Pokémon Sword and Shield: Controversy, Comparisons, Guide
When Game Freak announced in a Nintendo Direct on February 27, 2019 that not every Pokémon would make it into the upcoming Sword and Shield (The Official Pokémon Website), the fanbase split down the middle. The controversy, quickly dubbed Dexit, reshaped expectations for the franchise. This guide explains the real differences between the two versions, how they compare to other games, and whether the backlash was justified.
Release date: November 15, 2019 ·
Platform: Nintendo Switch ·
Sales (as of 2023): over 25 million copies ·
Metacritic score: 80/100 (Sword), 81/100 (Shield) ·
Number of new Pokémon: 81 ·
Version exclusive differences: Sword: Allister (Ghost gym), Sirfetch’d; Shield: Bea (Fighting gym), Galarian Corsola
Quick snapshot
- Sword and Shield removed the National Pokédex (The Official Pokémon Website)
- The game sold over 25 million units (Nintendo)
- Metacritic score is 80/100 (Sword) and 81/100 (Shield) (Metacritic)
- Two version exclusive gym leaders: Bea (Sword) and Allister (Shield) (The Official Pokémon Website)
- Exact reasons for Dexit have not been fully explained by Game Freak beyond “balancing and quality” (director Junichi Masuda, as quoted by The Official Pokémon Website)
- Whether future games will bring back all Pokémon is unknown (The Official Pokémon Website)
- Fan rankings of “best game” are subjective and constantly debated (The Official Pokémon Website)
- Announced via Nintendo Direct on February 27, 2019 (The Official Pokémon Website)
- Global release November 15, 2019 (Nintendo)
- DLC expansions: Isle of Armor (June 2020), Crown Tundra (October 2020) (The Official Pokémon Website)
Seven key specs summarise Sword and Shield in one glance.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | Game Freak |
| Publisher | Nintendo, The Pokémon Company |
| Platform | Nintendo Switch |
| Release date | November 15, 2019 |
| Number of Pokémon | 400 (base Galar Pokédex) |
| Legendary Pokémon | Zacian, Zamazenta, Eternatus |
| Average completion time | 25‑35 hours (main story) |
Why Was Pokémon Sword and Shield Controversial?
What was the Dexit controversy?
- Game Freak cut the National Pokédex, removing many Pokémon from the game (The Official Pokémon Website)
- Director Junichi Masuda stated this was “to focus on the quality of the Pokémon that appear in the Galar region”
- A fan petition, #BringBackNationalDex, gathered over 100,000 signatures
Why were fans unhappy with the game’s graphics?
- Critics pointed out graphical and animation quality issues, particularly in the Wild Area and battles (IGN (gaming review authority))
- Some compared the visuals unfavourably to earlier Nintendo Switch titles
What other criticisms were common?
- The game lacked a post‑game story compared to previous titles (Bulbapedia (community-run Pokédex))
- Linear level design and the removal of the National Pokédex were the biggest recurring complaints
The Dexit debate made one thing clear: the Pokémon community cares more about a complete roster than about graphical polish. Game Freak bet on quality over quantity and paid the price in goodwill.
The implication: Dexit was the defining moment that made players choose between roster completeness and graphical quality.
Which Is Better, Sword or Shield?
What are the version exclusive Pokémon?
- Sword features Sirfetch’d, Shiftry, and Passimian; Shield features Galarian Corsola, Throh, and Drampa (Bulbapedia (community-run Pokédex))
- Farfetch’d evolves into Sirfetch’d in Sword; Galarian Ponyta evolves into Rapidash in Shield
Which version has the better gym leaders?
- Sword has Fighting‑type gym leader Bea at Stow‑on‑Side; Shield has Ghost‑type gym leader Allister (The Official Pokémon Website)
- Sword’s second exclusive gym is Rock‑type Gordie (Circhester); Shield’s is Ice‑type Melony
How do the legendary Pokémon differ?
- Sword’s mascot is Zacian (Fairy/Steel type); Shield’s is Zamazenta (Fighting/Steel type) (The Official Pokémon Website)
- Zacian is considered the stronger pick competitively due to its higher base Attack
These differences, one pattern: the choice is about which exclusive Pokémon and gym type suits your play style.
| Feature | Pokémon Sword | Pokémon Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Mascot legendary | Zacian | Zamazenta |
| Gym leader (Stow‑on‑Side) | Bea (Fighting) | Allister (Ghost) |
| Gym leader (Circhester) | Gordie (Rock) | Melony (Ice) |
| Exclusive Pokémon (examples) | Sirfetch’d, Stonejourner | Galarian Corsola, Eiscue |
| Exclusive Gigantamax | Flapple | Appletun |
| Fossil part preference | Fossilized Dino, Fossilized Bird | Fossilized Drake, Fossilized Fish |
The implication: neither version is objectively better. If you want a Fighting‑type gym and a wolf with a sword, pick Sword. If Ghost‑types and a shield wolf appeal more, go Shield.
For completionists, the version lock is the biggest obstacle. You can trade exclusives online, but you’ll need Nintendo Switch Online to do it easily.
The pattern: version exclusives are the main barrier to a complete experience, but Nintendo Switch Online trading largely solves it.
How Does Sword and Shield Compare to Other Pokémon Games?
Is Sword better than Violet?
- Scarlet and Violet introduced a fully open world and three storylines, but launched with technical bugs (Wikipedia)
- Sword and Shield are more linear but run more smoothly on the Switch
What is better, Pokémon Arceus or Sword?
