Pokemon Sword & Shield will be receiving free updates that will bring back over two hundred Pokemon that didn’t make it into the base game, and Game Freak has already revealed some of the classic Pokemon that will be returning. Nintendo recently announced a new Pokemon Direct, which revealed that Pokemon Sword & Shield would be receiving paid DLC updates, in the form of an Expansion Pass.
The DLC for Pokemon Sword & Shield will be released in two updates, called the Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra, both of which consist of Wild Areas and will expand the Pokedex. The player will be able to visit new parts of the Galar region and capture new Legendary Pokemon in storylines that take place after the events of Pokemon Sword and Shield. It will be possible to enter Pokemon Dens in The Crown of Tundra update and take on powerful Legendary alongside other players, in what promises to be some epic battles.
The trailer for the Pokemon Sword and Shield DLC (via the Nintendo Youtube channel) revealed that a lot of Legendary Kanto creatures will be returning to the game or will be getting new forms. It seems that the Legendary Birds will receive Galarian forms and Mewtwo will be returning in The Crown Tundra. From Pokemon Red and Blue, the returning Pokemon (via Serebii) include the male and female Nidoran, Nidorino, Nidorina, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Zubat, Golbat, Psyduck, Golduck, Slowbro, Magnemite, Magneton, Chansey, Horsea, Seadra, and Electabuzz. From Pokemon Gold and Silver, there is Crobat, Marill, Azumarill, Slowking, Kingdra, Elekid, Blissey, the Legendary Beasts, Lugia, and Ho-Oh.
From Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, there is Azurill, Spheal, Sealeo, Walrein, Beldum, Metang, Metagross, the Legendary Titans, Latias, Latios, and the Weather Trio. The Pokemon Direct appeared to reveal either Galarian versions of the Regi trio or entirely new members based on different types. From Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, there is Happiny, Gible, Gabite, Garchomp, Magnezone, Electivire, the Lake Guardians, Palkia, Dialga, Heatran, Giratina, and Cresselia. From Pokemon Black and White, there is Zorua, Zoruark, Cryogonal, Larvesta, Volcarona, the Forces of Nature, Reshiram, and Zekrom. From Pokemon X and Y, there is Fletchling, Fletchinder, Talonflame, Amaura, Aurorus, Dedenne, and the Aura Trio. Finally, from Pokemon Sun and Moon, there is Rockruff, Lycanroc, the Guardian Deities, Solgaleo, and Lunala.
The absence of so many Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield caused a great deal of controversy in the run-up to the release of the games and Game Freak could have saved itself a lot of headaches if it had revealed that some of the cut Pokemon were coming back in future updates. A lot of fan-favorite mons will be returning in 2020 and it’s an exciting time to be a fan, especially if Game Freak eventually restores the full National Dex in a future update.
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Pokemon Sword & Shield are available now on Nintendo Switch. The Isle of Armor will be available in June 2020, while The Crown Tundra will be available in Fall 2020. The Expansion Pass with both DLC costs $29.99/£26.99.
Source: Serebii, Nintendo/YouTube
