So, you’re looking at these two games and wondering which one to grab. Honestly, it’s the classic Pokémon dilemma. You’ve got Pokemon Ultra Sun and Pokemon Ultra Moon, and on the surface, they look like the same game. They basically are. But if you’re trying to complete a living dex or you just really care about which giant neon dragon you’re riding through space, those small tweaks actually matter quite a bit.
The Alola region is weird. It’s beautiful, sure, but the "Ultra" versions of these games changed the vibe significantly from the original Sun and Moon. We’re talking about an alternate timeline here. In this version of the story, things with Necrozma get way more intense. But before we get into the heavy lore, let's talk about the stuff that affects your actual day-to-day gameplay.
pokemon ultra sun and ultra moon differences: The Time Warp
This is the one that trips everyone up. If you pick Ultra Sun, the game clock matches your 3DS clock. If it’s noon in real life, it’s noon in the game. Simple.
But Ultra Moon? It’s inverted. It’s always 12 hours apart. If you’re a night owl who plays at 11 PM, your game world is going to be basking in bright morning sunlight. If you play during your lunch break at work, you’ll be running around Alola in the dark.
Why does this matter? Well, certain Pokémon only show up at night. Some evolve only during the day. Rockruff is the big one here—if you want that specific Dusk Form Lycanroc, you have to hit a very specific window of time in the evening. In Ultra Moon, that "evening" happens during your actual morning. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher at first, but you get used to it.
The Ultra Recon Squad
You’re also going to meet different people depending on the box you buy. There’s this group called the Ultra Recon Squad. They look like they walked off the set of a sci-fi movie.
- In Ultra Sun, you’ll spend your time talking to Dulse and Zossie.
- In Ultra Moon, you get Phyco and Soliera.
They don’t fundamentally change the plot, but the dialogue is different. It's a nice flavor touch that makes the versions feel distinct even when you're doing the exact same trials.
The Big List of Exclusives
Let’s get real: most people choose based on the Pokémon they can catch. You can't get them all in one go. That's the whole "gotta catch 'em all" trap.
In Ultra Sun, you’re getting the "prehistoric" and "fierce" vibe. You can find Alolan Vulpix and Ninetales here, which are fan favorites for a reason. You also get access to Turtonator, Passimian, and Houndoom. If you’re into legendaries, this is where you find Ho-Oh, Groudon, Dialga, and Reshiram.
Ultra Moon goes for the "mysterious" and "ancient" feel. You get Alolan Sandshrew and Sandslash instead of Vulpix. You also get the bulky Shieldon, the weirdly charming Oranguru, and Drampa. For the big hitters, you’re looking at Lugia, Kyogre, Palkia, and Zekrom.
Fossil Records
Even the fossils are split up. It’s kind of annoying if you have a favorite, but that’s what trading is for.
- Ultra Sun Fossils: Cranidos, Tirtouga, Tyrunt, Omanyte, Anorith.
- Ultra Moon Fossils: Shieldon, Archen, Amaura, Kabuto, Lileep.
Ultra Beasts and the Necrozma Problem
The "Ultra" in the title really refers to the Ultra Beasts and Necrozma. This is where the versions diverge in the late game.
In Ultra Sun, the big bad (well, sort of) is Dusk Mane Necrozma. This is what happens when Necrozma eats a Solgaleo. It’s a Psychic/Steel beast that hits like a freight train. You also get exclusive Ultra Beasts like UB Burst (Blacephalon), which looks like a disco ball that exploded. It’s weird. I love it.
Ultra Moon gives you Dawn Wings Necrozma, the fusion with Lunala. This one is Psychic/Ghost. It looks much more "regal" and spooky. Your exclusive Ultra Beast here is UB Assembly (Stakataka). It’s basically a sentient stone fortress with eyes.
Totem Stickers and Giant Pokémon
One of the coolest additions in these versions is the Totem Sticker hunt. You find these gold stickers stuck to walls and signs all over Alola. If you collect enough, Samson Oak gives you "Totem-sized" Pokémon. These are basically giant versions of regular mons.
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The ones you get are different for each game. In Ultra Sun, you can get a giant Lurantis and a giant Gumshoos. In Ultra Moon, you’re looking at a giant Salazzle and a giant Alolan Raticate. They don't have the crazy stat boosts they had during the trials, but they look intimidating as heck in a link battle.
Which one should you actually buy?
Honestly? Look at the legendaries. If you prefer the fire-breathing, sun-worshipping vibe of Solgaleo and Groudon, go with Ultra Sun. If you like the moonlit, spooky aesthetic of Lunala and Kyogre, go Ultra Moon.
If you already played the original Sun or Moon, the common wisdom is to buy the opposite version this time. If you played Sun in 2016, get Ultra Moon now. It gives you a chance to catch the legendaries and exclusives you missed out on the first time around without needing to trade as much.
The story in these games is a bit more "video-gamey" than the originals. The original Sun and Moon had a very tight, character-driven story about Lillie and her mother. The Ultra versions trade some of that emotional weight for a bigger, flashier plot involving interdimensional travel and a literal fight for the light of the world. It’s a trade-off. But for most players, the extra Pokémon and the move tutors make the Ultra versions the definitive way to experience Alola.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your 3DS Clock: Before you start, make sure your system time is correct. It determines when you'll see those day/night exclusives.
- Pick your Lycanroc: Decide which form you want early. If you want Dusk Form, remember you need an "Own Tempo" Rockruff and you have to evolve it between 5:00 PM and 5:59 PM in-game time.
- Hunt those Stickers: Don't ignore the gold glints on walls. Getting those Totem-sized Pokémon is one of the few ways to get "unique" sized mons in the 3DS era.
- Prepare for Ultra Necrozma: Regardless of the version you pick, the boss fight in the late game is notoriously hard. Bring a Pokémon with the "Focus Sash" item or something with the "Sturdy" ability. You'll need it.