Pokémon Sword and Shield fans are currently giddy at the prospect of exploring the brand new Galar region teeming with wildlife to catch later this year, and for good reason. Announced last month via a special Nintendo Direct, the pair will be the first-ever entries in the mainline series to be made specifically for a home console, meaning developer Game Freak is finally free to explore new opportunities provided by superior hardware.
As the last to be released for Nintendo’s ageing 3DS, 2017’s quasi-sequels Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon noticeably pushed the handheld to its limits, but now? Expectations are at an all-time high, and of the in-game footage of Sword and Shield we’ve been privy to so far, it’s likely safe to assume that pre-order figures will be off the charts this time around.
As reported previously, both versions have been available to pre-order for quite some time now, but which retailer is offering the most lucrative deal this time around? Well, as standard, pre-ordering either version from GameStop, Walmart, Best Buy or Amazon will set you back the expected $59.99, though the latter two are offering additional incentives to sweeten the deal.
For Amazon Prime subscribers, the online retail giant is skimming $10 off the top of Sword and Shield‘s usual asking prices while subscribers to Best Buy’s loyalty program have access to $10 of reward credit. For those across the pond in the UK, such bargains have yet to make themselves known, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted, should any crop up.
Pokémon Sword and Shield are due to release at the tail end of 2019, as per Game Freak’s original announcement, so Pokéfans still have a wait ahead of them until the big day. As always, vast numbers of supposed leaks have surfaced online since the official announcement, though we’re sure you know by now to take each with a generous pinch of salt. Regardless, expect more concrete details to come via this year’s E3.
