Pokémon fans rejoice!

Feb. 27, Nintendo and Game Freak announced the release of two new Pokémon games: “Pokémon Sword” and “Pokémon Shield.”

“Sword” and “Shield” will take players to the new Galar region. As shown in the trailer, the Galar region will showcase a wide variety of environments, such as steampunk inspired cities, grassy plains, and snow-covered mountains. Players will travel through the region, catching Pokémon and battling other trainers along the way. The end goal, of course, is to catch every pocket monster, defeat different gym leaders, take on the Pokémon league, and become Pokémon Champion.

Since “Sword” and “Shield” are two versions of the same game, each game will have Pokémon exclusive to that title. So, if you have “Shield,” then you’ll have to trade with someone who has “Sword” in order to complete your Pokédex.   

Just like in games past, players will get to choose between three new starter Pokémon. These Pokémon usually fall under three types: fire, water, and grass. “Sword” and “Shield” are no exception. There’s Scorbunny, a fire-type rabbit; there’s the water-type Sobble, a salamander-like creature; and then there’s Grookey, the grass-type monkey.

“I dig it. It’s a lot better,” says Peter Garcia. “It’s probably gonna look as good in your hands as it does on the screen.”

“As far as the game, we didn’t get much to look at, but as far as my excitement, I’d say it’s pretty high,” says Bernie Gonzalez. “I don’t have a Switch, so I’ll probably have to buy one.”

As for the aforementioned starter Pokémon, the overall consensus is that they’re “cute.”

“I think they’re really cute, but I don’t think they fit the world of Pokémon. So far I like them, but until their evolutions come out – we’ll see,” says Castro.

“They’re very adorable,” says Gonzalez. “Design-wise, they’re some of the best we’ve had since past ones.”

“I think they’re all basically cute. I heard [Scorbunny] looks like a Roger Rabbit wannabe. I’m excited nonetheless,” Garcia says with a grin. “I’ll go with [Sobble].”

  The games are slated for a “late 2019” release, so expect more announcements from Game Freak and Nintendo in the coming months.

Gotta catch ‘em all!