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Nintendo Locks New Gigantamax Pokemon Behind Old Games

Last Updated September 23, 2020 1:09 PM
William White
Last Updated September 23, 2020 1:09 PM

Gamers that want to “catch ’em all” in “Pokemon Sword” and “Pokemon Shield” won’t be able to unless they own two previous entries in the series. It’s bad enough that Nintendo is still splitting up Pokemon between two games, and will likely release enhanced versions a year later, but now fans will have to get their hands on two other games to obtain two Gigantamax Pokemon.

Gigantamax Pokemon is a new mechanic coming to the series with “Pokemon Sword” and “Pokemon Shield.” It takes the new Dynamax feature, which lets Pokemon grow to massive size, and mixes it with the Mega forms found in previous games. Pikachu and Eevee are both popular with fans and each starred in their own game last year. That’s where the trouble starts.

Those games were “Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu” and “Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee.” By this point, I’m sure you can already see where this is going. “Pokemon Sword” and “Pokemon Shield” players will need the “Let’s Go Pikachu” version for Gigantamax Pikachu  and the “Let’s Go Eevee” version for the Gigantamax Eevee .

The best-case scenario here is that players pick up a copy of either “Pokemon Sword” or “Pokemon Shield” for $60. They can then fill out their roster of missing Pokemon from the other version of the game by trading with friends. Online trading is also an option. Maybe some players already have both “Let’s Go” games and can get the Gigantamax Pokemon that way, but others will have to jump through major hoops or spend some extra cash.

Nintendo Reveals Five Gigantamax Pokemon

According to Nintendo, Gigantamax Pikachu and Gigantamax Eevee only require play data from each of the “Let’s Go” games. That means players don’t have to actually own the games. Instead, they could just borrow them from a friend to get that data on their Switch. Players that can’t do this will instead have to spend a hefty sum for a couple of extra Gigantamax Pokemon. Both “Let’s Go Pikachu” and “Let’s Go Eevee” are still $60 on the Switch eShop. Players can find them cheaper at other retailers but may still end up spending around $100 for both games.

https://twitter.com/TheCrimson0ne/status/1184467100196331521

There’s also bad news for anyone holding out on “Pokemon Sword” and “Pokemon Shield” until after a price drop. Gigantamax Meowth  is another special form in the games but will only be available for early adopters. Players will be able to redeem a Mystery Gift online between Nov. 15, 2019, and Jan. 15, 2020 to get the form. It’s unclear if there will be any other way to get the Gigantamax Pokemon after this.

Two other Gigantamax Pokemon have also been revealed for “Pokemon Sword” and “Pokemon Shield.” They are Gigantamax Charizard and Gigantamax Butterfree. Players will be able to earn them through Max Raid Battles. These have them teaming up with other players online to take down the massive Pokemon.

“Pokemon Sword” and “Pokemon Shield” come out on the Nintendo Switch Nov. 15.