Pokémon Sword
Nintendo Switch

Pokémon Sword

72
Critic Rating
#Role-playing (RPG)

About

A turn-based role-playing game set in the Galar region, a fictional land inspired by the United Kingdom. Players catch, train, and battle creatures called Pokémon while traveling across the region to collect eight Gym badges and ultimately challenge the reigning Champion. The game introduces the Dynamax and Gigantamax mechanics, which temporarily transform Pokémon into giant forms with enhanced attacks. A fully explorable open-world Wild Area connects major locations, with weather-dependent Pokémon encounters and cooperative raid battles for up to four players. The first mainline Pokémon entry on the Nintendo Switch, it notably adopted DLC expansions instead of the series' traditional enhanced re-releases.

Storyline

A young trainer in the Galar region receives their first Pokémon from Leon, the undefeated Champion of the Galar League and older brother to their best friend Hop. Endorsed to take on the Gym Challenge, the player and Hop set out across Galar to earn eight badges and prove themselves worthy of facing Leon in the Champion Cup. Along the way, they encounter rival challengers, the rowdy fan group Team Yell, and the powerful chairman Rose, who oversees both the League and the region's energy corporation. While pursuing the Gym Challenge, the player uncovers a deeper mystery tied to an ancient catastrophe known as the Darkest Day and two legendary Pokémon said to have saved Galar from it long ago. As Rose's ambitions threaten to unleash this power again, the player must confront forces far beyond a simple tournament.

Playtime Estimates

Main Story25.6h
Main + Extra44.8h
Completionist110.7h
All Styles42.0h
Confidence: 85%Updated: 4/9/2026

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Current store offers for selected market.

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Languages

LanguageSupport
Chinese (Traditional)Interface
Chinese (Simplified)Interface
EnglishInterface
FrenchInterface
GermanInterface
JapaneseInterface
ItalianInterface
KoreanInterface
Spanish (Spain)Interface
Portuguese (Brazil)Interface

Similar Games

DLCs & Expansions

Game Info

Release Date11/15/2019
DeveloperGame Freak
PublisherNintendo
PlatformsNintendo Switch
GenresRole-playing (RPG), Turn-based strategy (TBS), Adventure
IGDB Rating72/100 (307)

Game Modes

Single player
Multiplayer

Themes

Fantasy
Open world

Perspectives

Third person
Bird view / Isometric

Release Dates

Nintendo SwitchNov 15, 2019