Pokémon Mars and Venus

Pokémon Sun (Japanese: ポケットモンスターサン Pocket Monsters Sun) and Pokémon Moon (Japanese: ポケットモンスタームーン Pocket Monsters Moon) are the primary paired versions of Generation VII and are set in the Alola region. The games are available on the Nintendo 3DS.

The games were announced worldwide on the of the release of, February 27, 2016, at 12 am JST by Tsunekazu Ishihara through Nintendo Direct. The paired versions were released worldwide on November 18, 2016, except in Europe where they were released on November 23, 2016. All copies of the game are playable in nine languages: Japanese, English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Korean, and Simplified and Traditional Chinese.

Pokémon Sun and Moon were followed in 2017 by Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, which are set in an alternate storyline.

Plot
Unlike any other main games series, the game begins with a video call made by Professor Kukui to the undefined. Professor Kukui helps create a for the player before the player and the mother move from Kanto to Alola. Meanwhile, at roughly the same time, a young girl is seen escaping what seems to be a lab with in her bag. As she gets cornered by the workers in the area, the Pokémon teleports itself and the girl away from the lab and away from danger.

Three months later, the player, along with the mother and, are enjoying their new home on Melemele Island as Professor Kukui enters their home and takes the player to meet the island kahuna in Iki Town to get his/her starter Pokémon. As they reach Iki Town, the kahuna is nowhere to be found, so Kukui sends the player to the Mahalo Trail in hopes of finding the kahuna. On the trail, the player spots the girl that escaped the lab and follows her to the Plank Bridge.

The Pokémon that the girl was holding escapes her bag as they reach the Plank Bridge, happy about the new environment it is in. Suddenly, a flock of attack the defenseless Pokémon, leaving the girl worrying and asking the player to save her friend Nebby. Even as the player had no Pokémon to battle the Spearow, the player rushes in and guards Nebby from harm before Nebby uses its power to destroy the bridge. Before the player and Nebby fall to their doom, flies through the Spearow and bring the pair back to safely. Thankful for rescuing Nebby, the girl gives the player a Sparkling Stone that appeared after Tapu Koko's departure.

The player and the girl then return to Iki Town and get greeted by Kukui. Kukui introduces the girl as his lab assistant, Lillie, before the kahuna, Hala, returns from resolving a problem on the island. After Lillie explains the encounter she and the player had with Tapu Koko, Hala gets touched by the moment and gives the player the choice to choose, , or as their starter Pokémon. After a short ceremony with the player and the new Pokémon, Kukui gives the player a Pokédex and sends him/her to the mother to show off the new Pokémon.

Hala's grandson, Hau, then appears in the town and challenges the player to a battle using the Pokémon that is weak to the player's starter. After the battle, Hala takes the player's sparkling stone and invites the player to a festival the following day. The next day, Kukui stops by the player's house again and takes him to  so he can teach him/her how to catch Pokémon. Kukui then lets the player train before going to the festival.

At the festival, Hala and Kukui reveal that it is an event where Pokémon battles are held in honor of the Guardian Pokémon in Alola. Hau and the player battle once again in honor of Tapu Koko, and this time the entire town watches, including Lillie, the player's mother and Meowth. After Tapu Koko approves of the battling, Hala returns the sparkling stone, which is now converted into a Z-Ring. Hala explains the Z-Ring's powers and the Z-Crystals that can only be acquired by participating in the island challenge, where the player must travel to all four of Alola's islands to become the island challenge champion. Afterwards, the player then returns home to prepare for the next day.

The next day, Lillie visits the player and the two head to Kukui's lab. In the lab, Kukui upgrades the player's Pokédex into a Rotom Pokédex and explains more about the island challenge, which includes taking trials and getting recognized by each island kahuna. Before taking any trials, the player must attend the to learn the basics of battling. Luckily, the player is able to take on the teacher's assignments and the player is able to take Captain Ilima's trial in Verdant Cavern. After beating the teacher in battle, Ilima invites the player to Hau'oli City after the player trains some more.

