Pokémon Sword & Shield are set to release and fans are losing their minds with anticipation. Unfortunately for those looking to go in blind the games have suffered massive leaks online that have had Nintendo scrambling to shut down any and every Youtube video discussing the leaks.
Depending on who you ask, giant game leaks like this before a release are either incredible or devastating. Despite Pokémon Sword & Shield having been a victim of this, let's look at 5 possible surprises in the games and 5 things we already had spoiled for us.
10 Spoiled: Gigantamax
When the Dynamax gimmick was revealed for Pokémon Sword & Shield fans were left scratching their heads at it. Well, it turns out that it was the base version of a more impressive thing called Gigantamax which in many ways is this generation's version of Mega-Evolutions.
With the entire Pokédex leaking for the games it just so happens that the list included every Gigantamax form possible in the games and spoiled what each of these transformations looked like when the Pokémon grew in size.
9 Surprise: Shiny Forms
Trainers may now know every pokémon to look out for in the Galar region, but there still are some surprises left in wild encounters. Everyone still isn't sure what the shiny versions of all of these Galarian Pokémon are going to look like.
This means that you can head into your next adventure with a true sense of discovery as a new mystery waits under every unturned rock or in a patch of tall grass. If you come across a shiny Pokémon, then GameFreak has done a good job of making it obvious and apparent.
8 Spoiled: Gym Leaders
Knowing the gym leaders when heading into a new Pokémon game can be extremely advantageous. By knowing which types you'll be facing off against you can develop a plan regarding which pokémon to catch and train to go into every gym without having any terrible disadvantages.
All of the gym leaders have leaked for the games, though they haven't been as focused on as the Pokédex among other things. Do yourself a favor and go in blind with regards to the Galar region gym leaders.
7 Surprise: Red & Blue
Trainers are holding out hope at the possibility of Red and/or Blue making an appearance in the game at some point. Whether one of them appears post-game to challenge you in a battle, or if they happen to be visiting the Galar region for one reason or another, it would be a neat surprise.
Some fans are tired of the first generation of games being included in everything as it seems to get more love than the other generations, but Pokémon as a franchise wouldn't be what it is now without those first games.
6 Spoiled: Starter Evolutions
Now, every time a new set of Pokémon games is set to release there comes a pivotal moment for every trainer looking to go on an adventure. That pivotal moment happens to be when you finally decide which starter Pokémon you'll be selected.
Some people choose based on the initial form and let the evolutions surprise them, while others base their decision on the look of the final form. This generation has very polarizing evolutions so it may be in your best interest to sneak a peek at them this time around.
5 Surprise: How To Evolve
The Pokédex leaked which means trainers now know every new Galar region pokémon and what they evolve into and from. Taking a glance at it may take away the mystery of what lies in the Galar region, but there is still plenty to find out.
How and when each of these new Pokémon evolves still isn't common knowledge which means that there's something left for trainers to discover. Research might also be the right move as you don't want to put tons of effort into a Dunsparce type of situation.
4 Spoiled: Galarian Forms
In Pokémon Sun & Moon trainers were introduced to the concept of region variants. This meant that Pokémon native to Kanto had a variant look and typing on the Alolan Islands.
Fans took to this and thankfully the Galar region also has Galarian forms of Pokémon from numerous other regions. The surprise here on which Pokémon received these new forms was something that was ruined by the Pokédex leak. You still have to go out and catch them, so at least there's that.
3 Surprise: The Plot
Are Pokémon games known for having deep storytelling and engaging narratives? No, not particularly. That being said, the plot of this game is one of the few things that hasn't leaked and for better or worse that's mostly because people overlook it.
New and interesting Pokémon happen to be the vital information people want to know. Thanks to this most people are unclear what the journey through the Galar region will look like, so if you're grumpy about the leaks find solace in this silver lining.
2 Spoiled: The Entire Pokédex
Often in the weeks leading up to a new generation of Pokémon games, fans will be treated to the leak of the final evolutions for the starters and maybe a new Pokémon or two. Rarely is it that the entire Pokédex leaks almost 2 weeks before the games hit physical and digital store shelves.
With a little effort and self-restraint, one can avoid spoiling the entire roster for themselves, but it comes down to temptation. It's hard to commit to being the only one among your friends out of the conversation leading up to release.
1 Surprise: Post-Game
The post-game in Pokémon titles varies each generation and can span from a lackluster addition to something that feels truly magical and worthwhile. It's still unclear what the post-game for Sword & Shield will look like and trainers can look forward to uncovering this for themselves as they journey through the Galar region.
Tons of surprises are possible as familiar faces both good and evil can appear at any moment. It will be interesting to see what happens with The Wild Area once players have become league champions.