It’s time to catch ’em all! Pokémon Sword and Shield has won over critics and gamers alike. It blends the nostalgia of older entries in the game with some updated features that will please fans new and old. While many are unhappy about the omission of a variety of characters, others are hyped about everything this game can do: from going on raids against gigantic Pokémon to immersive battles where the crowd can roar, there is a lot to be excited about.
One other feature of this game is its sheer size. There is so much to see and do, which brings us to the purpose of this list. Even though you may consider yourself a Pokémon master, there are likely a lot of things you may have missed on your first playthrough. So, allow us to give you an excuse to rev up this game again. Here are ten things everyone completely missed in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
10 Is That A Nintendo Switch In Your Room?
Nintendo sure knows how to add in that extra detail or two. When you are playing as your lead character in the game, take a look around your room. If you spot something that looks uniquely familiar, don’t think that you see something that isn’t there. The developers decided to include a Nintendo Switch in your room. If you didn’t miss that, you likely went past this detail: the colors of the Joy-Cons change depending on the ones you are using with your Switch. This company is exceptional at marketing, even within the confines of the game.
9 Items Respawn In The Game
You may want to remember where you found that curry food or Pokéball. Why? Well, items will respawn. You can go back to retrieve goodies that you have picked up along the way.
However, be sure to watch out for the sparkles that hover over the grass. Respawning also goes for NPCs as well. If an NPC gifted you with an item, head back after a playthrough since these items will also respawn.
8 Don’t Miss Setting Up That Birthday
If no one acknowledges your birthday, Nintendo sure will! If you enter your birthday when the game asks, then you can expect the acknowledgment of the year. Get ready to see birthday cakes, tailored in-game events, and even a surprise party. It may not seem like much, but it is pretty cool that Nintendo goes the extra effort to make you feel a little special on the day you walked onto Earth. So, if you are feeling a bit lonely on your bday, sign onto Sword and Shield. You will have a not-so-surprise party waiting for you.
7 Get Some Free Money In The Wild Area
A lot goes on in the Wild Area—hence the name. However, one thing you want to be sure to get is Watts, the currency that can only be used in the area. Did you know you can get more of this money by engaging with inactive dens? Well, you can.
Even if a den is not glowing, you can walk up to it and find some Watts. Again, we know there is a lot to do in this game, but you never want to turn down free cash. As a result, be sure to take a moment and search through those dens that look empty.
6 Have That Spin Swag Like Leon
Did you know that you can strike a pose, and style out like Galarian Champion Leon? Well, take some time to do some spins. If you do, you will spin around like Leon. While this may seem surface, there is another excellent reason to do this. This feature is the only way to help evolve the Pokémon, Milcery. So, now you know a fun thing to do for nostalgic purposes while also evolving a new Pokémon.
5 Did You Know You Can Get A Giant Meowth
Again, a lot is going on in Sword and Shield. Ultimately, the game requires you to do some additional research as you play. Fortunately, the team here at TheGamer has decided to take this task on for you. One cool gem that we found is the Gigantamax Meowth. This Pokémon can be obtained by any player in the Mystery Gift option. You may be asking what the catch is. Well, you have to do this before January 15, 2020. Why? We have no idea, but if you are serious about grabbing this guy, get on it today!
4 Get New Ingredients And Rewards For Cooking With NPCs
NPCs have many functions in this game, and most of them are for your benefit. If you stop at the campsite of an NPC, then they will often pass some stellar ingredients your way (which you can use then or save for another time).
Alternatively, if you continue to master your curry-making game, then they will also send rewards your way. If we received this many goodies for cooking outside the game, we would do it more.
3 Use A Whistle To Battle Flying Pokémon
Somewhere in the gaming manual (do they even still have those?), this tidbit can probably be found in there. However, who in the world has time to read those? We know you likely prefer to jump right in, so we will save you the time of researching this tip. Flying Pokémon may seem as if they are out of reach, but they aren’t. If you press on the left stick, you can whistle at a flying Pokémon to draw them in for a battle. Whistle while you work takes on a new meaning here.
2 Have A Conversation With A Ghost
In the midst of all that battling and training, you may have missed one of the most disturbing and engaging plotlines in the game. If you head to the town of Hammerlocke, you will meet a girl that asks you to deliver a letter to her friend Frank. Easy enough, right?
Well, when you do find a boy that matches the description, you find out the message is instead for his…grandfather. The guy recognizes the letter and who wrote it. Ready for the creep out moment? Head back to the location, and the girl has vanished. This one is so subtle; it is undoubtedly easy to miss.
1 Get Gigantamax Pikachu Or Eevee Through A Conversation
Who knew that capturing powerful Pokémon only took a casual conversation? Why can’t it all be straightforward like this? Well, depending on your Pokémon Let’s Go! save data, you can grab Gigantamax Pikachu or Gigantamax Eevee through a conversation with someone at the train station. There is an NPC right outside of the Wild Area station, and if you speak with them, they will give you one of these Pokémon with perfect stats. How cool is that?
NEXT: Pokémon: 5 Ways Sword & Shield Moves The Franchise Forward (& 5 Why It’s Stuck In The Past)