When the player meets up with Ilima, two s appear, but they appear to be minor threats to Ilima. After a quick lesson from the player and Ilima, the Grunts flee and Ilima heals the player's Pokémon before challenging the player to a battle himself. After the battle, Ilima gets impressed by the player's team and allows the player to attempt his trial. On the way to Verdant Cavern, a wild drags the player to the  as more Team Skull Grunts are causing trouble with other people. The Grunts get defeated by the player, and they announce to mess with Ilima's trial.

As the player makes it to Verdant Cavern, Ilima explains the rules of the trial and lets the player attempt it. Midway into the trial, the Grunts from earlier challenge the player again and get defeated. The Grunts bother a wild Pokémon in the area, unwittingly helping the player complete the next section of the trial. As the player almost completes the trial, /Totem  ambushes the player and challenges the player to a battle. Upon defeat of the Pokémon, the player completes the trial.

After hearing that Lillie has gone missing, the player heads to and into Melemele Meadow, where the player finds Lillie. Lillie again loses Nebby and the player has to go find it. After finding Nebby, the player returns to Lillie and leave the meadow to be greeted by Hau and Kukui. After hearing that Hau and the player passed their first trial, Kukui sends the player back to Iki Town for their grand trial with island kahuna Hala.

After defeating Hala, the player receives another Z-Crystal and is given a Ride Pager in order to ride Pokémon like in the Alola region. The player makes way to the next island, Akala Island. On Akala Island, the player attends the trials of Lana, Kiawe, and Mallow before battling island kahuna Olivia. On Akala Island, the player once again encounters Team Skull and encounters new people like a neglected member of Team Skull named Gladion who owns a Pokémon called, and Hapu, a wanderer traveling the region with her. After defeating the island kahuna, Faba invites the player and Hau to Aether Paradise.

At Aether Paradise, the player and Hau meets the Aether Foundation President Lusamine and learn that the company is responsible for making Aether Paradise a sanctuary for abused Pokémon. In the middle of the meeting, a weird creature from another universe attacks the player and after a short battle retreats to its own world. Lusamine becomes interested in the odd creature and sends the duo to Ula'ula Island to complete their island challenge.

On Ula'ula Island, the player prepares for the trials of Sophocles and Acerola. While taking these trials, the player learns about a under construction and is challenged to participate in it as soon as the player completes the Island Challenge. After completing the two trials, the player meets the Team Skull leader Guzma and visits their base at Po Town. After defeating the team in Po Town, Police officer Nanu and Acerola thank the player for rescuing a stolen and head to the Aether House.

Upon entering the house, Hau tells the player that Team Skull's Admin, Plumeria, kidnapped Lillie and Nebby. Gladion overhears the conversation and demands Hau and the player to travel with him to the ferry terminal for their next destination. Before the trio leave, Nanu challenges the player as an island kahuna. Nanu gives the player another Z-Crystal and asks Gladion what he is depending on Team Skull for before departing. Gladion reveals to the player and Hau that they have to return to Aether Paradise to rescue Lillie and Nebby. Despite the crazy story, the player and Hau tag with Gladion to Aether Paradise.

At Aether Paradise, employees begin to attack the team as they believe they are intruders. They eventually reach Faba and Faba indeed hints that there is something unusual about Aether Foundation. After a battle from the player, Faba redirects the trio to the lower level of Aether Paradise, with the trio unaware that it is a trap to buy time. After learning of the trap, they head back up to find Faba, who brought reinforcements to battle them. Wicke then appears to them and says that Lillie might be with the President, but it would be hard to get to them. Faba then ambushes them again with more employees. The team defeat the employees and Faba again, resulting in Faba giving them access to the president's office.

The trio then spot Team Skull and Guzma in front of where they need to go. Gladion immediately takes on Guzma while Hau and the player take out the Grunts. After taking out the Grunts, Guzma takes down Gladion and the player takes his place in battle. Guzma gets defeated by the player again and is forced to let the team move onwards. The player then runs into Lusamine and Lillie. The player witnesses a darker side of Lusamine and learns that Nebby is being sacrificed to bring back. Lillie tries to reason with her mother, but fails to do so, resulting in the player going after Lusamine.

