Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the enhanced versions of the seventh generation Pokémon games, featured a variety of opportunities for players to obtain free Pokémon and promotional items. These opportunities ranged from non-player character (NPC) gifts within the game itself to time-limited promotional offers tied to the game's launch. For players in the UK seeking to maximise their collection without incurring additional costs, understanding these methods is essential. This guide details the available freebies based on information from the launch period, focusing on eligibility requirements, redemption methods, and the specific items distributed.
In-Game Gift Pokémon from NPCs
Within the Alolan Islands of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, numerous non-player characters will gift players Pokémon simply by engaging in conversation or completing a minor task. These gifts are entirely free and do not require the player to catch the Pokémon themselves. They are scattered across the game world and can be easily missed during a first playthrough.
Some of these gift Pokémon are particularly rare and valuable, such as Zygarde, Type: Null, and the Ultra Beast Poipole. The availability of certain Pokémon can be version-specific. For instance, the Pokémon received from the Sticker Album rewards differ between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. The Sticker Album, found at the Pokémon Center, allows players to redeem stickers collected throughout the game for various gifts. The rewards and their requirements are as follows:
- 20 Stickers: Gumshoos (Ultra Sun) / Alolan Raticate (Ultra Moon)
- 40 Stickers: Alolan Marowak (Ultra Sun) / Araquanid (Ultra Moon)
- 50 Stickers: Lurantis (Ultra Sun) / Salazzle (Ultra Moon)
- 70 Stickers: Vikavolt (Ultra Sun) / Togedemaru (Ultra Moon)
- 80 Stickers: Mimikyu
- 100 Stickers: Ribombee (Ultra Sun) / Kommo-o (Ultra Moon)
Beyond the Sticker Album, players can find NPCs gifting Pokémon at various locations. One of the earliest is on Route 1, where Professor Kukui will provide a Pokémon. The specific Pokémon and the conditions for receiving them are tied to the player's progress through the game. Locating these NPCs requires thorough exploration of each island.
Digital Distributions for Pokémon Bank Subscribers
A significant digital freebie available during the launch window was offered to subscribers of Pokémon Bank, a paid cloud-based storage service. Active subscribers could receive two Pokémon with Hidden Abilities: Oranguru and Passimian. These Pokémon were not standard versions available through normal gameplay in the Sun and Moon series.
Oranguru was distributed with the Hidden Ability Symbiosis, which allows it to pass its held item to an ally in Double or Triple Battles when that ally consumes its own item. This promotion was designed to reward loyal users of the Pokémon Bank service and provide them with unique, battle-ready Pokémon for use in the new games.
Launch Window Promotional Offers
The launch of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon was supported by a diverse ecosystem of freebies and promotional items. These offers were often time-limited and required specific actions to redeem.
Cross-Promotion with Pokémon GO
A cross-promotion with the mobile game Pokémon GO allowed trainers to obtain free in-game clothing items. This promotion was announced on Twitter and provided items that allowed "Pokémon GO" trainers to dress like the trainers found in the Alola region of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. The free items included sandals, shorts, sun hats, flowery tank tops, and sneakers. These items were available to all players of the mobile game at no cost during the promotional period.
Pre-Order Bonus Physical Merchandise
A significant number of physical freebies were offered as pre-order bonuses through various retailers, primarily in Japan. These items were exclusive to customers who pre-ordered the games prior to their launch. The specific items varied by retailer and the version of the game pre-ordered (Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon). Examples of retailer-specific bonuses included:
- Koshin Electric: A tissue box cover, with the colour being version-specific (orange for Ultra Sun, blue for Ultra Moon).
- Tsutaya: A reversible poster calendar, with the calendar side being orange for Ultra Sun and blue for Ultra Moon.
- Square Books: A microfiber cloth, with the design featuring Pikachu and Mimikyu for Ultra Sun, or an assortment of Pokémon for Ultra Moon.
- Toys R Us: A sticker sheet featuring Dusk Mane or Dawn Wings Necrozma, with the specific version received chosen at random.
- Bic Camera, Sofmap, or Kojima: One of two types of sticker sheets depending on the game version. Pre-ordering both games included nanoblock sets to build a Poké Ball and Quick Ball.
- Family Mart, Circle K, or Sunkus: An IC card sticker featuring Pikachu. Pre-ordering both games included a round pass case with a Poké Ball design.
- Futaba Books: An acrylic key holder, featuring the unevolved Alola first partner Pokémon for Ultra Sun, or the fully evolved Alola first partner Pokémon for Ultra Moon.
- Heiwado: A sheet of glittering stickers, with two different versions available based on the reserved game.
- Yamada Denki: A W pocket clear file.
In-Game Daily Activities
While not promotional freebies in the traditional sense, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon included daily in-game activities that provided free rewards. These activities were integrated into the game mechanics and could be performed once per day.
One such activity was the Malie City Gym. Unlike other gyms in the game, this was a Kanto-style gym that could be battled once per day for a fee of 1,000. Upon completion, players received a Fresh Water and the Surge Badge. The badge itself had no functional purpose in the game and would be replaced if the gym was defeated again, but the activity provided a daily source of experience points for the player's Pokémon.
Another daily activity was Pyukumuku Chucking, located at Hano Beach. Players could hire themselves to throw beached Pyukumuku back into the ocean. Completing this task once per day resulted in a financial reimbursement of 20,000.
Additionally, the Loto-ID feature in the Hau'oli City Shopping District's Tourist Center allowed players to potentially receive free items based on their Trainer ID number.
Conclusion
The launch of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon was supported by a diverse ecosystem of freebies. These ranged from digital content available to subscribers of a paid service (Pokémon Bank) to exclusive physical merchandise available to customers who pre-ordered at specific retailers. The promotional window also included a limited-time distribution of Shiny Legendary Pokémon that required a physical trip to a retailer to obtain a code, and a cross-promotion with the mobile game Pokémon GO. While many of these specific offers were time-limited, they illustrate the methods by which The Pokémon Company engages players during major game releases. For players seeking free Pokémon and items, a combination of thorough in-game exploration and staying informed about promotional periods is key.