Skip to main content

‘Pokémon Sun,’ ‘Moon’ data miners extract new characters, Alolan forms from demo

A demo version of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, Nintendo’s upcoming monster-battling role-playing games, unintentionally revealed dozens of new creatures, forms, and evolutions ahead of the planned November launch of the two games — and data miners are quickly spreading word of their discoveries.

Upon disassembling the demo versions of Pokémon Sun and Moon, hackers discovered that the games’ data contained 3D models and images featuring dozens of previously unannounced Pokémon characters, including the final evolved forms of the games’ starter Pokémon. Be warned: This article and the video linked above contain spoilers for the upcoming retail versions of Pokémon Sun and Moon.

Recommended Videos

Launching worldwide next month, Pokémon Sun and Moon are the latest entries in Nintendo’s long-running monster-collecting RPG series. Pokémon Sun and Moon shift the franchise to a tropical setting, and introduces an array of regional Pokémon variants alongside critters never before seen in previous Pokémon games.

Pokémon Sun and Moon‘s alternate “Alolan” forms of returning Pokémon have garnered a great degree of discussion among fans in recent months. Data miners have discovered that 3D models of many Alolan creatures are hidden within the new demo, including reimagined versions of first-generation Pokémon like Diglett, Dugtrio, Persian, and the Geodude family.

Fans may be disappointed to find that Nintendo has limited plans for its Alolan creature subset, however. Based on data mined so far, it seems unlikely that the final versions of Pokémon Sun and Moon will feature Alolan variants of Pokémon creatures from generations beyond the series’ initial Game Boy releases.

The demo additionally outed the existence of eight ultra beasts, which feature designs that contrast sharply with existing Pokémon creatures. Currently, it’s unknown what role ultra beasts will have in Pokémon Sun and Moon‘s storyline.

Pokémon Sun and Moon will launch at retail, as well as digitally via the Nintendo 3DS eShop, on November 18.

Danny Cowan
Former Contributor
Danny’s passion for video games was ignited upon his first encounter with Nintendo’s Duck Hunt, and years later, he still…
Nintendo confirms the actors saving Hyrule in the live-action Legend of Zelda film
Link pulls out the master sword in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

After months of speculation, Nintendo has finally confirmed the two actors for the lead roles in the upcoming live-action Legend of Zelda film: Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth. The casting choices were announced this morning by Shigeru Miyamoto, who said that he is "very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen."

The announcement also reiterated a release date of May 7, 2027. Nintendo announced the new release date last month. Originally slated for a March 2027 release, that would have put it in direct competition with "Avengers: Secret Wars" (which has also been delayed now).

Read more
The best games that are (probably) older than you that are still worth playing
The colorful main cast of characters in Chrono Trigger.

It's no secret that there are tons of amazing games coming out every day, plus an endless list of upcoming video games across all genres. We all love getting the latest and greatest games, which tend to have the best graphics, tightest gameplay, and maybe even cross-platform support to play with friends online. But sometimes it is nice to go back and see where games were a few decades ago. Those who played games from the early console generations might have their opinions clouded by nostalgia a bit, but there are still some shining examples of games that hold up just as well today as they did back then. Watch me turn into dust as I share a handful of amazing games that are likely older than you that are still worth playing.

Tetris

Read more
Steam delists hundreds of adult games
Steam Games

Why it matters: Vague policies on platforms like Steam risk chilling developer creativity, especially for indie creators tackling edgy themes, while raising broader concerns about content freedom in gaming amid global regulations.

The news: Valve quietly updated its Steamworks guidelines to ban content violating payment processors' rules, targeting "certain kinds" of adult-only material that's not properly labeled or age-gated.

Read more