Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon were released on 17 November 2017 on Nintendo 3DS. The last main-series games on that console, they offer an alternate version of the Sun and Moon adventure in the Alola region. The first half of the journey remains familiar, but the second half is entirely rewritten around Necrozma, the Pokémon that devours light, and the Ultra Recon Squad, who come from a city plunged into darkness.

These versions are also the most generous of their generation: a regional Pokédex of 403 Pokémon, new Ultra Beasts, the Ultra Warp Ride, which gives access to almost every legendary Pokémon released up to that point, Episode RR against Team Rainbow Rocket, the Battle Agency and even Mantine Surf. If you are discovering Alola today, this is where you should start.

The guide

This guide brings together new pages and nearly one hundred and fifty articles published on Pokémon France since the game was announced in 2017.

What changes compared with Sun and Moon

  • The story: the Ultra Recon Squad appears right from the introduction, several trials change, Mina’s trial is added on Poni Island, and Necrozma becomes the main antagonist, all the way to the battle against Ultra Necrozma in Ultra Megalopolis.
  • The Pokémon: 403 Pokémon in the regional Pokédex instead of 302, four new Ultra Beasts, the Mythical Pokémon Zeraora and the Dusk Form of Lycanroc.
  • The post-game: Episode RR, the Ultra Recon Squad missions, the Ultra Warp Ride and its legendary Pokémon, the Battle Agency and the hundred Totem Stickers.
  • The League: Molayne replaces Hala on the Elite Four.

Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon?

The story is identical. The versions differ in their exclusive Pokémon, including Alolan Vulpix (Ultra Sun) and Alolan Sandshrew (Ultra Moon), in the legendary Pokémon available in the Ultra Wormhole, and in the Totem Pokémon. Our article Differences between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon gives the full list.

Playing it today

The game exists only on the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS family of consoles. The 3DS eShop closed in March 2023 and online services in April 2024: you need a cartridge, and trades can now only be done locally. To keep your Pokémon on Switch, transfer them to Pokémon HOME via Pokémon Bank, which has been announced to close on 26 February 2027.