pokémon. You can set up a maximum of six Battle Teams, and the same Pokémon can be registered to several Battle Teams simultaneously.

When the Pokémon Global Link is updated forPokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, a new feature will be available—QR Rental Teams. Players will be able to publicly share their own teams and to use Battle Teams designed by other players. Public Battle Teams can be used by scanning in their QR Code patterns from the Pokémon Global Link. You can take part in Link Battles and certain Rating Battles using a Battle Team you’ve rented. You may even be able to try battling using the Pokémon of expert players, like the victors of the World Championships!

Try to chalk up victories with powerful teams that include Legendary Pokémon!

Global Missions Are Starting!

Global missions are limited-time events that give Trainers around the world a shared mission via Festival Plaza in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, and they will be held at regular intervals. The theme of the first global mission will be “Catch a lot of Pokémon!” It’s expected to go live in late November. What’s it all about? Why, this mission is about catching a lot of Pokémon—regardless of their species!

The number of Pokémon needed, along with other goals to achieve, will be announced on the Pokémon Global Link immediately before the mission goes live. Keep an eye peeled for the reward you can receive for completing the mission—and remember to invite your friends to join in, too!

Note: You must register your game on the PGL to see your global mission results reflected.

Note: To help celebrate the opening of the PGL, we hope to give out a special gift to all PGL members after our first successful global mission!

Mega Evolutions Returns In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon

A select number of Pokémon were able to Mega Evolve in Pokémon Omega Ruby, Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, Pokémon X, and Pokémon Y. As long as you’re in possession of the proper Mega Stone, any of these Mega-Evolving Pokemon that can be caught in the Alola region will be able to Mega Evolve inPokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, as well. The Mega Stones for Pokémon that appear in the Alola region may be received from people in the game or obtained from special shops.

What Is Mega Evolution?

Mega Evolution is an Evolution that goes beyond all previous Pokémon Evolutions. Pokémon that Mega Evolve temporarily unleash the power hidden within them, tapping into a strength that would be beyond imagining in regular Evolution.

There are two conditions that must be fulfilled for Mega Evolution to occur. First, Trainers must wear a special item called a Key Stone, while Pokémon must hold a specific Mega Stone for their particular species. Second, a Trainer must have a strong bond with his or her Pokémon in order for these two items to resonate with each other.

Mega Evolution can only be triggered once per battle, and deciding which Pokémon to Mega Evolve—and when—can be crucial in deciding the outcome of a battle.

Poké Pelago—A Paradise for Pokémon in PC Boxes

In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, there’s a feature known as Poké Pelago, which Pokémon that have been placed in Boxes can enjoy. Poké Pelago consists of a variety of isles where Pokémon can go exploring, play on athletic equipment, and enjoy other fun activities. If you send many Pokémon to Poké Pelago, you can develop the facilities on your isles—and develop new kinds of isles as well. As these isles are developed and increase in number, you’ll be able to do things like obtain items or raise your Pokémon.

Pokémon visiting Isle Abeens, which you can visit from the start, may sometimes choose to join your party. A Pokémon that displays a heart icon in the bubble above its head has taken a liking to you!

In Isle Aphun, which you can use once you develop it, you may be able to obtain valuable items.

Join the Fun at the Festival Plaza

In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, communication features such as battling and trading are all gathered together in Festival Plaza. This is a place where the festivities never stop, as Pokémon Trainers from around the world meet and mingle.

As you progress through your adventure, you’ll become able to use Festival Plaza, where you can welcome other people and take requests to keep things hopping. Talk to your visitors to liven things up!

Show visitors around so they can enjoy the festival!

Festival Plaza Owner Captain Sophocles

Connect with Other Players

People playing Pokémon Sun orPokémon Moon near you and players from around the world who are connected to the Internet will visit Festival Plaza, and you can enjoy playing with them using a variety of communication features, including battling and trading.

You can easily conduct battles or trades from Festival Plaza0.

Inside the castle in the middle of Festival Plaza, you can connect to the Pokémon Global Link and change the theme of your Festival Plaza

Shop with Festival Coins

By talking to people and listening to their requests, you can receive Festival Coins, which you can spend in Festival Plaza. There are all kinds of cool stores in Festival Plaza, such as goody shops where you can get deals on items, bouncy houses for Pokémon to train in, and dye houses where you can dye your clothes new colors.

The rank of your Festival Plaza increases based on the number of Festival Coins you gather. As its rank goes up, you’ll receive rewards—and the things that you can do in Festival Plaza will also increase!

Dye clothes your favorite colors at dye houses.

Rare items are sold at goody shops.

Tackle Missions as a Team

As your Festival Plaza’s rank goes up, you’ll gain the ability to host missions, where multiple players can try to complete a certain goal together. Missions can be attempted with other players you connect to via local wireless or the Internet. It also seems that global missions will sometimes be held, in which everyone playing Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Mooncan work together to achieve a goal!

Take on missions together!

Take on a mission with all the world’s players. The scale is off the charts!



Pokémon Sun & Moon will release for Nintendo 3DS in Japan and North America on November 18, and in Europe on November 23, 2016.