Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

If you grew up loving Pokémon Sun and Moon, you’re in for a treat. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon take everything fans loved and crank it up. These two games expand the story in surprising ways.

They add new areas, new characters, and new mechanics. Whether you’re new to the Alola region or returning, there’s plenty here. This guide breaks down every major feature. Let’s dive into what makes these games special.

What Are Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon?

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon launched for the Nintendo 3DS. They build directly on the foundation of Pokémon Sun and Moon. Think of them as a remix, not a remake. The core story stays familiar, but new layers get added. You’ll notice changes almost immediately after starting.

A Quick Overview of the Alola Region

The Alola region consists of four natural islands. There’s also one artificial island built by humans. Each island has its own unique climate and culture. You’ll explore lush jungles, sandy beaches, and snowy mountains. The variety keeps every area feeling fresh and distinct.

This region also features Alolan variants of older Pokémon. These are Pokémon originally discovered back in the Kanto region. They’ve adapted to Alola’s tropical climate over time. For example, Alolan Vulpix turned into an Ice-type Pokémon. That kind of twist makes Alola feel alive and lived-in.

How Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon Differ from the Original

So what’s actually new here? Quite a lot, honestly. Here’s a quick breakdown of the major additions:

Feature	Pokémon Sun and Moon	Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
Story Depth	Standard Alola storyline	Expanded with Necrozma’s deeper arc
Post-Game Content	Limited	Team Rainbow Rocket added
Travel Mechanic	Standard surfing	Mantine Surf mini-game added
Battle Modes	Battle Tree only	Battle Agency added
Legendary Encounters	Fewer options	Ultra Beasts and Legendaries expand

Even returning players will find fresh surprises. The Ultra Wormhole alone changes how exploration feels.

Meet the Cast Team Skull and the Aether Foundation

Before tackling the bigger threats, you’ll meet familiar faces. Team Skull causes trouble early in your journey. They’re more comic relief than genuine villains, honestly. The Aether Foundation, on the other hand, hides darker secrets. You’ll also encounter the island’s guardian deities along the way. These mysterious Pokémon protect each island fiercely.

Trainer’s Tip: Don’t underestimate Team Skull’s antics early on. Their later role ties into bigger plot threads.

The Mysteries of the Ultra Wormhole

Few features feel as exciting as the Ultra Wormhole. This strange rift hovers above the Alola region. It serves as a gateway to other worlds. Through it, dangerous and powerful creatures occasionally emerge.

What Is the Ultra Wormhole?

Picture a tear in the fabric of reality. That’s essentially what the Ultra Wormhole represents here. It connects Alola to an entirely different dimension. This dimension is known simply as Ultra Space. Strange Pokémon called Ultra Beasts sometimes slip through it.

Catching Ultra Beasts

Ultra Beasts aren’t like typical wild Pokémon you’ve battled. They hit harder, resist longer, and behave unpredictably. Catching one requires patience and the right tools. You’ll want a solid stock of Beast Balls ready. These specialized Poké Balls work best against Ultra Beasts specifically.

Here’s a quick list of things to remember:

• Stock up on Beast Balls before hunting Ultra Beasts.
• Lower their head carefully without knocking them out.
• Use status moves to improve your catch rate.
• Bring Pokémon that resist their common attack types.

Exploring Ultra Space with Solgaleo and Lunala

Want to go even deeper into the mystery? With Solgaleo or Lunala by your side, you can. These Legendary Pokémon let you travel into Ultra Space directly. Inside, you’ll find more Ultra Beasts roaming freely. You might also stumble upon other Legendary Pokémon entirely.

Keep an eye out for these notable encounters:

• Mewtwo, the genetically engineered Legendary Pokémon.
• Ho-Oh, the rainbow-winged guardian of the skies.
• Lugia, the guardian of the deep seas.

With enough persistence and a little luck, you could build an entire team of Legendary Pokémon. That’s a goal worth chasing for any dedicated trainer.

Necrozma’s New Tale

This is where Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon truly shine. Necrozma takes center stage in a way it never did before. If you’ve played the originals, prepare for something completely different here.

Who Is Necrozma?

Necrozma is a Legendary Pokémon shrouded in mystery. It thrives on light, and it hungers for more. Unlike most Legendaries, its motives feel genuinely unsettling. The story slowly reveals why it craves light so badly. Piece by piece, the full picture comes together.

Dusk Mane Necrozma vs. Dawn Wings Necrozma

Here’s where version exclusives come into play. Dusk Mane Necrozma appears specifically in Pokémon Ultra Sun. Meanwhile, Dawn Wings Necrozma shows up only in Pokémon Ultra Moon. Each form merges Necrozma with one Legendary cover Pokémon.

Version	Necrozma Form	Fusion Partner
Ultra Sun	Dusk Mane Necrozma	Solgaleo
Ultra Moon	Dawn Wings Necrozma	Lunala

This split gives each version its own distinct flavor. It’s a clever way to make both games feel unique.

Ultra Necrozma Explained

Things escalate even further with Ultra Necrozma. This form represents Necrozma at its absolute peak power. Triggering it requires specific story progress and items. Once unlocked, Ultra Necrozma becomes a genuine powerhouse in battle. Its design alone signals just how dangerous it’s become.

The Ultra Recon Squad’s Connection to Necrozma

Who exactly wants to stop Necrozma, though? Enter the Ultra Recon Squad, visitors from beyond the wormhole. They come from a world drained of light. Their mission involves restoring that light home. Their connection to Necrozma drives much of the plot.

