Pokémon Sword & Shield
The Galar debut on Switch, introducing Dynamax, the open Wild Area, and Max Raid Battles — later expanded by two DLC areas.
Open Galar Pokédex 
Explore the map In this game
400 Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex- Dynamax and Gigantamax
- The open Wild Area
- Max Raid Battles
- Galarian regional forms
Game details
- Region
- Galar
- Generation
- 8
- Released
- 2019
- Platform
- Nintendo Switch
Starter Pokémon
Cover Legendaries
Version differences
Zacian leads Sword and Zamazenta leads Shield, and each version has its own Gym Leaders and wild exclusives.
New Pokémon in Generation 8
96 Pokémon made their debut this generation.
Galar map
Explore the game map and find encounter locations for the version you are playing. Each map is labeled with its source edition.
Location markers are not available for this map edition yet. Browse the location directory to open individual areas.
47 encounter locations in Pokémon Sword
Open a location to see the encounter methods, levels and odds for this version.
Mechanics & features
What Generation 8 brought to the series.
Dynamax & Gigantamax
Pokémon grow giant for three turns, with special Gigantamax forms and G-Max moves.
The Wild Area
A large open zone with free camera control and Max Raid Battles.
Downloadable content
The Isle of Armor
Jun 2020A martial-arts island with the legendary Kubfu and Urshifu.
The Crown Tundra
Oct 2020A snowy expanse with Dynamax Adventures and the legendary Calyrex.