Pokemon Sword and Shield: Dexit Controversy & Worth It

Pokémon Sword and Shield arrived on the Nintendo Switch in November 2019 as the first mainline games in the franchise where players couldn’t collect every Pokémon ever created. That single change—known as “Dexit”—split the fanbase more dramatically than any controversy in the series’ history. Yet despite the backlash, the games sold exceptionally well, making the question of whether they were “worth it” genuinely complicated.

Platform: Nintendo Switch · Region: Galar · Generation: 8th · Developer: Game Freak · Inspired by: United Kingdom

Key facts

The following specs provide the essential details about Sword and Shield at launch and their development context.

Why was Pokémon Sword and Shield controversial?

When the E3 Nintendo Treehouse demo aired in November 2019, fans watching the roughly one-hour gameplay stream noticed something unprecedented: Pokémon Sword and Shield would not include the complete National Pokédex. Over half of all Pokémon would be unavailable in the base game (TheGamer analysis of Dex cuts). The revelation sparked immediate backlash, with hashtags #Dexit and #BringBackNationalDex trending within days.

Junichi Masuda, serving as producer, explained that Game Freak had decided to create all Pokémon models from scratch for the Nintendo Switch’s HD graphics rather than porting assets from the 3DS era. Masuda stated that remodelling over 800 Pokémon in high definition was too much work to include everything in one game (Game Informer interview). He also suggested the cuts allowed the development team to pursue less restrictive gameplay ideas that had previously been abandoned.

Shigeru Ohmori, who directed Sword and Shield alongside his producer role, defended the decision by pointing to Nintendo Switch hardware limitations and the higher graphical demands of home console development compared to handheld systems.

Fan outrage extended beyond the dex cuts themselves. Dataminers posted full grids revealing exactly which Pokémon made the cut—and the list was, as documented by community observers on November 4, 2019, more ruthless than many expected. Generation 2 and Generation 3 starter lines were completely absent from the base game, as were iconic legendaries like Lugia and Ho-Oh (TheGamer shock cuts analysis). The scrutiny then broadened to question whether the new features, graphics, and animations justified the trade-offs (Twin Cities Geek retrospective).

Dexit fan reaction

Communities on Reddit and Twitter flooded with criticism, memes, and calls to boycott the games. Some fans organized refund campaigns, while others threatened to skip their first mainline purchase in years. The intensity of the reaction surprised even veteran observers of franchise controversies.

National Dex removal

For the first time in franchise history, transferring older Pokémon from Pokémon Bank or Pokémon Home would not allow access to all creatures in Sword and Shield. Only Pokémon appearing in the Galar Pokédex could be transferred in—a policy that effectively stranded years of collected Pokémon in digital storage.

Dex cut backlash

Masuda acknowledged the cuts in a Game Informer interview, stating that Pokémon cut from Sword and Shield would return in future games. He described extensive deliberation over which creatures would appear in the Galar region. The expansions Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra (released October 22, 2020) did bring back some cut Pokémon, including Hoenn starters, Lugia, and Ho-Oh—though not all fans considered this a sufficient response.

The Dex cut controversy fundamentally altered what fans could expect from future titles, setting a precedent that divided the community.

Is Pokémon Sword and Shield worth it?

The answer depends heavily on what kind of Pokémon player you are. For newcomers to the franchise or those without extensive legacy collections, Sword and Shield offer a solid entry point to the eighth generation.

Reddit discussions frequently cite that Sword and Shield provide the “traditional Pokémon experience with modern features” that appeals to players who want familiar mechanics without the controversy affecting veterans. The Wild Area added genuine open-world elements for the first time, and Dynamax battles introduced a new battle mechanic that divided opinion but added strategic depth.

Pros for new players

• Galar region offers fresh exploration with United Kingdom-inspired aesthetics
• Charizard, the most recognizable Pokémon, remains available
• New players benefit from the simplified path to completing the Pokédex
• DLC expansions restored many popular Pokémon over time
• Strong online features and competitive battling scene

Cons from veterans

• Longtime fans cannot transfer their favorite Pokémon from older games
• Graphics and animations drew criticism despite hardware leap
• Some iconic Pokémon like Squirtle and Bulbasaur lines were absent
• Price increased to $59.99 while content appeared reduced

IGN review highlights

Reviews acknowledged the controversy while examining the games on their own merits. Critics generally praised the Galar region’s visual design and the quality-of-life improvements while noting that the National Dex limitation represented a fundamental shift in what fans could expect from future titles.

