
You Should Look Closely at the Switch in Pokemon Sword and Shield’s First Room
Game Freak gives the Switch a unique salute in Sword and Shield.
Pokemon games have a long tradition of paying tribute to Nintendo consoles and handhelds past and present. Pokemon Sword and Shield has its own little nod to the Nintendo Switch—and it comes with a fun Easter egg.
Your Pokemon journey starts in your bedroom, as per usual. You can investigate the items strewn around your abode, including your Switch and your "telly." Here's the fun part: When you switch out your Joy-Cons, the Switch in your room changes to match the new Joy-Cons' colors.


I gave it a try myself. Sure enough, my current pink and green Joy-Cons changed color when I replaced them with my original red and blue Joy-Cons, which are semi-retired thanks to drift. Sadly, they don't change on the fly; you have to exit your room and re-enter to see the shift. It's still a fun little addition.
As it so happens, "fun" is a good word to describe Pokemon Sword and Shield. We won't be doing a full review of the game until the servers are up, but we have in-depth impressions of the single-player adventure. Pokemon Sword and Shield doesn't break much in the way of new ground, but it's still a satisfying romp.
That's not to say nothing's changed. The Global Trade System is gone, and the Y-Comm system is in its place. You also have the opportunity to encounter very strong Pokemon in the Wild Area who won't let you catch them. While there's been some concern from fans that these "capture limits" might disallow them from catching a shiny Pokemon, there's probably no real danger of that happening.
Read this next
The Most Baffling Survivors of the Pokemon Sword and Shield Pokedex Cull
Who knows where the whims of fate may lead us?
10
Nintendo Switch Cleans Up Over Thanksgiving With Its Best Sales Week to Date
The Switch sold 830,000 units over a single week. Damn.
Pokemon Black Friday 2019 Deals - Games, Toys, Card Games, and More
Gotta catch all these amazing deals.
Gigantamax Snorlax Doesn't Block the Route, He Is the Route
Max 'Lax impacts with stacked knickknacks he piggybacks.
2
Pokemon's Global Link Service Will End Next Year
The changing of the guard continues for Pokemon, but it's not too drastic.
Pokemon Sword and Shield: How to Use the PC Box Link
Sword and Shield makes some adjustments to where and when you can access your Pokemon PC Boxes. Here’s what you need to know:
The Pokemon Company is Trying to Sue Whoever Leaked Sword and Shield Info
Info from the official strategy guide got out, and they'd like to know who did it.
More News
Kairi Joins the Battle in Kingdom Hearts 3's Re Mind DLC, Out Next Month
A leaked trailer shows off new playable characters, additional exploration of Scala ad Caelum, and more.
1
The Elder Scrolls: Legends is "On Hold" at Bethesda
Bethesda's collectible card game is getting put in storage for the foreseeable future.
1
With Reconstruction Complete, Starbreeze is Pinning Its Future on Payday
After a tough year for the publisher, Payday seems like its best bet.
1
In Japan, a Dispute Filled With Accusations of Sexual Harassment and Bad Business Practices Boils Over
Allegations against Dangen Entertainment and its CEO are coming to light after a falling out between the company and some of its dev partners.
2
More on Switch
The Elder Scrolls: Legends is "On Hold" at Bethesda
Bethesda's collectible card game is getting put in storage for the foreseeable future.
1
The Making of Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment, Part 5: Fin
Yacht Club Games concludes their deep dive into Specter of Torment's design!
2
In Japan, a Dispute Filled With Accusations of Sexual Harassment and Bad Business Practices Boils Over
Allegations against Dangen Entertainment and its CEO are coming to light after a falling out between the company and some of its dev partners.
2
Wargroove Developers Respond to Criticisms of Whitewashed Voice Cast
"We want to be honest about what happened."
11
The Witcher 3's Initial Switch Port was 20 GB Bigger Than the Largest Cartridge
It took some finesse to make Switcher happen.
1
Alien: Isolation's Crisp Switch Port May Actually Surpass the PS4 Version
Sharp Xenomorph chompers, no jagged edges.
The Making of Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment, Part 4: The Subtle Art of Backgrounds
In the penultimate entry, Yacht Club Games talks about the small but important details that can make the difference in a level.
More Role Playing Games Games
Kairi Joins the Battle in Kingdom Hearts 3's Re Mind DLC, Out Next Month
A leaked trailer shows off new playable characters, additional exploration of Scala ad Caelum, and more.
1
What's Your Favorite PlayStation Memory?
COMMUNITY QUESTION | This week is the 25th anniversary of the PlayStation, so let's look back on our fondest memories of Sony's first consoles.
17
25 Years Ago, Breath of Fire 2 Was My First Journey to Kill God, and It Was Good
Even the world's worst translation can't destroy a good yarn about slaying the Lord.
10
"beYOOOOOOOW Beyowwwwwwww:" The Story Behind Sony's Iconic PlayStation Opening Chime
The music that defined a generation. Oh and Nirvana, I guess.
7
Newsletter
Subscribe to our weekly newsletters
Get the best of USG in your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters.