Pokemon Sword and Shield will return you to the glory days of Chubby Pikachu, and it will make the lovable lad an even more absolute unit through the power of Gigantamax. The latest "Galar Research Update" from The Pokemon Company revealed five new Gigantamax forms for Pokemon, three of which will be special rewards for playing previous games or purchasing and playing Sword and Shield early.
In case you're not already familiar with the term, "Gigantamax" is a special form that certain Pokemon can achieve when their trainer activates Dynamax. For most Pokemon, Dynamax (which can only be used once in certain battles, like in gyms) will just make them huge and powerful. For others, like the previously revealed Alcremie, it makes them huge and look different, along with giving them a special G-Max move.
You can unlock the ability to use Gigantamax Pikachu by bringing in play records from Pokemon Let's Go, Pikachu, and Eevee with records from Pokemon Let's Go, Eevee. Gigantamax Meowth, AKA Long Meowth, is yours if you start playing the game by January 15, 2020 - that gives you a two-month window to grab the game, though you might as well pre-order Pokemon Sword and Shield if you want some other potential bonuses.
Here are all the newly revealed Gigantamax Pokemon forms and their accompanying G-Max moves.
Gigantamax Pikachu
New move: G-Max Volt Crash
Paralyzes all opponents.
Gigantamax Eevee
New move: G-Max Cuddle
Opposite-gender opponents become infatuated.
Gigantamax Meowth
New move: G-Max Gold Rush
Confuses all targets and earns an in-game cash bonus.
Gigantamax Charizard
New move: G-Max Wildfire
All non-fire types take damage for four turns
Gigantamax Butterfree
New move: G-Max Befuddle
Causes Poison, Paralysis, or Asleep status
You don't have to do anything special to get Gigantamax Charizard or Butterfree, so everyone will be free to send their own personal Godzillas and Mothras into battle.
See all the confirmed Pokemon so far in our Pokemon Sword and Shield Pokedex.
