Pokémon Sun and Moon launched in 2016 as Nintendo 3DS exclusives, and the online infrastructure that once powered them has quietly shut down. Whether you want to revisit Alola or start fresh, knowing where things stand right now matters. This guide lays out exactly what’s still accessible, what ended, and where you can watch the Sun & Moon anime today.

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Release Year: 2016 · Platform: Nintendo 3DS · New Pokémon Species: 81 · Key Feature: Alolan forms · Anime Streaming: Available on Disney+

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Global Link service ended February 24, 2020 (Pokemon.com)
  • Games still playable offline on Nintendo 3DS (Pokemon.com)
  • Sun & Moon anime streams on Disney+ (Disney+)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Nintendo will port Sun & Moon to Switch
  • Current digital pricing on Nintendo eShop
  • Exact episode count on each streaming platform
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Games remain playable but increasingly scarce as 3DS fades
  • Anime available on multiple paid platforms
  • No official word on Switch re-releases

The table below summarizes the core facts about Pokémon Sun and Moon as documented across official and tier-verified sources.

Key facts about Pokémon Sun and Moon
Detail Value
Developer Game Freak
Publisher Nintendo, The Pokémon Company
Release Date November 18, 2016
Platforms Nintendo 3DS
New Features 81 new Pokémon, Alolan forms
Global Link Shutdown February 24, 2020

Is Pokémon Sun and Moon discontinued?

The games themselves are not discontinued in the traditional sense—Nintendo hasn’t issued a formal statement pulling them from existence. However, the infrastructure that once supported online play has been officially retired. The Pokémon Global Link (PGL) service terminated on February 24, 2020, at 23:59 UTC, after more than nine years of operation, according to Pokemon.com (Official Pokémon Website). This shutdown affected online competitions and team rentals for Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon.

Online service status

Before that date, players could compete in tournaments, rent teams, and access special events through PGL. Users could even obtain a gift Munna by logging into PGL before the February 24, 2020 deadline, as reported by Siliconera (Gaming News Outlet). That window closed, and no replacement service has emerged specifically for Sun and Moon generation.

Game availability

The games remain fully playable offline. If you own a physical cartridge or have a digital copy on your 3DS, you can play through the entire Alola region story from start to finish. The single-player content—roughly 40 hours for the main story, considerably more if you chase post-game content—works entirely without connectivity. What you cannot do is participate in online battles, Global Link competitions, or download new Wonder Cards.

For players who want to continue engaging with the Pokémon ecosystem, alternative platforms like Pokémon HOME may offer additional features for transferring and managing Pokémon across generations.

What this means

Owners of Sun and Moon still have complete access to the full game experience. The shutdown only affects features that required Nintendo’s servers, not the core gameplay loop.

What can I play Pokemon Sun and Moon on?

Pokémon Sun and Moon were released exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS family of devices. There is no native Switch version, no Steam release, and no mobile port. This is a generation locked to 2016 hardware.

Nintendo 3DS compatibility

The games work on any 3DS, 3DS XL, New 3DS, 2DS, or New 2DS XL. Physical cartridges and digital downloads from the Nintendo eShop both function normally. The 3DS library remains accessible on these devices, though Nintendo discontinued the 3DS line in 2020 and the eShop shuttered in March 2023, meaning digital purchases after that date are no longer possible.

No native Switch version

Despite years of fan requests, Game Freak and Nintendo have not released Pokémon Sun and Moon for the Nintendo Switch. The Switch era began with Let’s Go Eevee and Pikachu in 2018, followed by Sword and Shield, and the series has continued on Switch since then. Sun and Moon have not been remastered, ported, or included in any Nintendo Switch Online service. Bill’s Archive (Game Release Database) confirms the original November 18, 2016 release date and the subsequent Ultra versions on November 17, 2017.

Players seeking similar gameplay experiences on current hardware may find comparisons useful in understanding the evolution of the Pokémon series.

Where can I watch Pokémon Sun and Moon?

The Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon anime ran from 2016 through 2019 across three seasons (seasons 20-22 in the broader series numbering). Streaming availability varies significantly by region and platform.

UK options

UK viewers have several pathways to the Sun & Moon anime. BBC iPlayer offers the series free for UK residents, as noted by Tech Advisor (Technology News Publication). Access is restricted to UK IP addresses, though international users can reportedly log in through a VPN. Prime Video also carries the Sun & Moon seasons through its Pokémon channels in the UK, available for £2.99 per month after a 7-day trial.

Alternatives to Netflix

Netflix does carry Pokémon content, but the specific Sun & Moon seasons are not consistently available on Netflix in most regions. According to Tech Advisor (Technology News Publication), Netflix streams the Indigo League and Journeys sagas, which are different seasons entirely. Disney+ hosts Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, as confirmed by Disney+ (Streaming Platform). In the US, the Roku Channel offers free access to seasons 20-22 of Sun & Moon.

The catch

Regional availability shifts over time. A platform that carries Sun & Moon today might not have it tomorrow, and prices change. Always check the current catalog before subscribing.

Can you still play Sun and Moon online?

Direct online play through Nintendo’s official servers ended with the Pokémon Global Link shutdown in February 2020. There is no workaround that restores the original PGL functionality.

Post-shutdown options

Some community-run alternatives have emerged for trading and battling, though these operate outside Nintendo’s ecosystem. Players with multiple cartridges can still trade locally via local wireless. The games’ PSS (Player Search System) for local communication remains functional. What definitively ended was ranked online competition, official tournament access, and the ability to rent teams through Game Freak’s servers.

The implication

If you want to experience Sun and Moon competitively, you’ll need to breed and train teams yourself—no more downloading rental teams from Global Link. Single-player content and local multiplayer remain fully accessible.

Is Pokemon Sun and Moon only on Switch?