Team Rainbow Rocket Strikes!

Just when you think you’ve seen everything, here’s more. Team Rainbow Rocket brings nostalgia and challenge together perfectly. This post-game content rewards longtime fans especially well.

Who Is Team Rainbow Rocket?

Picture every major villain you’ve ever faced, united. That’s essentially the premise behind Team Rainbow Rocket. Giovanni, the original leader of Team Rocket, assembles them. His goal involves conquering multiple worlds simultaneously. It’s ambitious, dramatic, and exactly what fans wanted.

Meet the Villain Bosses

This lineup reads like a greatest-hits list of villains:

• Team Magma’s leader, obsessed with expanding the land.
• Team Aqua’s leader is determined to expand the seas.
• Team Galactic’s leader, seeking to reshape the universe itself.
• Team Plasma’s leader, fixated on liberating Pokémon entirely.
• Team Flare’s leader, chasing eternal youth and beauty.

Facing each boss feels like revisiting old memories fondly. Their teams hit hard, so come prepared.

Why This Is a Fan-Favorite Post-Game Story

Nostalgia plays a massive role in this arc’s appeal. Longtime players get to refight bosses they remember fondly. Defeating them also unlocks valuable rewards and rare Pokémon. It’s a satisfying victory lap for veteran trainers everywhere.

New Ways to Play Mantine Surf & the Battle Agency

Not every feature here revolves around battling, though. Some additions focus purely on fun and variety.

Mantine Surf Island Travel Meets Mini-Game

Mantine Surf turns simple travel into genuine entertainment. Instead of regular surfing, you ride atop a Mantine. You’ll pull tricks, dodge obstacles, and chase high scores. Success here earns you Beach Points, often shortened to BP.

Here’s what makes Beach Points useful:

• Spend BP to unlock new move tutor options.
• Teach your Pokémon moves unavailable through normal leveling.
• Occasionally, earn special Pokémon through strong surfing performances.

It’s a refreshing break from traditional battling and exploring.

The Battle Agency at Festival Plaza

Looking for quick, repeatable battles? The Battle Agency, found inside Festival Plaza, delivers exactly that. Here, you fight three-on-three Single Battles using rental Pokémon. You can’t use your own team in these matches.

Instead, you’ll borrow one Pokémon from the front desk. The other two come from fellow trainers nearby. Performing well earns Festival Coins and rare items like Rare Candy and Gold Bottle Caps. The better you battle, the stronger your rentals become.

Why These Modes Add Replay Value

Both modes encourage repeated play long after the story ends. They offer quick sessions perfect for short play breaks. Compared to the original games, this adds genuine longevity. You’ll find yourself returning just to chase better scores.

Tantalizing New Features & Pokémon Bank Compatibility

Beyond the big story beats, smaller details matter too. These additions round out the overall experience nicely.

New Trials and Totem Pokémon Battles

The island challenge returns, but it’s been refreshed. Expect updated trials across all four islands. Each trial still ends with a powerful Totem Pokémon fight. These battles require a sharper strategy than standard wild encounters.

Z-Moves, Z-Crystals, and the Z-Power Ring

Z-Moves make a strong comeback in these games. Using your Z-Power Ring alongside a matching Z-Crystal, you unleash devastating attacks. Each Z-Move can only trigger once per battle. New Z-Moves introduced here add fresh strategic options.

Totem Stickers and Professor Samson Oak’s Rewards

Keep your eyes peeled while exploring Alola’s islands. Hidden Totem Stickers glitter and shine when nearby. Collect enough, and show them to Professor Samson Oak. He’ll reward your dedication with special totem-style Pokémon.

Pokémon Bank Compatibility Explained

This feature matters more than it might seem. Pokémon Bank lets you store Pokémon online safely. It’s a paid service requiring a small annual fee.

Here’s why that compatibility matters for trainers:

• Transfer Pokémon between Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Sun, and Moon.
• Move Pokémon caught through Virtual Console classic games.
• Combine collections into a single, organized game file.
• Use private Boxes to store Pokémon you’re not actively using.

This makes completing your Pokédex dramatically easier overall. Pokémon transfer between generations finally feels seamless and convenient.

Is Pokémon Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon Worth Playing?

So, should you actually pick these up? If you loved the originals, absolutely yes. The expanded Necrozma storyline alone justifies a replay. Add Team Rainbow Rocket, Mantine Surf, and the Battle Agency, and value climbs further.

New players get a richer, more complete Alola experience. Returning fans get a mix of nostalgia and genuinely new content. Either way, these games generously reward curiosity and exploration.

Now the real question remains: will you choose Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Pokémon Ultra Sun the same as Pokémon Sun?

Ans: No, it expands the story significantly beyond the original release.

Q: What’s the difference between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon?

Ans: Mainly version-exclusive Pokémon, including Dusk Mane and Dawn Wings Necrozma.

Q: Can you transfer Pokémon from Sun and Moon to Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon?

Ans: Yes, through Pokémon Bank, transfers between these versions work smoothly.

Q: Is Necrozma in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon different from base Sun and Moon?

Ans: Yes, Necrozma plays a far larger role in these versions.

Q: Do you need Pokémon Bank to play Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon?

Ans: No, but it greatly helps with completing your Pokédex collection.