Gladion and Hau catch up to the player and Gladion tells his mother not to open the Ultra Wormhole, but again, Lusamine ignores her children and opens the wormhole anyway. This results in many Ultra Beasts being spread out in Alola. With the help of Guzma, Lusamine tries to put a stop to the team, but they put both of the villains and the beast to a stop. As the Ultra Wormhole closes, Guzma, Lusamine, and the beast retreat to Ultra Space while Lillie checks on Nebby, who has now transformed into a.

The next day, Gladion gives Lillie the Moon Flute/Sun Flute and helps the player and Lillie get to the final Island of Alola, Poni Island and recommends finding the island kahuna. The player and Lillie eventually find Hapu again, who reveals the island has no kahuna. The three then travel to the Ruins of Hope where grants Hapu the honor of becoming Poni Island's new kahuna after they both teamed up to battle an Ultra Beast. Hapu then talks about the Legendary Pokémon / and how there needs to be a ceremony at the Altar of the Sunne/Altar of the Moone involving two particular flutes. Lillie shows Hapu the flute Gladion gave her and are told the other flute is on Exeggutor Island. Lillie and the player then head to Exeggutor Island to obtain Lillie's flute counterpart.

After the player takes the other flute, the player and Lillie return to Poni Island and head to the Altar. On the way to the Altar, they get ambushed by Team Skull. Team Skull battles the player in order to try and get them to talk about where Guzma disappeared to, but Plumeria puts a stop to the battling. Plumeria apologizes for her actions and lets them continue onwards in hopes of rescuing Guzma. Soon after, Hapu challenges the player to a Grand Trial and the player attends another trial soon after. With both trials complete, the player completes the island challenge. The only thing left to do is to rescue Lusamine and Guzma from Ultra Space.

The player and Lillie reach the Altar and both prepare to play their flutes and either wait until dawn or dusk to summon the Legendary Pokémon. After playing their flutes, an odd power in the Altar forms and takes Lillie's bag to the source of the power. Nebby is taken from the bag and evolves into Solgaleo/Lunala. With its new power, Nebby takes Lillie and the player to Ultra Space. The two then run into Guzma, who seems to be possessed by the Ultra Beasts. Lillie continues to find her mother, and soon the two find Lusamine with the creature called. Lillie again tries convince her mother to return, but Lusamine eventually pushes her daughter's buttons and even calls her ugly. Lusamine calls out a captured Nihilego and merges with it, leaving the player to battle Lusamine until Nebby separates Lusamine and Nihilego from each other. Nebby then grabs the trapped people and brings them to the Altar, where Hapu takes Lusamine and Guzma to safely.

Nebby, still wanting to travel with Lillie and the player, gets rejected by Lillie as she believes that Nebby will not be able to get the adventures it wants with her as she is not a real trainer. Lillie then recommends Nebby should be captured by the player. The player gets into a battle with Nebby and eventually captures it. Lillie is thankful that Nebby will now be taken care of by its new parent and leaves to help out her mother. Nanu then appears at the Altar to let the player know that the next step is to battle all four kahunas in a row. However, with the new opened in Mount Lanakila on Ula'ula Island, Nanu takes the player there to complete the final trial.

When the player reaches the Pokémon League, Professor Kukui greets the player and gives him the choice to battle any of the four members of the Alola League in whatever choice the player decides. The members include island kahunas Hala and Olivia, who use Fighting- and Rock types respectively, Trial Captain Acerola, who uses the Ghost type, and Kahili, a former island challenge champion and golfer who uses the Flying type. After the player defeats the Elite Four, the player takes a seat in the Champion's chair before Professor Kukui surprises the player with a final battle before becoming the first Alola League. After becoming Champion, the player is invited back to a big festival in Iki Town to celebrate the big accomplishment.

