Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • Submit your game clips
  • GDC
Don't miss these
Pikachu facing an angry Raichu in the Pokemon anime series.
Pokemon Game Freak can't add hundreds of new Pokemon and more Types every generation or else new games would take too long
A Gigantamax Machamp appears - from Pokemon Sword and Shield's entry in The Story of Pokemon bookazine
Pokemon These five Pokemon Sword and Shield features made huge changes, taking the RPG series from handheld to the big screen
Pokemon Red and Blue key art
Pokemon Pokemon boss has a very straightforward plan for future releases: "keep making fun games"
A screenshot of Pokemon Pokopia showing Ditto and Bulbasaur growing more grass in a blocky, green field
Pokemon Pokopia lead wants to "scale" games "aside from battling," as "there are also lots of different ways to enjoy Pokemon"
Ash Ketchum and team hoisting a Pokemon championship trophy
Pokemon Pokemon boss says while making "the next game," he's driven by how the series "has the power to connect the world"
A screenshot of the player character looking at the three starter Pokemon in Pokemon Winds and Waves.
Pokemon Pokemon being "a game for children" is "a misunderstanding," Game Freak veteran once said
Pokemon Red and Blue key art
Pokemon OG Pokemon devs struggled to fit their iconic RPG onto a Game Boy cartridge: "It was a fight against capacity"
A trainer standing on a rock next to the ocean during Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves confirmed to be open world, with Game Freak unphased by Scarlet and Violet's woes
Pokemon Winds and Waves
Pokemon Pokemon Winds and Waves continues a sentimental tradition I've had for 27 years, and it still sets the RPG series apart
A screenshot from the Pokemon Pokopia trailer shows Ditto transformed into a human.
Simulation Games Pokemon Pokopia features persistent private servers with unlimited member caps, but you'll have to "swap in and out"
Pokemon Red and Blue key art
Pokemon "We had no idea this would be such a phenomenon": As Pokemon Red and Blue turn 30, here's how Game Freak created one of the most important RPGs of all time
Venusaur artwork
Pokemon Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are skipping Switch Online because Nintendo "thought it would be fun"
Blastoise seen in the Pokemon Origins anime series.
Pokemon Pokemon Red and Green boss says the RPGs needed "a great deal of trial and error" to realize the devs' "simple concept"
Palworld
Survival Games As Palworld fails to escape Pokemon comparisons following card game announcement, one dev agrees some are being dramatic
A screenshot from Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen shows a male player character on a bike in a town.
Pokemon Pokemon lead gets "nostalgic" about FireRed and LeafGreen, recalls being "thrilled" by its wireless multiplayer
  1. Games
  2. Adventure
  3. Pokemon
  4. Pokemon Sword and Shield

Game Freak doubles down on its decision to limit the amount of Pokémon available in Sword and Shield

News
By Aron Garst published 29 June 2019

Gotta catch some of em!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Game Freak caused a lot of hubub at E3 this year after saying that Pokemon Sword and Shield wouldn't let players transfer every known Pokémon into the game via the Pokémon Bank. Each game from now on will only have a select number of Pokémon included.

That means that you won't be able to catch em' all anymore. After the news broke at E3 fans of all shapes and sizes voiced their disappointment on Twitter, Reddit, and elsewhere. They were upset that they will no longer be able to keep their full collection of Pokémon going with each new game release. 

Earlier today, Game Freak's Junichi Masuda released a statement on the official Pokémon website, reaffirming the original news to restrict the amount of pocket monsters in Sword and Shield.

You may like
  • Pikachu facing an angry Raichu in the Pokemon anime series. Game Freak can't add hundreds of new Pokemon and more Types every generation or else new games would take too long
  • A Gigantamax Machamp appears - from Pokemon Sword and Shield's entry in The Story of Pokemon bookazine These five Pokemon Sword and Shield features made huge changes, taking the RPG series from handheld to the big screen
  • Pokemon Red and Blue key art Pokemon boss has a very straightforward plan for future releases: "keep making fun games"

"Thank you to all of our fans for caring so deeply about Pokémon. Recently, I shared the news that some Pokémon cannot be transferred to Pokémon Swordand Pokémon Shield. I've read all your comments and appreciate your love and passion for Pokémon.

Just like all of you, we are passionate about Pokémon and each and every one of them is very important to us. After so many years of developing the Pokémon video games, this was a very difficult decision for me. I'd like to make one thing clear: even if a specific Pokémon is not available in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, that does not mean it will not appear in future games.