Veterans faced the hardest choice with Dexit, but the games still delivered a complete adventure for those willing to embrace the new limitations.

What are Pokemon Sword and Shield starters?

Each generation introduces three starter Pokémon for new players to choose from, and Sword and Shield continued that tradition with the Galar region’s first partner creatures.

The three starters each represent a distinct evolutionary path that players can follow throughout their Galar journey.

Grass starter

Grookey evolves into Thwackey and finally Rillaboom, a drumming chimpanzee whose grass-type attacks emphasize rhythmic power. The line drew praise for its unique animal inspiration and competitive viability in online battles.

Fire starter

Scorbunny transitions to Raboot and then Cinderace, a soccer-playing rabbit that became a fan favorite for its sporty design. Cinderace proved particularly popular in competitive play following the game’s release.

Water starter

Sobble becomes Drizzile and then Inteleon, a spy-themed water lizard with an elegant design. Inteleon garnered attention for its distinctive silhouette and abilities suited for certain competitive formats.

The base game’s starter selection satisfied new players but left veterans mourning the absent legacy lines.

What is Pokemon Sword and Shield gameplay like?

Sword and Shield represent Game Freak’s first mainline console release, designed specifically for the Nintendo Switch rather than the 3DS handheld. This hardware shift brought the franchise into HD graphics territory for the first time, though the visual results drew mixed reactions.

Wild Area exploration

The most significant new feature, the Wild Area, introduced open-zone exploration where players could encounter Pokémon dynamically rather than through random encounters. This semi-open world area allowed camera control and featured changing weather that affected which Pokémon appeared, adding variety to the hunting experience.

Dynamax battles

Dynamax and its evolved form Gigantamax introduced a battle mechanic where Pokémon could grow to massive size for three turns. Dynamaxed creatures gained increased HP and access to powerful Max Moves, while certain species received unique Gigantamax forms with distinct appearances. This mechanic dominated competitive play during the generation and sparked debate over whether it represented creative innovation or gimmick fatigue.

Open world elements

While not a fully open-world game, Sword and Shield incorporated open-world design principles more heavily than previous entries. The Wild Area served as a testing ground for the more expansive approaches Game Freak would later employ in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

The Wild Area’s experimental open-zone design foreshadowed Game Freak’s ambitions for fully open worlds in subsequent titles.

Who are the main Pokémon Sword and Shield characters?

Beyond the Pokémon themselves, Sword and Shield introduced human characters set in the Galar region, with the player character navigating a world inspired by the United Kingdom.

Protagonists

The player chooses between a male or female protagonist beginning their journey in the sleepy town of Postwick. The character’s sibling Hop serves as a friendly rival throughout the story, providing companionship and occasional competition.

Gym Leaders

The Galar region features eight Gyms themed around various Pokémon types, each led by a distinct character with their own personality and design. These leaders serve as the primary challenge progression, with their designs drawing inspiration from British cultural elements ranging from sports to music.

Rivals

Hop provides the primary rival experience, alongside other characters who cross paths with the protagonist. The character’s enthusiasm and eventual questioning of his own abilities add emotional depth to the journey.

Champions

The Pokémon League’s Champion, Leon, serves as the ultimate challenge and becomes a significant character throughout the story. As the unbeaten Champion, his presence looms over the narrative, culminating in a battle that tests everything the player has learned.

Leon and Hop’s arcs gave the Galar story emotional stakes beyond the typical gym-challenge format.

Confirmed and uncertain

The following table summarizes what we can verify versus what remains open based on available evidence.

The confirmed facts establish a clear baseline, while the uncertainties highlight areas where official data remains private.

“It was too much work to remodel 800-plus Pokémon in HD format.”

— Junichi Masuda, Game Freak Producer (Game Informer interview)

“These cut Pokémon will be back in the future… we’d definitely see them again soon.”

— Junichi Masuda, in Game Informer interview (Game Informer)

Related reading: Baldur’s Gate 3 Mods

While Dexit limited the Galar Pokédex in Sword and Shield, its legacy thrived in TCG expansions like the Crown Zenith card list capping the era with rare collectibles.

Frequently asked questions

For players deciding whether to pick up Sword and Shield today, the calculus is straightforward: if you have an existing collection you want to transfer, the games offer an incomplete experience. If you’re starting fresh or focusing on competitive play, the base games plus Crown Tundra expansion provide substantial content. Later entries in the series have since restored full National Dex access, making Sword and Shield a historical curiosity as much as a playable game.