It may seem odd that people will drop so much cash just to set their minds at ease by collecting virtual pets, but hey this is Pokémon! The only question is, how much would you pay someone else to do all the heavy lifting in a game for you?

There’s an old saying that the journey is better than the destination, and I can’t think of a better example of video games to prove the old adage right. As a medium that allows for a beginning, many sidequest middles and an ending, video games have the power to create incredibly satisfying journeys that’ll last for many an hour before the end credits finally roll. Here’s a look then, at the best adventures of the year.

Thanks to the power of Gigantamax, the Berry seeds and small rocks that were tangled in Snorlax’s belly fur have undergone explosive growth. With a tree sprouting upon its belly, Gigantamax Snorlax has the majesty of a great mountain. Even though it almost never moves, Gigantamax Snorlax is said to be one of the strongest Dynamax Pokémon discovered.

Legendary Pokémon? Check. Dragons? Check! Pokémon that were recreated from their ancient DNA by scientists who didn’t question if they should have done so? That’s a double-tick on my checklist of Pokémon traditions and Jurassic Park references! In Pokémon Sword and Shield, ancient Pokémon from another era once again roam the region thanks to your plundering of the past and unholy science.

Even if you plug a hundred hours into Pokémon Sword and Shield, you may never see a Shiny Pokémon outside of that one bloke who imported all of his rare critters into the game from back in the day when he exploited the QR code functionality of Pokémon X and Y. That guy totally isn’t me. There are ways to get a Shiny Pokémon though, primarily through breeding and wild encounters.

Another day, another Pokémon article! While Pokémon Sword and Shield may have plenty of new Pokémon who can be levelled up and evolved from there, some Pokémon require a more secretive manner with which to ascend to a higher form. One of those Pokémon is Yamask, a peculiar Ghost-type pocket monster that has a new regional form over in the …

Pokémon Sword and Shield is everything that you love about pocket monsters and then some. With an emphasis on sharpening what works and ditching more bloated elements aside to create the best region yet for the franchise, Pokemon Sword and Shield is pocket monster catch ‘em all mania at its very best.

To be the best, like no one ever was, you’re going to need to master BREEDING in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Not like those filthy Rule 34 forums would have you believe though, but rather with a more tried and trusted method of filling your Pokedex to the brim with all manner of critters that ordinarily can’t be found outside in the Wild Area. To do just that, you’re going to want a Ditto!