Pokémon Sword and Shield news: Game Freak to introduce 200+ Pokémon and two new locations with paid DLC

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX was not the only thing to be announced at Pokémon Direct yesterday, with the Pokémon Company also announcing the first DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield. The DLC will come as two expansions, called The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra, respectively.

The Isle of Armor will arrive first, with the Pokémon Company targeting the end of June. The Isle will be accessible from within the main game and will contain multiple habitats like beaches, caves and forests.

There is no fixed date for the release of The Crown Tundra yet either, with the Pokémon Company working towards this Fall. As its name suggests, The Crown Tundra is a wintry area that will feature Pokémon Dens and several areas to explore.

The expansions will introduce over 200 Pokémon to Sword and Shield in total, including three new legendary Pokémon. These additions will compromise of Pokémon that missed the cut in the original Sword and Shield releases, which may go some way to appeasing fans who were disgruntled at the lack of Pokémon compared to the number that Game Freak included in the Let's Go games.

You need not purchase the Expansion Pass to bring these additional Pokémon into Sword and Shield, though. Both games will receive an update so that you can trade the Pokémon with someone who has the Expansion Pass or by using the newly announced Pokémon Home.

The Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass will cost US$29.99. The Pokémon Company stresses that you must purchase the Expansion Pass of the same name, though.