How Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon pushed the 3DS to its absolute limit
In short: Released in 2017 as the final mainline entries for the Nintendo 3DS, these titles served as an enhanced, definitive conclusion to the seventh generation. Developed by a smaller team with a script twice as long as their predecessors, they represent a unique, ambitious chapter in the history of the franchise.
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon were positioned as the culmination of Game Freak’s work on the Nintendo 3DS. While the games share the same Alola region setting as the original Sun and Moon, they introduce an alternate storyline, new characters like the Ultra Recon Squad, and expanded gameplay features. The development process was distinct; producer Shigeru Ohmori noted that a team of 80—roughly half the size of the original Sun and Moon team—managed a script twice as long, while veteran staff focused on upcoming Nintendo Switch projects.
The narrative centers on the legendary Pokémon Necrozma, who replaces Lusamine as the primary antagonist. Necrozma’s ability to absorb Solgaleo or Lunala to achieve new forms mirrors the fusion mechanics seen in previous generations. Beyond the main story, the games offer significant post-game content, including Team Rainbow Rocket, which brings together villainous bosses from across the series' history, from Red and Blue’s Giovanni to X and Y’s Lysandre. New activities like Mantine Surf and the Ultra Warp Ride allow players to explore deeper into the series' lore and encounter legendary Pokémon from every previous game.
Reception was generally positive, with critics like IGN’s Casey Defreitas praising the smart improvements, though some reviewers felt the core experience remained too similar to the original titles. Commercially, the games were a success, selling over 2 million copies in Japan by the end of 2017 and reaching a combined worldwide total of 9.26 million units as of March 31, 2025. This performance helped push the entire Pokémon franchise past the 300 million units sold milestone, cementing these titles as the ninth-best-selling games on the 3DS platform.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
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