Get your code card in the electronics department

Yesterday, I stopped by Target to pick up Janelle Monàe's new album because I'm an old, white guy who still buys albums at Target when it dawned on me I hadn't stopped by the store yet to pick up a code for this month's Legendary Pokémon Celebration. Perhaps it wasn't on my mind because, despite signing up for the Pokémon ??;e-mail list last month, I wasn't sent my code for Regigagas or Heatran.

Turns out, it's a good thing I remembered because the giveaway promotion ends today, April 29. So if you haven't stopped by to pick up your code, you better do it before your local Target closes. As a reminder, this month's Legendary promotion nets Pokémon Sun and Ultra Sun players an Entei while Moon and Ultra Moon players score a Raikou.

It has not yet been announced how next month's giveaway will work, but when it starts, players will be able to pi??ck up either a Xerneas or Yveltal.

Raikou & Entei (Pokémon)

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Opt-in while you can

If you're one to keep up with legendary Pokémon giveaways, this is going to be a heck of a year. There's something new every month up through Novem??ber. Next month, we're getting Regigigas and Heatran.

It's still February, so why bring that up now?

For this particular distribution event, the Pokémon will be obtainable via a code in next month's Pokémon Trainer Club newsletter; you'll need to sign up and opt-in for the email by March 1.

Do that (or just get a hold of a code, I guess!), and you can nab either Regigigas or Heatran in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. Sometimes, when you look at a word for too long, it seems totally alien. The same goes for Pokémon -- and I've been staring at these weirdos for entirely too long.

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Mantine pro surfer when?

That's right, get ready to hit some gnarly waves and do some sick tricks bruv, because the latest Global Mission in Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon will involve reaching 1,000,000 Beach Points (BP) in Mantin??e surfing!

Players will have until December 25 to complete the task, so here's hoping we can redeem ourselves, considering the last mission was a complete failure (not to mention all the other cumulative failures from the?? previous game).

Serebii Update: The second Global Mission for Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon has begun: Earn BP Mantine Surfing. 1,000,000 BP to be earned. //t.co/gDbXkHSvkT pic.twitter.com/61tmukHgQY

— Serebii.net (@SerebiiNet) December 12, 2017

If you ask me, I think the previ??ous mission's failure was more a result of Game Freak grossly overestimating how many people would actually be playing the game within the first week -- let alone how many of those players would actually be trying to complete the global mission.

Tuesday: Pokémon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - CoroCoro + Global Missions + Pokémon ??Shuffle [Serebii]

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More Alola

The more I think about Pokemon Sun & Moon, the more I realize it might be my favorite generation. That's a contentious statement I know, given how many people found their faults in it (which is the same with any given generation, especially X & Y as of late), but even playing through it t?hree times now I'm still happy to see these characters.

I'm speaking of course of Ultra Moon, the semi-sequel/follow-up t??o the original pair of games that launched roughly a year ago.

Pokémon Ultra Moon (3DS)
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: The Pokémon Company
Release: November 18, 2016
MSRP: $39.99

_{[Given that we've talked at length about the mechanics of this generation in our reviews for Sun and Moon, this review will primarily focus on the changes for Ultra.]}

The best way to describe the Ultra games is "slightly different." Ultra Moon is not a full-on sequel, but it's not just a "re-release with a few extra Pokemon" either . You still wake up in your home where you live with your mom, and are greeted by Professor Kukui and his Rockruff. But instead of running straight into the fray with no Pokemon in hand and then eventually battling Hau, you'll ge??t your starter in the first few minutes -- little things like that. Nebby is still going to get harassed on the bridge, your little crew will form, and the journey kicks off in relatively the same way it does in?? the pair of originals.

Really, what you're getting campaign-wise is the similar "I wanna be the very best and help my friends" adventure with various cherries on top, and?? some interludes that funnel into the Ultra Space universe endgame -- it's a welcome divergence, as the OG pair didn't really give us enough actual time in there (it kind of just brought the threat to Alola). Plus I actually dig Necrozma, the ultimate Legendary from the base game that returns as a mascot with several different forms, so I was curious to delve deeper into its origins, which influence the foundations of the Pokemon world itself much like Arceus in the fourth generation.

Keep in mind these new arcs don't blossom until very late in the story, s??o don't expect them to power you along if you didn't like the trial/Kahuna framework in the original. While I won't spoil much there is a fairly large emphasis on Ultra Space, complete with its own Gummi Ship-esque travel minigame. Game Freak does good work when it comes to easing you in, too, as the Ultra Recon Squad (read: wormhole experts) make an appearance early so you a??ren't completely lost..

