At the Nintendo Direct event dedicated to Pokémon, we got two new expansions to Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, breaking tradition of releasing new versions of practically the same game, which has always been the way in the series up until now. The two expansions will be available by purchasing the Expansion Pass, and is available to pre-order via the Nintendo eShop right now, which also bags you Pikachu and Eevee costumes to wear in-game.
The first expansion to release is The Isle of Armor, which adds a new area to the Galar Region. This island will add additional Pokémon to acquire, as well as sunny beaches, sand dunes, forest, caves and much more to explore. There will also be new characters to interact with, as well as new Gyms to do battle. The Isle of Armor will also feature its own exclusive Legendary Pokémon with Kubfu, a fighting-type Pokémon that can be evolved into Urshiifu. The Isle of Armor will release this coming June.
The second expansion to arrive this autumn is the frozen lands of The Crown Tundra. This new area of the Gala Region will also have its own unique environments to explore and of course, Pokémon, such as its own new Legendary known as Calyrex, a psychic/grass-type Pokémon. The Crown Tundra will also feature a new form of co-op mode with Dens, located beneath the lands, home to some popular Legendary Pokémon from throughout the series, some of which may be a little different then you remember.
In total the Expansion Pass will bring over 200 Pokémon, some new and some existing from the series, which will be tradable with friends, regardless of whether or not they own the Expansion Pass. With the expansions, you’ll also be able to Gigantamax Venusaur and Blastoise, as well as Sword and Shield Starter Pokémon, Sobble, Scorbunny and Grookey.
The Expansion Pas will cost £27/$30 and will include both The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra; however, if you own both Sword and Shield, you will need to purchase the Expansion Pass for each of those games, so one Expansion Pass purchase does not cover both games.
An update has also gone live which adds a Galarian Slowpoke to Sword and Shield, which you’ll be able to encounter by visiting Wedgehurst Station, where you’ll also be able to meet Avery, a new character that will feature in the new expansions.
Will you purchasing the Expansion Pass for Pokémon Sword and/or Pokémon Shield? Let us know across our social media channels. A remake of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team was also announced during the Nintendo Direct, you can find out more details here.