Choosing between Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon in 2026 feels a bit like picking between a sunrise and a sunset—you know what you’re getting, but the vibe is totally different. Honestly, if you're just looking at the box art, you're missing the point. These games are the peak of the 3DS era, but they are weird. They aren't exactly sequels to the original Sun and Moon. They're more like "alternate dimension" retellings.
I’ve spent hundreds of hours in Alola. I’ve hunted every shiny Ultra Beast and climbed the Battle Tree until my eyes blurred. People always ask: "Which one is better?"
The answer isn't a simple "this one." It depends on whether you're a night owl, a competitive nut, or someone who just wants the coolest looking dragon on their team.
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The 12-Hour Time Flip is the Real Game Changer
This is the thing that trips everyone up. Ultra Sun runs on your 3DS system clock. If it’s noon in your living room, it’s noon in the game. Simple.
Ultra Moon is the rebel. It flips the script by 12 hours.
If you usually play after work or school at 7:00 PM, Ultra Sun will be dark. You'll see the stars, the night-time music will play, and you'll find Pokemon like Alolan Raticate. But in Ultra Moon, that same 7:00 PM session will be bright, sunny, and full of daytime spawns.
Why does this matter? Well, visibility for one. Some players find the "daytime" graphics on the 3DS easier to see. Others love the cozy atmosphere of the Alolan night. If you’re a night owl who hates playing in a dark game world all the time, Ultra Moon is basically mandatory.
Exclusive Pokemon: Who Are You Inviting to the Party?
You can't catch 'em all in one go. Never could, never will. The version exclusives are the biggest "mechanical" difference between the two.
In Ultra Sun, you’re getting the "power" hitters. You get Solgaleo (and the Dusk Mane Necrozma form), plus big names like Groudon, Dialga, and Heatran. If you like Sun teams or just want a giant metal lion that eats the sun, this is your pick. You also get Blacephalon, which is basically a disco-ball-headed clown that explodes. It's ridiculous. I love it.
Ultra Moon gives you the "graceful" side. You get Lunala (and the Dawn Wings Necrozma form). Your legendary roster includes Kyogre, Palkia, and Regigigas. The exclusive Ultra Beast here is Stakataka. It’s a giant living stone tower with four legs and a hundred eyes. It is arguably one of the best defensive Pokemon for Trick Room teams in the entire competitive scene.
Here is the quick breakdown of the heavy hitters you’ll find in each:
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Ultra Sun Exclusives
- Legendaries: Ho-Oh, Raikou, Groudon, Latios, Dialga, Heatran, Reshiram, Tornadus, Xerneas.
- Ultra Beasts: Buzzwole, Kartana, Blacephalon.
- Wild Spawns: Alolan Vulpix, Houndour, Cottonee, Turtonator.
Ultra Moon Exclusives
- Legendaries: Lugia, Entei, Kyogre, Latias, Palkia, Regigigas, Zekrom, Thundurus, Yveltal.
- Ultra Beasts: Pheromosa, Celesteela, Stakataka.
- Wild Spawns: Alolan Sandshrew, Electrike, Petilil, Drampa.
The Ultra Recon Squad and Story Shifts
The story in these "Ultra" versions is... controversial.
In the original Sun and Moon, the story was very personal. It was about Lillie and her (honestly terrifying) mother, Lusamine. In the Ultra versions, the writers shoehorned in the Ultra Recon Squad. These are space-traveling weirdos in blue suits.
In Ultra Sun, you’ll mostly deal with Dulse and Zossie. In Ultra Moon, you get Phyco and Soliera. They don't change the ending, but they change the flavor of the journey.
The biggest shift is the climax. Instead of the emotional confrontation with Lusamine in Ultra Space, you’re fighting Ultra Necrozma at the top of Megalo Tower. Fair warning: this fight is brutal. It’s arguably the hardest boss fight in any mainline Pokemon game. If you aren't prepared, Ultra Necrozma will one-shot your entire team before you can even say "Z-Move."
Totem Stickers and the Size Factor
One of the coolest additions in the Ultra games is Totem Stickers. They are scattered everywhere—stuck to the side of the Alola Photo Club, hidden behind crates in Konikoni City, or plastered on the back of trial gates.
Collecting these lets you get Totem-sized Pokemon from Samson Oak. These are huge. They have the same stats as the regular versions, but they look imposing as hell in battle.
The exclusives here are different too. In Ultra Sun, you can get a giant Lurantis. In Ultra Moon, you get a giant Salazzle. If you’ve ever wanted to command a lizard the size of a minivan, Moon is the way to go.
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Which One Should You Buy?
If you’re still staring at the screen wondering which one to grab off eBay or a local retro shop, here is my honest take.
Go with Ultra Moon if you play mostly in the evenings. The time-flip makes the world feel alive when you're actually playing. Plus, Stakataka and Celesteela are top-tier for anyone who likes a defensive playstyle.
Go with Ultra Sun if you want the "classic" experience. It’s got the better offensive legendaries (Groudon and Xerneas are monsters) and Alolan Vulpix is way cuter than Alolan Sandshrew. Don't @ me.
Actionable Steps for New Alola Residents
- Check your 3DS Clock: Before you start, make sure your system time is correct. It determines everything in these games.
- Hunt the Stickers: Don't ignore those sparkling gold stickers. The Totem Pokemon you get are some of the most unique "trophy" mons you can own.
- Prepare for Necrozma: Whatever version you pick, keep a Pokemon with Toxic or a Focus Sash user in your back pocket. You'll thank me when you reach the Megalo Tower.
- Mantine Surf Early: It's not just a mini-game. It's the fastest way to get Battle Points (BP) for move tutors. You can get top-tier moves before you even finish the second island.
- Trade for the other Mascot: You need both Solgaleo and Lunala to unlock certain portals in the post-game. Use the GTS (if you can find a working one) or a friend to get the opposite legendary.
Alola is a gorgeous region, and while the "Ultra" games can feel a bit cluttered compared to the originals, they are the definitive way to experience Generation 7. Pick your legend, watch the clock, and get ready for the most challenging Pokemon journey on the 3DS.