Pokémon Sword and Shield

Top Critic Average

65%

Critics Recommend

NEW

Player Rating

IGN

9.3 / 10

Eurogamer

No Recommendation

Game Rant

4 / 5

GamesRadar+

4.5 / 5

Game Informer

8.8 / 10

GameSpot

9 / 10

VG247

3 / 5

Hardcore Gamer

4.5 / 5

View All 127 Critic Reviews

Creators: Nintendo, Game Freak

Release Date: Nov 15, 2019 - Nintendo Switch

Pokémon Sword and Shield Review Summary

Critic Consensus

New Ways to Catch 'Em All

Wild Areas and Dynamax creatures are a fun new twist on the formula.

Complex Combat

Game Freak has modernized the battle system for the better.

Plays It Safe

Not without new features, some were expecting a bigger leap for the series' first home console entry.

Despite some alleged controversy, Pokemon Sword and Shield is a highly appreciated entry for the series. Making its home console debut on Nintendo Switch, the series maybe could've taken a bigger step forward, but it's still the best entry in years according to most.

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Pokémon Sword and Shield Trailers

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield - Nintendo Direct 9.4.2019 - Nintendo Switch

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Gameplay - Nintendo Treehouse: Live | E3 2019

Pokémon Direct 6.5.2019

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Pokémon Sword and Shield Screenshots

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Critic Reviews for Pokémon Sword and Shield

IGN

Casey DeFreitas

9.3 / 10.0

Pokemon Sword and Shield are the best games in the series, streamlining its most tedious traditions without losing any of the charm.

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Eurogamer

Chris Tapsell

No Recommendation / Blank

Pok'mon Sword and Shield add some brilliant new creatures, but like their gargantuan Dynamax forms, the games feel like a hollow projection.

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Game Rant

Joshua Duckworth

Despite a few shortcomings in mechanics and story, Pokemon Sword and Shield delivers an experience that is undeniably Pokemon.

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GamesRadar+

Sam Loveridge

Gameplay tweaks and attention to detail make Pokemon Sword and Shield the most compelling Pokemon world to date.

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Game Informer

Brian Shea

8.8 / 10.0

The compelling formula of simultaneously building your collections of monsters and gym badges has proven timeless, but the new additions and enhancements show Pokémon isn't done evolving

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GameSpot

Kallie Plagge

9 / 10

Pokemon Sword and Shield scale down the bloated elements of the series while improving what really matters, making for the best new generation in years.

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VG247

Alex Donaldson

Pokemon Sword & Shield is all too often a bit disappointing, and in some places actually feels a little unfinished, but it also fully provides that warm, fuzzy feeling that one expects from the series. Crucially, even through frustration, never once did I think about putting it down, which is to its credit. It comes recommended almost for the Galar setting and new Pokemon alone, but with a long list of caveats indeed.

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