The Pokémon Company and Nintendo unveiled the Switch’s first true, all-new Pokémon RPG with Sword and Shield. We learned about its starters, the new region, and a lot more, but there were lots of little hidden things in the footage, as well. Here are 15 things we noticed.
The starting town seems to be obsessed with Fletchlings
Click image thumbnails to view larger version
It’s safe to assume this is Sword and Shield’s starting area since it is the first area shown, but it also has a big road sign that says 01 in it. You can see birds flying in the sky, which are probably Fletchlings who call that area their home. There is also the Fletchling weather vane, and it looks like there are some nests on the chimney in the background.
Backpacks!
Trainers usually carry a small purse or messenger bag with them, but here the trainers have full-on backpacks. I doubt it will change gameplay dramatically, but it does make more sense considering the amount of stuff you are usually carrying by the end of the game.
Male and Female avatar options
Click image thumbnails to view larger version
This has become standard practice for Pokémon over the years, but we’re happy to see it return.
There is a Switch console in your trainer’s room
It’s there in a blink-and-you-will-miss-it cameo (hence the mediocre screenshot – apologies), but there is a Switch console in your bedroom. Historically, your trainer’s bedroom has always had the most recent Nintendo home console in their room. It looks like Sword and Shield is no exception.
There are wheelbarrows everywhere
Click image thumbnails to view larger version
We’re not sure what that’s about, honestly.
What are those weird rocks?
Click image thumbnails to view larger version
There are rocks with strange symbols on them all over the footage. We’re not sure what this means, but it might have something to do with…
The big geoglyph
Again, we’re not sure what it means, but it looks cool.
Random battles return
As near as we can tell, it looks like random battles make a return, which is disappointing considering seeing wild Pokémon grazing was one of our favorite new elements of Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee.
Trainer battles return, as well
Click image thumbnails to view larger version
This is an obvious thing that is well highlighted in the trailer, but I wanted to include it just in case you missed it.
The camera is still locked
It also looks like the camera is still out of your control and stays locked on an overhead position.
Trains!
There’s one right there. Hopefully you can ride it. Or steal from it. You can also see a handful of shops in the bottom of the picture, too.
The starters all seem to work together
Click here to watch embedded media
The three starters, Scorbunny, Sobble, and Grookey, all seem to have complementary abilities. In the footage we saw a Scorbunny set fire to some grass, a Sobble put out the fire, and a Grookey restore the grass. Maybe this is a hint at some kind of teamwork mechanic?
It also looks like Sobble can turn invisible?
Here are the confirmed Pokémon so far
Click image thumbnails to view larger version
The trailer showed off the three new starters (which you just read about), but also confirmed a lot of returning Pokémon. Here’s everyone we saw.
- Scorbunny
- Sobble
- Grookey
- Pikachu
- Minccino
- Wishiwashi
- Grubbin
- Rowlet
- Zweilous
- Meowstic
- Wailmer
- Flygon
- Braviary
- Lucario
- Tyranitar
- Munchlax
There are professional and amateur arenas
Click image thumbnails to view larger version
The footage of the game ends with a trainer wearing a glove (so it won’t mess it up their Poké Ball throwing hand, I guess) entering a huge professional arena. The logo on their shoulder is seen elsewhere in the footage, which hints at a new kind of sponsored league, perhaps? Along with the big arena, you can also see a number of smaller arenas, too. Those aren’t new to Pokémon, but you don’t often see them presented that way.
The Galar region kind of looks like a sword (if you squint)
This is a pieced together shot of the Galar region from the footage. Speculation online points to it being based on Great Britain, which makes a lot of sense. The map also makes it seem like you will be heading north during the duration of the game, which is interesting. Arguably, the most interesting part, though, is if you consider the spire at the top the handle and the giant wall below it a hilt, the whole region kind of looks like a sword. It even kind of comes to a point at the bottom.
There was more hidden in the trailer and additional footage, so let us know if you caught anything. For more on this morning’s reveal, head here and here.
Source: Game Informer 15 Things You Might Have Missed In The Pokémon Sword And Shield Announcement