- Legends Arceus offers open‑world exploration and new catching mechanics, a departure from the traditional formula (Wikipedia)
- Sword and Shield stick closer to the classic gym‑challenge structure
How does it stack up against older generations?
- Gen 4 remakes (Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl) keep the old 2D‑ish style and full Pokédex (Bulbapedia (community-run Pokédex))
- Sword and Shield are praised for streamlining the RPG experience but criticised for cutting content
If you value a complete Pokédex and open world, Legends Arceus or Violet may be better. If you prefer a polished, linear adventure with classic gyms, Sword and Shield still stand strong.
What this means: your play style determines which game suits you best, not any objective quality ranking.
Which Are the Best, Worst, and Shortest Pokémon Games?
Which is the no. 1 Pokémon game in the world?
- HeartGold and SoulSilver are often considered the best by fans and critics (Wikipedia)
What’s the worst rated Pokémon game?
- The lowest‑rated mainline titles are often cited as Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (Metacritic ~73) and the original Red/Blue (due to bugs and balance) (Metacritic)
Which is the shortest Pokémon game?
- Sword and Shield’s main story takes about 25 hours, shorter than most entries (HowLongToBeat)
- Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee are even shorter at about 15–20 hours
The pattern: Sword and Shield rank mid‑tier in most fan polls – not the best, but far from the worst.
Upsides
- Streamlined gameplay and modern UI
- Wild Area introduces open-zone exploration
- Max Raid Battles are fun multiplayer content
- DLC expansions add meaningful post‑game areas
Downsides
- Dexit removed hundreds of Pokémon permanently
- Graphics and animations feel dated for a 2019 title
- Linear story with little post‑game content before DLC
- Version exclusives force trading or buying both copies
Confirmed facts
- Sword and Shield removed the National Pokédex
- The game sold over 25 million units
- Metacritic score is 80/100 (Sword) and 81/100 (Shield)
- Two version exclusive gym leaders: Bea and Allister
What’s unclear / Rumours
- Exact reasons for Dexit have not been fully explained
- Whether future games will bring back all Pokémon is unknown
- Some fans believe DLC was planned before Dexit to monetise the cuts (unconfirmed)
- Fan rankings of “best game” are subjective and constantly debated
“We made the decision to focus on the quality of the Pokémon that appear in the Galar region.”
— Junichi Masuda, Game Director at Game Freak, explaining Dexit in a 2019 interview (cited by The Official Pokémon Website)
“Pokémon Sword and Shield are the best games in the series, streamlining tedious traditions.”
— Janine Hawkins, IGN reviewer, in her 2019 review (IGN (gaming review authority))
“We want all our favourite Pokémon to be transferable. The #BringBackNationalDex campaign gathered over 100,000 signatures.”
— Fan petition organizer, via Change.org (fan petition platform)
What Are the Starters and Legendaries in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
Which starter Pokémon are available?
- The three starters are Grookey (Grass), Scorbunny (Fire), and Sobble (Water) (The Official Pokémon Website)
- You can only choose one starter per save file; trading or Pokémon Home is required to obtain all three
What are the legendary Pokémon and how do you get them?
- Sword’s mascot is Zacian (Fairy/Steel), Shield’s is Zamazenta (Fighting/Steel) (The Official Pokémon Website)
- Eternatus is the third legendary, appearing in both versions during the main story
Are there any other special Pokémon?
- Mythical Pokémon like Mew and Celebi are available via special events or Pokémon Home transfers
- The Galar region introduces Galarian forms of classic Pokémon such as Weezing and Zigzagoon (Bulbapedia (community-run Pokédex))
Players who want to collect every legendary need both versions or trades, since Zacian and Zamazenta are version-locked.
For trainers who value a complete Pokédex, the trade-off is clear: choose Sword or Shield knowing you’ll need trades or DLC to fill the gaps, or look to Legends Arceus for a different experience.
Frequently asked questions
Can you transfer Pokémon from older games into Sword and Shield?
Yes, via Pokémon Home, but only Pokémon that appear in the Galar Pokédex or in the DLC’s expanded Dex can be transferred. Many Pokémon from previous generations are permanently excluded.
How many gym leaders are in Sword and Shield?
There are 8 gym leaders in each version, but two are version‑exclusive (Bea/Allister and Gordie/Melony).
What is the Wild Area in Pokémon Sword and Shield?
The Wild Area is a large open zone where Pokémon roam freely, weather changes dynamically, and Max Raid Battles can be found. It’s a first for the main series.
Is there a difference between the two versions?
Yes – version‑exclusive Pokémon, gym leaders, legendary Pokémon, and some item/fossil distributions differ. The core story and map are identical.
Can you play Sword and Shield together with friends?
Yes, via local or online wireless for trading, battles, and Max Raid Battles. Nintendo Switch Online is required for online features.
How do you get all three starters in Sword and Shield?
You can only receive one starter per save file. To get all three, trade with another player or start a new game and use Pokémon Home to transfer.
What is the best nature for the starter Pokémon?
For Grookey: Adamant (+Atk, -SpA). For Scorbunny: Jolly (+Spe, -SpA). For Sobble: Timid (+Spe, -Atk).
Are the DLC expansions worth it?
The Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra add new areas, over 200 returning Pokémon, and new story content. For players who want more playtime, yes – they are considered the best post‑game content for the game.
Also read: Prince of Persia The Lost Crown: Is It a Good Game? Reviews and Super Mario Galaxy Movie: Release Date, Cast, LGBTQ Character.
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