A Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon player has evolved from Litten into Incineroar before meeting their rival, Hau, and creates hilarious interactions with Hau, Mom, and others in the early portions of the game. The fact that the camera changes angles during the interactions to accommodate the hulking size of Incineroar demonstrates the level of detail in Pokémon games. 2k13y

I've recently started to enjoy older console generations, turning to games I sadly missed out on the first time around, like Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Pokémon Sun. For the most part, it's been a fun foray into games that surprisingly hold up and, in many cases, offer far better experiences than their more modern counterparts. The Nintendo 3DS especially has been host to some of my favorite gaming experiences this year, but also, bizarrely, some of my saddest.

The Starter Pokémon of Pokémon Sun and Moon, Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio, all offer adorable looks and strong fighting qualities, but only one can be the best. Pokémon has been the ultimate time-sink gaming franchise for over two decades now, and the important choice of Starter Pokémon has remained unchanged for all that time. Each Generation's Starters all typically go on to become beloved Pokémon, but Sun and Moon themselves have a clear best option among them.

Pokémon Sun and Moon shook up the series when they were released without any new fossil Pokémon. Set in the Alola Region, the Gen 7 games stripped away several key series features and replaced them with new ones. Ride Pokémon took over the role of HMs, and trials supplanted gyms. But unlike these alterations to the Pokémon formula, the missing fossil monsters had more to do with the Alola Region itself rather than the evolution of the games.

Giovanni was the Pokémonfranchise's first evil team leader, but what happened to him after Pokémon Yellow? Giovanni is famously known as Team Rocket's leader, the antagonists of Generations 1 and 2. Team Rocket has since disappeared from the franchise, only making a brief appearance in Generation 7, seemingly rebranded as a different Team Rocket. Generation 10 of the franchise will be the next milestone for the mainline games, and it being the achievement it is, Team Rocket could make some appearance in homage to their role in the series.

An incredibly determined Pokémon fan has completed Pokémon Moon with the aid of a single Butterfree. The Butterfly Pokémon is one of the franchise’s original 151, and has appeared in most mainline games since. Like many of its contemporaries, it's considered one of the more recognizable Pokémon out there.

Most people know about Pokémon Sun and Moon's lovable antagonists Team Skull, but Pokémon Mystery Dungeon had sullied that same name long beforehand. In the Mystery Dungeon Explorers games, Team Skull were some of the worst villains Pokémon had ever seen. Frankly, the resurrection that the name got in Sun and Moon is nothing short of staggering.

The Ultra Beasts have enjoyed overall decent spots in the Pokémonseries' meta game since they first appeared in Gen 7. Being extradimensional creatures, these eleven pocket monsters fulfill roles in teams that no Pokémon from this universe could ever manage. That being said, some Ultra Beasts are clearly stronger than others.

Though the Pokémonseries is full of unique Pokémon, Pokémon Sun and Moon's Alolan Ninetales in particular is different from all the others, and it isn't just because of its 9 tails. First introduced in Gen 1 as a Fire-type Pokémon, Ninetales is one of many Pokémon to receive a new regional variant in 2016. Alongside an updated appearance, Alolan Ninetales also has a few other changes from its original form, including different moves. It also stands out from every other Pokémon in the series thanks to its unique dual-type combination.

Pokémon on the 3DS saw several additions to the mainline titles, including Mega Evolutions and Z-Moves, but Pokémon Sun & Moon fixed many issues that needed addressing from previous titles. While Pokémon X and Y was the next step in the mainline series when it was released on Nintendo 3DS, Pokémon Sun & Moon made even further strides, going so far as to experiment with a different take on the gyms. Island Trials serve as the replacement for gyms in the Sun and Moon games, putting players through small tasks that test the strength of their Pokémon and their wits before they battle a Totem Pokémon.