During the festival, Lillie pulls the player to the side and the two revisit the Mahalo Trail and cross a rebuilt Plank Bridge to the Ruins of Conflict, hoping to get congratulated by Tapu Koko for finishing the island challenge. The player touches the statue in the Ruins of Conflict and gives thanks to Tapu Koko. After touching the statue, Tapu Koko challenges the player to a battle, which allows the player to either capture it or show the Guardian Pokémon the power of the new Alola Champion. After the battle, the two return to the festival. Shortly after returning, Lillie tries to tell the player of her next steps, but decides to instead let the player enjoy the rest of the festival.

The following day, Hau visits the player and drags the player to Hau'oli City. Hau and the player catch up to Lillie and Professor Kukui before the departure, and it is revealed Lillie is going to Kanto to help make herself and her mother get better and stronger. Lillie gives Hau and the player a gift before she sets sail to Kanto, leaving Hau in tears. The Professor shares some words with the player and Hau to show respect to Lillie's decision and soon after, the three make their way back home.

Blurb
Welcome to the World of Pokémon!

Are you ready to become a Pokémon Trainer? Trade and battle with friends all over the world!

Train your Pokémon for battle! Discover Pokémon and fill your Pokédex. Care for your Pokémon and help them grow. Adventure awaits in the Alola region!

Rotom Pokédex
The undefined's Pokédex is a special model that can be inhabited by a, called the Rotom Pokédex. Through the Pokédex, Rotom can speak human languages. The Pokédex also acts as a real-time map on the bottom screen on the player's Nintendo 3DS, showing the player's location, places of interest, and recommended destinations based on conversations made with NPCs.

QR Scanner
Players can scan QR codes corresponding to each Pokémon in the Pokédex, allowing them to register them as Pokémon they have seen. The QR scanner can also be used to receive event Pokémon, such as.

New forms
Pokémon Sun and Moon are the first core series games where players can use 's 10% and Complete Formes, as well as 's Ash-Greninja form. Zygarde's other forms, Zygarde Cell and Core, also make non-playable appearances.

Alola Forms
Some Pokémon species have uniquely adapted to the microclimates of the Alola region, becoming what is known as a regional variant of their species. These variant species take on different forms from those of their species in other regions, including a different appearance, Abilities, and more. An Alolan variant of a species is known as its Alola Form.

Battle Royal
The Battle Royal is a new battle format where four players enter into a free-for-all battle, with any player able to attack (or aid) another. The battle ends when all of one player's Pokémon faint, with the winner being the player who has the highest combined number of knockouts and number of remaining Pokémon.

Z-Moves
Z-Moves are a new type of move in which the Trainer and Pokémon's wishes combine to release their full power. Z-Moves are moves of great power, but can only be used once per battle.

In order to use a Z-Move, a Trainer needs two items: a Z-Ring and a Z-Crystal. A Z-Ring is a band worn on a Trainer's arm. A Z-Crystal must be set into the Z-Ring, and if a Pokémon holds a Z-Crystal of the same type, they will resonate with each other. If the Pokémon then knows a move corresponding to the Z-Crystal's type, it will be able to use a Z-Move. All Pokémon can use Z-Moves, and there are Z-Moves for each of the 18 types. There are also Z-Moves that can only be used by specific Pokémon.

When used in battle, a Z-Move takes over the entire screen in a short, cinematic display.

Island challenge
The island challenge is a new mechanic introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon. It is a rite in which players travel through the four islands of Alola with the goal of becoming the strongest Trainer, known as the island challenge champion. In order to complete the island challenge, players must overcome each island's unique trials which may include, but are not limited to, finding items, completing tests of knowledge, and battling with Pokémon.

At the end of each island's trial, the player will have to battle a Totem Pokémon. A Totem Pokémon is much larger than its species normally is and has a special aura that appears to aid it in battle, such as by raising its. Totem Pokémon are battled in SOS Battles, where they summon ally Pokémon to participate alongside them.

The final trial on each island is a Pokémon battle with the Island Kahuna known as the grand trial. Successfully clearing the grand trial gives the player the right to move on to the next island in their challenge, conveying official recognition that the player has cleared all of the island's trials.

