By: Michael Watts, NDG Special Contributor
Gotta catch e`m all, a popular catchphrase around the Nintendo corporation and the motto for the Pokémon franchise. Upon growing 20 years strong, you would think Nintendo would stop with the production of the Pokémon franchise, right? If you thought so, then you are highly mistaken.
According to Nintendo’s E 3 website, the next Pokémon games will be known as Sun and Moon and they will revolve around the legendary sun Pokémon Solgaleo for sun version and the legendary moon Pokémon Lunala for moon version.
Serebii.net, a Pokémon information website gives more in-depth information about the upcoming games. Pokémon Sun and Moon will take place in the Alola region.
The Alola region is an island based region with multiple islands to explore. The region has been heavily designed to resemble the islands of Hawaii.
In the upcoming games, new trainers have their share pick between Rowlet the Grass Quill Pokémon, Litten the Fire Cat Pokémon and Popplio the Sea Lion Pokémon as their starter. Once they have decided on what starter they want, their journey through the Alola Region is about to unfold.
Throughout the game, the trainer will catch and battle wild Pokémon, making his or hers even stronger. As the trainer progresses through the game, they will often find themselves battling gym leaders. A gym leader is a boss in the game. When the trainer defeats the gym leader, the leader will award the trainer with a gym badge. The gym badge is proof that the trainer was victorious at defeating the gym leader.
Once a trainer has traveled across the region and has earned eight badges, they are then allowed to challenge the Elite 4 as well as the champion at the Pokémon league.
Aside from trainer’s meeting new Pokémon like Solgaleo, Lunala and the three starters, Rowlet, Litten and Popplio, some of the franchise’s favorites are appearing in the game as well like the ghostly Gengar, the ever changing Eevee, mighty Salamence, the balance of nature Zygarde and the mascot of Pokémon Pikachu.
On June 14, Nintendo held a press conference, showcasing some new Pokémon for the games. Some of the new Pokémon that were shown are Pikipek the woodpecker Pokémon, Yungoos the Loitering Pokémon, Grubbin the Larva Pokémon and Magearna the Artificial Pokémon.
As of today, Nintendo has announced that Pokémon Sun and Moon will make a worldwide release on Nov. 18 for Japan and North America and Nov. 23 for all of Europe.
