swordandshield

Sword and Shield are a pair of core Pokémon role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch. Released worldwide in November 2019, they form the eighth generation of the Pokémon video game series. The games take place in the Galar region, a fictional setting inspired by the United Kingdom, and introduce new Pokémon, new regional fashions, and updated battle mechanics.

Key new features include Dynamax and Gigantamax forms, which temporarily enlarge Pokémon during battles, granting access to powerful Max Moves. The Wild Area offers an open, player-controlled hub where players can encounter multiple weather conditions and raid battles known as Max Raid Battles. The games also expand character customization and introduce evolving gym challenges across the region.

At launch, Sword and Shield reused many existing Pokémon and omitted some from the National Dex, a decision that drew significant criticism. They were followed by two paid expansion packs, The Isle of Armor (June 2020) and The Crown Tundra (October 2020), which added new areas, additional Pokémon, and post-game content, effectively extending the endgame and completing certain storylines.

Reception was mixed but largely positive, with praise for visuals, battle systems, and the Wild Area, while criticism centered on performance on Nintendo Switch hardware and the initial removal of certain Pokémon from the regional Pokédex. The DLC expansions helped mitigate some concerns by expanding content and accessibility of endgame activities. Sword and Shield have sold well and influenced subsequent Pokémon titles with a continued emphasis on downloadable content and post-launch support.