Securing the longevity of the most recent instalments past their original 2019 release of Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield on the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo and The Pokemon Company will be expanding the Galar Region with two expansion packs – The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra. Each of these expansions will feature new legendary and returning Pokemon, a new themed area to explore, a furthering of the narrative, and much more.
To be released by the end of June 2020, The Isle of Armor will be the first expansion released. The Isle of Armor is an island full of environments from wave-swept beaches to sand dunes. The lush natural surroundings are home to many Pokemon not found on the mainland. Also of note is the dojo which “specializes in some very particular training styles”. Your trainer and their Pokemon will take up an apprenticeship at this dojo, and train to become even stronger.
Through this training, you will be able to unlock the Gigantamax forms of Rillaboom, Cinderace and Inteleon – the final evolutions of the game’s three starter Pokemon. Seaking, Chansey, Zorua and Azurill are a few of the confirmed classic Pokemon to make a return in this expansion.
Moving from the tropics to a snow-swept environment, The Crown Tundra will be taking trainers to a frigid climate in Q3 2020. In this chilly area, with its jagged winter mountains, people live in small communities where they support and rely on one another. The narrative will see your trainer appointed as leader of an exploration team tasked with investigating the reaches of this frozen land.
Classic Pokemon including Elekid, Sealeo and Nidorino will be making their Pokemon Sword and Shield debut in this expansion. In total between the two expansions, more than 200 cut Pokemon will be added to the Pokedex. Granted it is not the full national dex as some would have hoped, but at least they are making a start on (hopefully) meeting that number by the end of their development cycle. This expansion will also bring a new cooperative play mode where you can enter and explore Pokemon Dens with other trainers..
Nintendo is offering two expansion passes containing both the expansions – one for Pokemon Sword and one for Pokemon Shield. You can now purchase these from the Nintendo eShop or download codes through participating retailers.
Also announced was that the companion app Pokemon Home is set to launch next month. A successor to the Pokemon Bank on the Nintendo 3DS, this will allow players to store and transfer Pokemon between games – with expectations that support will remain for all games Pokemon Black and Pokemon White onwards. No further information outside of this launch window announcement have been confirmed, but I for one look forward to bringing some of my long-time Pokemon partners into Sword and Shield.
For a closer look at the expansions, you can watch Nintendo’s full 20-minute livestream below.