Each trial has a Trial Captain who provides guidance to trial-goers. All of the Captains are Trainers who undertook trials in their own island challenge a few years earlier.

Poké Rides
Poké Rides are a new feature whereby players can call on the services of certain Pokémon in order to access areas that they would not have been able to access on their own. These Pokémon are not part of the player's team, but they may be called on at any time. Poké Rides replace HMs in Pokémon Sun and Moon, as many of the Ride Pokémon have the same purpose as previously existing HMs.

Hyper Training
Hyper Training is a new feature that lets the player maximize one or more of a Pokémon's s with the help of a man known as Mr. Hyper in exchange for Bottle Caps. Only a Pokémon that has reached level 100 can undergo Hyper Training.

Festival Plaza
As the player progresses through the game, they will become able to use Festival Plaza. Festival Plaza allows players to see other people playing near them, or other players that are connected to the internet to or trade. By talking to people and listening to their requests in Festival Plaza, players can receive Festival Coins. Festival Coins can be spent on stores in the plaza, and eventually rank up their Plaza.

Poké Pelago
Poké Pelago is a new feature that allows Pokémon that are stored in a PC Box to explore a variety of isles, play on athletic equipment, and enjoy other fun activities. The various islands allow the undefined's Pokémon to gather items, discover wild Pokémon, and even raise Pokémon levels and stats.

Pokémon

 * See Category:Generation VII Pokémon

81 new Pokémon were introduced for Sun and Moon, bringing the known total from 721 to 802.

Game-exclusive Pokémon
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Compatibility
Pokémon Sun and Moon can connect with Pokémon Bank since its v1.3. This allows it to store and receive Pokémon from Pokémon Bank, including Pokémon from previous generations that were transferred into Pokémon Bank. Pokémon Sun and Moon can also battle and trade with Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, but not with any Pokémon, forms or Z-Moves introduced in those games.

Reception
Gaming magazine gave Pokémon Sun and Moon a score of 38 out of 40. rated the games an "Amazing" 9.0/10, noting that the games "switch up the formula to create an engaging adventure." Pokémon Sun and Moon hold a rating of 87.94% and 87.74%, respectively, on.

Sales
Within the first two weeks of release for Sun and Moon, over 7.5 million copies were sold in Japan, North America, and Europe. In North America and Australia, they set a record for being the fastest-selling Nintendo games there, selling 3.7 million and 240 thousand copies, respectively, in the first two weeks. They also set a similar record in Europe and the UK, selling 1.5 million and 368 thousand copies, respectively, in the first week. In the fiscal year of their release, they sold 15.44 million units. As of March 31, 2019, Pokémon Sun and Moon have sold 16.15 million copies worldwide.

Japanese sales
Pokémon Sun and Moon sold 1,590,629 individual units on their first week on the Japanese market, being 807,540 from Pokémon Sun and 783,090 from Pokémon Moon, with a of 81.90% and 79.83% respectively. By December 31, 2017, the end of their 59th week, they had sold 3,340,565 copies, being 1,733,324 from Pokémon Sun and 1,607,241 from Pokémon Moon.

Pokémon Sun and Moon Dual Pack sold 151,379 units on its first week, with a of 93.72%. By January 1, 2017, the end of its 7th week, it had sold 161,795 copies. Combining all releases, the games sold 3,664,155 units, being 1,895,119 from Pokémon Sun and 1,769,036 from Pokémon Moon.

Trivia

 * These are the first Pokémon games to be released in Chinese.
 * These are the first Pokémon games to show NPCs using Poké Ball variants other than the.
 * These games mark the first time when the National Pokédex is unavailable since its introduction in Generation III.
 * The Japanese, Korean, and Chinese logos for Sun and Moon contain a Z-Crystal.
 * These Pokémon games have the lowest amount of non-event Pokémon available in-game in regards to the percentage of its generation's National Pokédex, at 47% or 384 out of 802.
 * These are the first core series games to not award the undefined with a diploma upon completing the Pokédex.