When it was announced thatPokemon SwordandShieldwas receiving post-launch DLC, many were indubitably shocked. This was such a major break for the franchise, something that hadn’t been done before, that everything fromPokemon’s futureto the shelf life of the current generation was called into question.
With Crown Tundra out now,Pokemon SwordandShieldare doing it again. The DLC expands the endgame content of the latest generation, allowing fans to partake in Dynamax adventures and collect legendaries, both new and old. However, it does something that only one other game has done before: put two generational gimmicks into one entry. And, while mostly anecdotal, it could add new evidence to the rumored Kalos DLC forPokemon SwordandShield.
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The Crown Tundra and The Ultra Beasts
Recent generations have also introduced new story and/or gameplay gimmicks to the game. Some of these were simply new, limited features likeco-op play inPokemon Let’s Go, Pikachu!andLet’s Go, Eevee!and champion defense inPokemon SunandMoon.Some of these, like double battles, became franchise mainstays, but the biggest gimmicks are usually region-locked, or at the very least, generation-locked.
For example, the generation 6Pokemon XandYintroduced Mega Evolutions, something that many initially criticized as too similar toDigimonbut also something that quickly grew on a lot of people. More Mega Evolutions are still requested to this day, and many expected generation 7 to double down on this. Instead, it swiped it away for the most part. The gen-7Pokemon SunandMoonintroduced Ultra Beasts, essentially extradimensional Pokemon with strange powers such as fusing with humans in the case of Lusamine-Nihilego.
Pokemon SunandMoonDID include Mega Evolution, but to little consequence. Mega Stones could be found after completingSunandMoon, with this new evolution type feeling tacked-on.Omega RubyandAlpha Sapphirealso introduce Primal Reversions, which are essentially just special mega evolutions for Groudon and Kyogre, and onto Gen 8 the story advanced.
Pokemon SwordandShieldeffectively did away with all of this. Mega Evolution isn’t possible, and prior to Crown Tundra, Ultra Beasts were irrelevant. However, whatPokemon SwordandShielddoes with Ultra Beastsis far better than whatSunandMoondid with Mega Evolutions.
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Pokemon Sword and Shield: Galarian Birds, Regi Titans, and Ultra Beasts
As aforementioned, Mega Evolutions inSunandMoonare essentially an afterthought, butPokemon SwordandShieldmakes Ultra Beasts unique encounters. It makes them feel like genuine endgame content equivalent to Dynamax adventures, catching the Galarian bird forms of Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno, and tracking downPokemon SwordandShield’s Regi Titans. In fact, to unlock Ultra Beasts, players have to catch all of the Galarian Birds and Regis to receive this legendary clue.
Furthermore, as the Crown Tundra is the home ofmany legendary Pokemon, it puts the Ultra Beasts on equal footing with their unique role.Pokemon SwordandShield’s Crown Tundra DLC respects the past while carving out the future, and this bodes well for the Kalos DLC rumors.
Pokemon Sword and Shield: Ultra Beasts Now, Mega Evolutions Soon?
For those who may be unfamiliar, there have been rumors circulating thatPokemon SwordandShieldare getting a third DLC. Admittedly, there hasn’t been much depth to these rumors outside of lore. With the release ofSwordandShield, many saw the caves, the juxta-position of the sea, the England-France Galar-Kalos connection, and the Great War as ways to suggest Galar and Kalos are connected. This has manifested in many ways, but many still linger for and believe that aKalos DLC is coming toPokemon SwordandShieldwith the current expansion pass now effectively over.
Of course, many are going big thinking that this could be a whole new region, but proving or disproving that is neither here not there. Assuming the rumors are somewhat true and Game Freak moves forward with a Kalos DLC, that impliesPokemon SwordandShieldwill add Mega Evolution. This, in turn, begs a ton of questions about Mega Evolution working alongside Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing, but it may be simpler than how it’s balanced.
With Ultra Beasts added to the game, there’s little reason to not go all in and add Mega Evolutions too. Whatever form this Kalos DLC could take, it’s clear that it wouldn’t just be a tacked-on addition to sate fans. Presumably, unlocking Mega Evolutions would be part of the aforementioned DLC, with the same respect given to Ultra Beasts given to Mega Evolutions. What that would like remains uncertain forPokemon SwordandShield,but withUltra Beasts now in the gameand not as some tertiary option for players, Mega Evolutions seem more possible than ever.
Pokemon SwordandShield’s Crown Tundra DLC is available now. A third DLC has not been confirmed.
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