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Pokémon Sun and Moon

Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are a pair of role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company for the Nintendo 3DS.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are a pair of role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company for the Nintendo 3DS. Released in 2016, they are the first mainline games of Generation VII and are set in the Alola region, which is inspired by tropical island geography. The games introduced new features including Z-Moves, Alolan forms, and Ultra Beasts, and were released in Canada alongside other global markets.

Gameplay

Pokémon Sun and Moon are role-playing games in which the player catches, trains, and battles Pokémon. They also added new mechanics such as Z-Moves and updated battle and training systems.

Setting

The games take place in the Alola region, an island chain with a distinct tropical culture and ecology. Alola includes Pokémon native to the region as well as species that migrated there from elsewhere.

Development and release

Game Freak developed the titles for Nintendo 3DS, and they were released in 2016 to mark the Pokémon franchise's 20th anniversary. Regional release dates varied by market, with North America, Japan, and Australia receiving the games on November 18, 2016, and Europe on November 23, 2016.

New features

The games introduced Alolan forms of older Pokémon, new battle mechanics such as Z-Moves, and the Ultra Beasts concept. They also featured version differences, including time behavior and exclusive encounters.

Key facts

  • They are the first mainline games in Generation VII.
  • The games are set in the Alola region, a tropical archipelago inspired by Hawaii.
  • The games introduced Z-Moves, Alolan forms, and Ultra Beasts.
  • Different version-exclusive Pokémon and other content encourage trading between the two versions.
  • Pokémon Moon uses a 12-hour time shift relative to real time, while Pokémon Sun follows the system clock.
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Canadian context

Pokémon Sun and Moon were released in Canada on Nintendo 3DS and were part of the globally distributed mainline Pokémon series that remained popular with Canadian players.

Frequently asked questions

What are Pokémon Sun and Moon?
They are paired role-playing video games in the Pokémon series, released for Nintendo 3DS and set in the Alola region.
Who developed Pokémon Sun and Moon?
Game Freak developed the games, and The Pokémon Company published them.
When were Pokémon Sun and Moon released?
They launched in November 2016, with North America, Japan, and Australia on November 18 and Europe on November 23.
What is the Alola region?
Alola is the tropical island setting of the games. It is presented as a resort-like region with its own ecology and culture.
How are Sun and Moon different?
Pokémon Moon has a 12-hour time shift relative to real time, while Pokémon Sun follows the Nintendo 3DS system clock. They also include different version-exclusive content.
What new features did they add?
Major additions included Z-Moves, Alolan forms, Ultra Beasts, and revised battle and training mechanics.

References

  1. Pokémon Wiki (Fandom) — https://pokemon.fandom.com/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Sun_and_Pok%C3%A9mon_Moon
    Supports: Identifies Sun and Moon as the first pair of Generation VII games.
  2. Pokémon Database — https://www.pokemondb.net/sun-moon
    Supports: States platform, release dates, and director information.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Sun_and_Moon
    Supports: Summarizes setting, gameplay features, and Generation VII status.
  4. Fun Kids Live — https://www.funkidslive.com/new/everything-need-know-pokemon-sun-pokemon-moon/
    Supports: Describes the Alola setting, version time difference, and version-specific differences.
  5. Nintendo — https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/News/2016/October/Learn-all-about-Pokemon-Sun-and-Pokemon-Moon-in-our-in-depth-interview-1149779.html
    Supports: Confirms Nintendo 3DS family system release context.