Pokemon Sun and Moon: Alola forms, island trials, Z-Moves and new Pokemon revealed in latest update
KEY POINTS
- Latest trailer for upcoming Nintendo 3DS games also shows off rideable Pokemon and Trial Captains.
- Z-Ring peripheral announced by The Pokemon Company - being manufactured by TOMY International.
A huge amount of new features, creatures and battle types have been revealed for Pokémon Sun and Moon on Nintendo 3DS. Rideable Pokémon, Region Trials, "Alolan" variations of series favourites, Z-Moves and its accompanying Z-Ring peripheral were all detailed in an action packed new trailer.
The most eye-catching aspect of the latest trailer comes in the form of what The Pokémon Company described as "Pokémon Adapted to the Alola Region", with Exeggutor sprouting an extra-large neck and Ninetales and Sandslash transforming into Ice/Fairy and Ice/Steel types respectively.
The latter two Pokémon receive icy design overhauls after the transformation, while stretched Exeggutor gains the Dragon typing to complement its original Grass type as well as the Frisk ability. The Alolan forms of Ninetales, Vulpix, Sandshrew and Sandslash also gain the Snow Cloak ability and a whole host of Ice attacks to complement their fresh type-sets.
On the new Pokémon front, the trailer starts by introducing Oricorio - a tangoing bird that changes its type and "unique style" across the four different islands in Sun and Moon's Alola region (the fiery, flamenco-inspired "Baile" version is our early favourite).
Elsewhere in the trailer (embedded below), Gumshoos (the pre-evolution of the grubby Ground-type horse, Mudsdale), Gumshoos (the superbly named evolution of Yungoos), Minior (a Rock/Flying-type rotating ball that "absorbs detritus") also made their debuts alongside the Grass-type Fomantis and its evolution Lurantis - the latter of which can learn a powerful-looking new move called Solar Blade.
The trailer also confirms earlier rumours that rideable Pokémon will make their return, although fans may be disappointed to hear that "these Pokémon do not join the player's team, but they can be called upon anytime for help."
The brief footage showcasing the popular feature - now named PokéRide - shows the player character smashing rocks while riding atop a Tauros, galloping through a desert environment on a Mudsdale, wave-riding on a Sharpedo and soaring through the sky on the back of a Charizard fitted with a dainty saddle.
The information overload continued with the reveal of Z-Moves - an uber-powered that has clearly been inspired by the popularity of the Mega Evolutions introduced in "Gen 6". A press release expanded on how exactly Z-Moves work in Pokémon Sun and Moon:
"Z-Moves are powerful moves that can only be used once during battle. The explosive force of a Z-Move is the result of both the Trainer and Pokémon releasing their full power together when their wishes resonate with each other. All Pokémon are capable of using Z-Moves in battle.
To use Z-Moves, two key items are required: a Z-Ring and a Z-Crystal. The Z-Ring fits on a Trainer's arm, and Z-Crystals are set into it. If a Pokémon holds the same variety of Z-Crystal as its Trainer, the two will be able to resonate with one another."
The Pokémon Company also announced that the in-game Z-Ring will receive an identically-named physical peripheral that will "light up, vibrate, and play sounds to go along with the video and sounds in the game." The price, region availability and release date for the Z-Ring counterpart are currently unclear, with a press release only confirming that "TOMY International will be releasing the Z-Ring for sale at participating retailers."
Despite giving series fans enough to mull over already, the Poké-madness continued with the unveiling of "The Island Challenge"; a selection of trials described as a "rite of passage for trainers" that will see players battle with Totem Pokémon and the Trial Captains - Lana, Mallow, Sophocles and Kiawe.
"To complete the island challenge, young trial-goers must overcome the trials on each of the four islands. These trials are not limited to battling with Pokémon. They take a variety of forms including finding items or completing tests of knowledge.
At the end of each trial, a mighty Pokémon known as a Totem Pokémon will be waiting. A Totem Pokémon is much larger than others of its species, and its body is enveloped in a special aura. When Totem Pokémon battle, they summon ally Pokémon to join them. With the support of these allies, the Totem Pokémon become more powerful. Pokémon other than Totem Pokémon also sometimes call on allies to aid them.
The final trial on each island is called the grand trial where Pokémon battle against the kahuna who leads that island. If a trial-goer succeeds in clearing this grand trial, they will be publicly recognized as having cleared all of the island's trials and can move on to the next island."
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