Pokémon Sun and Moon are not on Switch. This is a critical distinction for anyone who missed the 3DS era and wants to play these specific games on Nintendo’s current console.

3DS exclusivity

Sun and Moon belong to Generation VII, which was designed exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS hardware. Game Freak developed the games specifically to leverage the 3DS’s capabilities, including the circle pad controls, rear camera integration for Pokémon Refresh (an updated version of Pokémon-Amie), and the dual-screen layout.

Port wishes

Fans have requested Switch ports through every subsequent release cycle, but Nintendo has not announced any such plans. The company has shown a willingness to remaster older games—Polygon Puzzle & Dragons, Pokemon Stadium, and various Virtual Console releases have appeared on Switch—but Sun and Moon have not been included. Pokémon Wiki (Fan Encyclopedia) documents the game’s features including Poké Finder, Festival Plaza, Battle Royale, and Poké Pelago, all new mechanics introduced in this generation.

The pattern suggests Nintendo prioritizes new releases and recent generations for current hardware, leaving older titles like Sun and Moon tied to their original platforms.

For those interested in mobile gaming experiences, similar regional gaming content may offer comparable engagement.

Sun & Moon game specifications across releases
Version Release Date Platform Key Additions
Pokémon Sun November 18, 2016 Nintendo 3DS Alola region, Z-Moves, Alolan forms
Pokémon Moon November 18, 2016 Nintendo 3DS Alola region, Z-Moves, Alolan forms
Pokémon Ultra Sun November 17, 2017 Nintendo 3DS Enhanced story, new forms, Mantine Surf
Pokémon Ultra Moon November 17, 2017 Nintendo 3DS Enhanced story, new forms, Mantine Surf
Let’s Go Eevee/Pikachu November 16, 2018 Nintendo Switch Kanto remake, no wild battles
Pokémon Sword/Shield November 15, 2019 Nintendo Switch Galar region, Dynamaxing, Wild Area

Confirmed facts

  • Global Link service ended February 24, 2020
  • 3DS exclusive—no Switch port exists
  • Netflix does not consistently carry Sun & Moon
  • Disney+ streams Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
  • BBC iPlayer free for UK residents
  • Pokémon TV fully closed March 28, 2024

What’s unclear

  • Whether Nintendo will port Sun & Moon to Switch
  • Exact current pricing on secondary markets
  • Full episode availability on each platform by region
  • Future plans for Gen VII re-releases

Related reading: Coin Master Free Spins · Play Bridge Online Free

Additional sources

youtube.com, pokemon.com, youtube.com, pokemon.com

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Frequently asked questions

Why was episode 38 banned?

Certain episodes of the Pokémon anime have been withheld from specific regions due to cultural sensitivity concerns, licensing agreements, or content that individual broadcasters deemed inappropriate for their audience. The Sun & Moon anime had several episodes skipped in certain markets, though the reasons vary by region and platform.

What is the rarest 3DS game?

The rarity of 3DS games varies by collector demand, print run size, and condition. Pokémon games from limited events or regional exclusives often command premium prices. However, specific valuations fluctuate significantly and should be checked against current market listings.

Does Pokémon Sun and Moon have Ultra versions?

Yes. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon released worldwide on November 17, 2017, one year after the originals. These enhanced versions feature an expanded story, additional Pokémon forms, and post-game content not found in the standard releases.

How many episodes in Pokémon Sun and Moon anime?

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon spans three seasons totaling approximately 190 episodes across seasons 20, 21, and 22. The series follows Ash Ketchum as he attends Pokémon School in the Alola region and faces Team Skull.

Are there Pokémon Sun and Moon DS games?

Pokémon Sun and Moon are Nintendo 3DS games, not original DS games. The 3DS is a successor to the DS and is backwards-incompatible with original DS game cards. Some earlier Pokémon games in the series were DS titles, but Sun and Moon were developed specifically for 3DS hardware.

What new Pokémon are in Sun and Moon?

Sun and Moon introduced 81 new Pokémon species, bringing the total to 802 before regional variants. New additions include Rowlet, Litten, Popplio and their evolutions, along with other creatures like Mareanie, Mudbray, and Wimpod. Alolan forms of existing species also debuted.

Is Pokémon Sun and Moon playable on emulator?

The games can technically be played through 3DS emulators, but this involves copying game files (ROMs) from cartridges you must legally own. Emulation quality varies, and online features do not function. Nintendo’s official position opposes unauthorized emulation.

After more than nine years of operation, the Pokémon Global Link (PGL) will terminate service on February 24, 2020, at 23:59 UTC.

— Pokemon.com (Official Pokémon Website)

BBC iPlayer is unfortunately only available in the UK. However, if you live abroad, you can log into the service through a VPN.

— Tech Advisor (Technology News Publication)

The story of Pokémon Sun and Moon reflects a broader pattern in gaming: beloved titles that outlive their infrastructure but retain value through single-player content and nostalgia. For UK fans wanting to watch Ash’s Alola adventure, BBC iPlayer remains the strongest free option. For US viewers, Disney+ and Roku Channel offer the most reliable access. For players wanting to revisit the games themselves, physical cartridges or existing digital copies still deliver the complete experience—just without the online features that once connected the community. Nintendo has shown no public inclination to port these games to Switch, which means the 3DS remains the sole gateway to Alola. For those who own the games already, that hardware in a drawer somewhere might be worth retrieving.

Bottom line: Pokémon Sun and Moon remain playable and watchable, but the online infrastructure is gone. Anime streaming is fragmented by region—Disney+ for many, BBC iPlayer for UK residents, Roku Channel for US viewers. The games themselves work offline on 3DS with no Switch home in sight. If you want to play: use what you have. If you want to watch: Disney+ is the widest access point.