Pokémon Sword and Shield is getting an expansion pass, Game Freak announced during its Pokémon Direct this morning.
Two different expansions, The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra, will be released in June and fall 2020, respectively. Game Freak is forgoing the system it’s previously used for its main series games — releasing new, expanded games later in the the release cycle. Instead, the two expansions will open up the Galar region using a player’s existing save data.
Players can expect new gyms, accessories, and, of course, more Pokémon — in the Pokémon Direct, Game Freak said it’ll add more than 200 creatures. The Pokémon Company and Game Freak showed off new legendaries, new Gigantamax forms of existing Pokémon (like Sword and Shield’s three starters), and brand-new Pokémon that will debut in the expansions. Free updates will be released alongside the two expansions, which will let people who don’t have the expansion packs get the new Pokémon.
Beyond the new stuff to find and collect, The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra will continue Sword and Shield’s story, too. The Isle of Armor appears to be an island-esque area with a dojo where players will train alongside a mentor called Mustard, who previously trained former champion Leon. The Crown Tundra is a winter world with a new co-op experience. Game Freak said the two new areas will be larger than the game’s Wild Area.
More details are expected before release. The expansion pass will cost $29.99, and can be purchased from the Nintendo Switch eShop.