While there are a few big arcs and an expanded endgame, the way most of these work is through little side areas that didn't exist before. A small beach, a cave you may not have noticed in the past, things like that. All of these new storylines will sort of build and build and then reach their payoff. Or, you might go for a bit of light surfing (which is its own Tony Hawk style minigame with tricks ??and a score meter) and ?a quick photo shoot for 15 minutes instead of leaving the first island directly after a trial. Or you might take a quick break to go sticker (collectible) hunting with Samson Oak.

Minor upgrades include new Z-Moves (which serve to provide a little more spice for individual Pokemon like Lycanroc, but aren't a big add), several gimmicks like the "Roto Loto" (where you can sometimes spin your living Pokedex for ancillary items), and some new creatures, forms, legendaries, and Ultra Beasts. It's...enough for you to go "oh, I don't remember this happening" without feeling like ??a completely different generati??on.

Given that nearly everything else, from the UI to the general flow is the same, that cloying sense of nostalgia doesn't  necessarily work in its favor. Although I love that this cast is given so many chances to shine with more dialogue than nearly any other Pokemon game, the "stop and go" nature of the tutorials is just as grating in the Ultra series. I could really go for a "veteran" option where you could skip cutscenes or at least hurry things along, but given the slight diffe??rences in some sc?enes the development team probably opted to exclude it.

Game Freak also had the opportunity to spruce up some of the game's duller moments, like several of the dud trials, and they didn't. For those that never played Sun & Moon, trials are the stand-ins for "Gym Badge Challenges," and vary im??mensely when it comes to design quality. A few are improved in the sense that they have newer Totem (boss) Pokemon that make more sense (and one has a neat little extra puzzle), but for the most part, the actual process of getting through the trials consists of walking from point A to point B.

I already got my fill of Pokemon Sun & Moon, as you can clearly see from my completed 'dex, but that didn't stop me from reliving it all over again with Ultra. Just keep in mind that if y??ou're hoping that the entire "leveling process" is going to be dif??ferent this time, and that you'll be entering a completely brave, new world -- you're going to be disappointed.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game?? provided by the publisher.]}

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They got the cute to creepy ratio just right here

Mimikyu has got to be one of the better Pokémon in recent memory. It just looks so defenseless, like a discarded, unloved Pikachu knock-off. But ther??e's something ?sinister underneath its ragged exterior.

Per its Pokédex entries in Sun and Moon,? "it conceals its terrifying appearance bene?ath an old rag so it can get closer to people and other Pokémon. A scholar who saw what was under its rag was overwhelmed by terror and died from the shock."

When the lore in these games gets dark, it really gets dark. Anyway, let's all watch as Mimikyu grows in siz??????????????????????????e to swallow up a Tyranitar with its cloth. Don't worry, though. It's simply "snuggling."

This Z-Move is called Let's Snuggle Forever and it'll be in Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

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Gotta catch 10 million

We didn't do so hot with global missions in Pokémon Sun and Moon (at least not early on) but maybe things will turn out better with Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. That's right -- the shared ob??jectives are back, and they're once again aski??ng us to collectively do something or other a whole lotta times.

The first of these missions is simple eno?ugh: catch 10 million Pokémon by November 28, 2017.

If we can do that, we will earn 2,000 Festival Coins for use at the shops in the Festival Plaza. If we miss the goal, we'll still walk away with 1,000 coins. And in either scenario, if your game is registered with the Pokémon Global Link, you'll get double the number of Festival Coins.

As a refresher, here's how to partake in ??global miss??ions:

1. Enter Festival Plaza in Pokémon Ultra Sun or Pokémon Ultra Moon by selecting it in your in-game menu, whi??ch you&rsq?uo;ll find by pressing the X Button.

2. Enter Festival Plaza’s central castle.

3. Speak t?o the global mission receptionist on the right and let her know you want to participate in the global mission.

4. Remember to return before the missio??n ends to sync your game to add to the global count! Once you’ve joined the global mission, talk to the receptionist to have your progress sent to the Pokémon Global Link. Also, if you’ve registered your game to a PGL account, simply connecting to the internet while in Festival Plaza will cause your game to sync automatically, sending your progress to the server.

There's a whole schedule lined up, too.

• November 17–28, 2017: Catch a lot of Pokémon!
• December 12–27, 2017: Have Fun Mantine Surfing!
• January 9–23, 2018: Win at the Battle Agency!
• February 6–20, 2018: Harvest Poké Beans!
• March 6–20, 2018: Trade Pokémon at the GTS!
• April 3–17, 2018: Hatch a lot of Eggs!
• May 1–15, 2018: Get BP at the Battle Tree!
• June 5–19, 2018: Play in Festival Plaza!

One last thing! Anyone who registers their copy of Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon and ?uses Game Sync between November 17 ??and January 30 will score a Master Ball.

Global Missions Begin Anew [Pokemon]

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And an infamous villain returns

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have more surprises up their sleeves.

