Gen 82019· Nintendo Switch
Pokémon Sword & Shield
The Galar debut on Switch, introducing Dynamax, the open Wild Area, and Max Raid Battles — later expanded by two DLC areas.
Region
Galar
Generation
Gen 8
Released
2019
Platform
Nintendo Switch
Highlights
- Dynamax and Gigantamax
- The open Wild Area
- Max Raid Battles
- Galarian regional forms
Galar Pokédex
Every Pokémon obtainable in Sword & Shield — 400 in this dex.
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.
Grookey
Thwackey
Rillaboom
Scorbunny
Raboot
Cinderace
Sobble
Drizzile
Inteleon
Skwovet
Greedent
Rookidee
Corvisquire
Corviknight
Blipbug
Dottler
Orbeetle
Nickit
Galar map
Every explorable location in Galar, colour-coded by type — hover or tap a stop to see which Pokémon you can catch there.
Route 1Route 2Route 3Route 4Route 5Route 6Route 7Route 8Route 9Route 10Axew's EyeBallonleaBattle TowerBridge FieldCirchesterDappled GroveDusty BowlEast Lake AxewellFields of HonorFreezingtonGalar MineGalar Mine No. 2Giant's MirrorGiant's SeatGlimwood TangleHammerlockeHammerlocke HillsHulburyLake of OutrageMaster Dojo
RoutesCaves & InteriorsWater & CoastForests & FieldsLandmarks
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
1
The Isle of Armor
Jun 2020A martial-arts island with the legendary Kubfu and Urshifu.
2
The Crown Tundra
Oct 2020A snowy expanse with Dynamax Adventures and the legendary Calyrex.