If you're still holding onto your 3DS in 2026, you've probably realized that Alola is one of those regions that just sticks with you. But honestly, even years later, people are still confused about whether they should have picked up Pokemon Ultra Moon or its Sun-themed sibling. Or, even worse, they think it's just a carbon copy of the original Moon version from 2016. It's not.
Basically, Ultra Moon is like the "Director's Cut" that decided to rewrite the script halfway through filming. You’ve got the same tropical vibes and the island challenge, but the vibes are shifted. Darker. More crowded with interdimensional aliens.
The big question is always about the pokemon ultra moon differences compared to Ultra Sun and the base games. If you’re trying to decide which one to play now—maybe through a secondhand cartridge or a dusty digital download—there are specific, gritty details that matter more than just the guy on the box.
The Time Loop That Actually Messes With Your Head
One of the weirdest things about playing Ultra Moon is the time offset. It’s not just a "night mode" toggle. The game is permanently offset by 12 hours from your 3DS system clock.
If you are playing in your living room at 2:00 PM on a Saturday, your character is running around in the pitch black of 2:00 AM. It sounds like a small cosmetic change, but it affects everything. Certain Pokemon only show up at "night," which means for you, they only show up during your actual lunch break. It gives the game a sleepy, nocturnal atmosphere that feels completely different from the bright, bleached-out visuals of Ultra Sun.
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Version Exclusives You’ll Actually Care About
We all know the drill: some monsters only show up in one version to force you to trade. But in Ultra Moon, the list is heavy on the "tanky" and "strange" side.
- The Fossils: You're getting the Shieldon and Archen lines. If you want a T-Rex (Tyrunt), you’re out of luck unless you trade.
- The Alolan Forms: It's all about Alolan Sandshrew here. Ultra Sun gets the Vulpix. Honestly, Sandslash-Alola is a beast, but losing out on Ninetales hurts for some people.
- The New Guys: Ultra Moon is where you find Stakataka, the Ultra Beast that looks like a sentient stone fortress. Ultra Sun gets the exploding clown, Blacephalon.
Necrozma Isn’t Just a Post-Game Cameo
In the original Moon, the story was really about Lillie and her mother, Lusamine. It was a family drama wrapped in a Pokemon journey. In Ultra Moon, that gets pushed aside for the Ultra Recon Squad.
These blue-clad aliens show up early and they change the stakes. Instead of just focusing on the Aether Foundation's internal mess, you’re dealing with a literal light-eating god called Necrozma. The climax of the game is totally different. You aren't just going to the Altar of the Moone to see a legendary evolve; you’re heading into Ultra Megalopolis, a city completely drained of light.
The battle against Ultra Necrozma is arguably one of the hardest fights in the entire history of the franchise. I’m not exaggerating. If you aren't prepared with a Focus Sash or a very specific strategy, that thing will wipe your entire team before you can even select a move. It's a massive jump in difficulty compared to the original 2016 games.
The Legendary "Warp Ride" Lottery
This is where Ultra Moon really earns its keep. Once you hit the post-game, you get access to Ultra Warp Ride. You fly through wormholes on the back of Lunala, and depending on the color of the hole you dive into, you can find almost every legendary Pokemon from previous generations.
But here is the catch. The pool of Legendaries is split.
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In Ultra Moon, you are the one who gets Lugia, Kyogre, Latias, Palkia, Regigigas, Zekrom, Thundurus, and Yveltal.
If you grew up with Silver or Alpha Sapphire, this is your version. There’s something specifically cool about hunting a Shiny Kyogre in the "Blue" wormholes of Ultra Moon. Plus, if you manage to bring over the exclusives from Ultra Sun (like Groudon), you can unlock "third" legendaries like Rayquaza and Giratina that only appear when both version leaders are in your party.
Minor Changes That Make a Major Difference
You’ve got the big stuff like the story and the legendaries, but the day-to-day gameplay has these tiny tweaks that make Ultra Moon feel more "finished."
- Mantine Surf: Instead of just a loading screen between islands, you actually surf. It’s a mini-game that gives you BP (Battle Points). This is huge because it lets you buy high-tier items and Move Tutor moves before you even finish the main story.
- Totem Stickers: Remember the Zygarde cells in the original game? They’re gone. Instead, you collect gold stickers hidden on walls. Trading these in gets you Totem-sized Pokemon. In Ultra Moon, you get big versions of Raticate, Araquanid, and Salazzle.
- The Rotom Dex: He talks. A lot. In Ultra Moon, the Rotom Dex is way more interactive, sometimes to a fault. But he gives you "Roto Loto" powers which are basically legal cheats—boosting your catch rate or doubling your prize money.
Why the Story Changes are Controversial
Some fans will tell you the original Moon has a better story. They aren't necessarily wrong. In the original, Lusamine was a terrifying, sympathetic villain. In Ultra Moon, they softened her up to make room for the Necrozma plot. She’s more of a "misguided hero" here, which kind of weakens the emotional payoff with Lillie.
However, the trade-off is the Team Rainbow Rocket episode. After you become the Champion, every single villain from the past 20 years—Giovanni, Cyrus, Ghetsis—they all show up. It’s pure fan service, and it’s arguably the best post-game content Game Freak has ever put out.
Actionable Tips for Your Ultra Moon Playthrough
If you’re starting a save file today, keep these things in mind to make the most of the version-specific quirks:
- Adjust for the Time Shift: Since the game is 12 hours ahead, if you want to see Alola in the "daylight," you’ll have to play late at night in the real world. Or, just lie to your 3DS clock. I won't tell.
- Farm Mantine Surf Early: Don't skip the surfing. The Move Tutors on the beaches are the only way to get moves like Drain Punch or Iron Head on certain Pokemon before the Elite Four.
- Prepare for the "Wall": When you get to the Altar of the Moone, stop. Level up. The Ultra Necrozma fight is coming, and it does not play fair. Use a Pokemon with the Toxic move and a Focus Sash if you're struggling; it’s the most reliable way to take it down.
- Check Your Wormholes: When hunting Legendaries, look for the wormholes with the most "rings." A hole with two or three rainbow rings has a much higher chance of containing a Legendary or a Shiny Pokemon.
Ultra Moon is a weird, dense, and sometimes frustratingly talkative game. But the sheer amount of content—from the Ultra Beasts to the Rainbow Rocket showdown—makes it the definitive Alola experience. Just make sure you like the moon, because you're going to be seeing a lot of it.