The world of Pokémon continues to evolve. The Galar region offers new Pokémon to encounter, Trainers to battle, and adventures to embark on. We are pouring our hearts into these games, and we hope you will look forward to joining us on this new journey."

So despite the outrage, it looks like Game Freak is sticking to their guns.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

If you're excited about Pokemon Sword and Shield, why not check out our pick of the best upcoming Switch games for 2019 and beyond? 

CATEGORIES
Nintendo Switch Platforms Nintendo
Aron Garst
Contributor

Aron Garst is a journalist and writer exploring the future of games and interactivity. Follow him on X at @GarstProduction.

Read more
Pikachu facing an angry Raichu in the Pokemon anime series.
Pokemon Game Freak can't add hundreds of new Pokemon and more Types every generation or else new games would take too long
 
 
A Gigantamax Machamp appears - from Pokemon Sword and Shield's entry in The Story of Pokemon bookazine
Pokemon These five Pokemon Sword and Shield features made huge changes, taking the RPG series from handheld to the big screen
 
 
Pokemon Red and Blue key art
Pokemon Pokemon boss has a very straightforward plan for future releases: "keep making fun games"
 
 
A screenshot of Pokemon Pokopia showing Ditto and Bulbasaur growing more grass in a blocky, green field
Pokemon Pokopia lead wants to "scale" games "aside from battling," as "there are also lots of different ways to enjoy Pokemon"
 
 
Ash Ketchum and team hoisting a Pokemon championship trophy
Pokemon Pokemon boss says while making "the next game," he's driven by how the series "has the power to connect the world"
 
 
A screenshot of the player character looking at the three starter Pokemon in Pokemon Winds and Waves.
Pokemon Pokemon being "a game for children" is "a misunderstanding," Game Freak veteran once said
 
 
Latest in Pokemon
Zoomed-in, cropped box art for Pokemon FireRed shows Charizard roaring.
Pokemon "The biggest time save in nearly a decade of Pokemon speedrunning" has been discovered in FireRed
 
 
Ditto and Onix in Pokemon Pokopia
Pokemon Minecraft griefing returns in Pokemon Pokopia as player ruins "public island for co-op building" with 0 guilt
 
 
Pikachu on a brick path looking up over its shoulder into the foreground
Tabletop Gaming If you want to collect Pokemon cards again like me, this is the best place to start
 
 
Pokemon Pokopia Mosslax
Pokemon New Pokemon Pokopia update addresses early-game softlocking and more, because we all deserve to meet Mosslax ASAP
 
 
A player runs towards the Pokemon Pokopia release time
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia fan creates Cloud Island you can use to get the cozy game's rarest goodies, Animal Crossing-style
 
 
Five Nights at Freddy's 2
Tabletop Gaming Mckenna Grace opens Pokemon cards at the Oscars, and it's one hell of a vibe
 
 
Latest in News
Palworld
Survival Games "We have no desire to be a media empire," says Palworld publishing head but Pocketpair would be stupid to let it die out
 
 
Protagonist Jordan in a screenshot from the reveal trailer for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
The Last of Us Neil Druckmann's teasing the return of a The Last of Us actor in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
 
 
A screenshot of the Adoring Fan seen in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered.
The Elder Scrolls Todd Howard says Oblivion leaks didn't help Bethesda or players: "Everyone is gonna have a different version"
 
 
Slay the Spire 2
Roguelike Games Slay the Spire 2 devs respond to the flurry of negative Steam reviews: "No change is necessarily permanent"
 
 
Crimson Desert
Open World Games "My dream game": After 7 hours, Palworld publishing lead delivers his Crimson Desert verdict: "This game is made for me"
 
 
Zoomed-in, cropped box art for Pokemon FireRed shows Charizard roaring.
Pokemon "The biggest time save in nearly a decade of Pokemon speedrunning" has been discovered in FireRed
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace in Project Hail Mary
    1
    Project Hail Mary has convinced me to start getting excited for Star Wars: Starfighter
  2. 2
    "We have no desire to be a media empire," says Palworld publishing head but Pocketpair would be stupid to let it die out
  3. 3
    Neil Druckmann's teasing the return of a The Last of Us actor in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet
  4. 4
    Todd Howard says Oblivion leaks didn't help Bethesda or players: "Everyone is gonna have a different version"
  5. 5
    Slay the Spire 2 devs respond to the flurry of negative Steam reviews: "No change is necessarily permanent"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...