TOKYO, July 9 — A new video for November’s Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield” on Nintendo Switch shows off a handful of Pokémon and two version-exclusive characters as well as a new move, Gigantamaxing, that scales up arena battles even more than usual.

Franchise fans and potential players had already been introduced to the Dynamax ability of Pokémon Sword and Shield, a special move that has battling Pokémon drastically increased in size.

The Gigantamax ability goes even further, creating veritable colossi out of the normally pocketable creatures.

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Only specific species can Gigantamax, and within those species only rare specimens will have the ability, the Pokémon website explains in an update accompanying the July 8 trailer.

Some members of the game’s Drednaw and Corviknight species will be able to Gigantamax as well as Dynamax, the post explains, while the trailer also shows strawberries and cream-themed fairy Alcremie exhibiting the ability.

Not confirmed as Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokémon, but likewise newcomers to the “Sword and Shield” Galar region — the games’ stand-in for Great Britain — are Yamper, scamp of a puppy with a heart-shaped pattern on its rear end, rocky Rolycoly, which can hurl opponents sky-high, and roaring steel dragon Duraludon.

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Though Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are largely similar, each has not only several exclusive Pokémon creatures — thus promoting players to trade among themselves — but also exclusive Gym Leaders to challenge.

Bea, introduced in the new trailer as exclusive to Pokémon Sword, is an expert in training and deploying fighting-type Pokémon, while Allister is adept with ghost-type creatures.

Nintendo’s big tentpole release for late 2019, Pokémon Sword and Shield launches on the Nintendo Switch on November 15, 2019. — AFP-Relaxnews