For the completionists out there, you'll be able to stock up on legendary Pokémon. They're all here. Granted, they'll be divvied up between the two games, so trading will be involved as per usual, but still.

Ultra Sun will have Ho-Oh, Raikou, Groudon, Latios, Dialga, Heatran, Reshiram, Tornadus, Xerneas, while Ultra Moon gets Lugia, Entei, Kyogre, Latias, Palkia, Regigigas, Zekrom, Thundurus,? ??and Yveltal.

Today's trailer runs through some other additions, like a Battle Agency with Pokémon rentals, and one particularly cool story reveal: the return of Giovanni. The big boss is back and he's recruited other series villains to form a familiar new supergroup, Team Rainbow R?ocket. Think of the cosplay potential!

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Surf's up

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon have looked fairly skippable to me. I had a grand old time in the Alola region, but it's all too recent. Once was enough for the time being. If you're on the fence or missed Sun and Moon the first go around, this summary site should help clear ??up you?r decision before November.

Besides new Ultra Beasts and forms for Necrozma, these enhanced games will have altered island trials and story bits, along with a Photo Club for dressing and posing your 'mons and ooh, what's this? Surfing!

The Mantine Surf mini-ga??me looks shockingly good for what it is.

The next Pokémon game I play will probably be Silver on 3DS, followed by whatever shows up on Switch.

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Burst and Assembly

Nintendo kicked off its Direct presentation with a look at Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

We got some new boys! UB Burst will appear in Ultra Sun, and UB Assembly will be in Ultra Moon. The Ultra Beasts were one of my favorite parts ????of the base game, so I'm glad to see more on the way.

The pair of games will launch for 3??DS on November 17.

Nintendo is also prepping ??a limited-edition New Nintendo 2DS XL, due out November 3.

Catch the Poké Ball Edition New Nintendo #2DSXL on November 3rd! pic.twitter.com/4rhxTxtmJI

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) September 13, 2017

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'New secrets' too

Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon are on the way and set for a November release, and The Pokemon Company has been steadily feeding us info until then. As well as a closer look at the new "Dusk" form of Lycanroc, we're also introduced to new costumes for the protagonists, new characters, and potentially another zone that will reveal "more?? secrets of the Alola region" with a narrative focus on the legendary Necrozoma and a new Z-Power Ring.

It's not much to go on, but it's more Pokemon and more opportunities to fill your 'dex and nab those Shin-Legendaries that are featured on the new covers. I really wish there was just one enhanced version of the game, but it remains to be seen of this Ultra duo is going to be more like Black and White 2 (full sequels) or say, an Emerald or a Crystal expansion.

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What a mess

Shortly after confirming the new Lycanroc form last week, The Pokémon Company has revealed new details about it. Set to appear in the upcoming Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, it was revealed the new form ?would also have some stat changes. However, the biggest part was another confirmation that Dusk Form Lycanroc is not obtainable through n??ormal means in the game.

It's a distribution-only Pokémon, which ?means once you miss it, god knows when it ?will be available again.

The company revealed the main differences between Dusk Form and the other two forms from the previous iteration. While it is also a Rock-type, it will learn the moves Accelerock and Counter upon evolving from Rockruff. In the original Sun and Moon, both of those moves were exclusive to either form, making this new Form a sort of hybrid. In addition, it will have the ability Tough Claws, which will increase the ?power of moves that make direct contact.

There is a catch to obtaining the? new Pokémon. Starting on November 17, 2017, the release date for?? the games, a special Rockruff will be distributed. The distribution will end on January 10, 2018. This special Rockruff is the only one, according to The Pokémon Company, that can evolve into Dusk Form Lycanroc. They also stated you cannot catch the special Rockruff nor Dusk Form Lycanroc via normal means in game. However, the company did not mention what would happen if you used that Rockruff to breed more.

I'm kind of speechless about this. This special form is currently one of the only selling points this game has going for it at this time, and it's only a limited-time distribution? It really is helping me justify skipping thi?s entry. This feels like a hollow attempt to get some additional profit out of the 3DS until the Switch game is out, and it will sadly work because it's Pokémon.

Secrets of Lycanroc Dusk Form Revealed [Pokémon]

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No third version yet

As the second of their Pokemon Direct announcements, Nintendo shared that the 3DS is getting two enhanced versions of Sun & Moon this year -- Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Both versions will feature an "alternate story," with "new Pokemon," and will arrive on November 17, 2017 globally. If you want to see some very brief footage, skip to the three minute mark in the video below. Oddly, it seems like a compromise between the full-on sequels of Black & White 2, and the ?famous "third versio??n" that the series used to put out.

We'll proba?bly get more information as we approach E3 next week, but ?Nintendo says more will be revealed "later this year."

[embed]440044:67943:0[/embed]

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