If you're still rocking a 3DS in 2026, you've probably realized the Alola region is a bit of a weird beast. Most Pokemon games do the "red vs blue" thing with a few different monsters, but Game Freak went a little off the rails with the seventh generation. They didn't just swap a few birds and bugs. They actually messed with the fabric of time.
Choosing between these two isn't just about whether you like a giant sun-lion or a ghostly moon-bat. It’s about whether you want to play a game that lives in the "real world" or one that exists in a permanent jet-lagged state. Honestly, it’s one of the most polarizing choices in the series.
The Weird 12-Hour Time Warp
This is the big one. Most people think they understand day/night cycles in Pokemon, but Moon throws a massive wrench in the gears.
Basically, Pokemon Sun follows your 3DS system clock exactly. If you are sitting on your couch at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday, it is 2:00 PM on a Tuesday in Alola. The sun is out, the music is upbeat, and the NPCs are talking about lunch.
Pokemon Moon is shifted by exactly 12 hours.
If you play at 2:00 PM in real life, the game thinks it is 2:00 AM. It’s pitch black outside. The nocturnal Pokemon are roaming the tall grass. This was a gift for kids who could only play after school or adults who play before bed—suddenly, you could experience the "daytime" content of the game while the rest of your house was asleep.
But it’s also a curse. If you like the game to match the world outside your window, Moon feels wrong. It feels like you’re constantly playing a game that’s stuck in the middle of the night.
Totems and Trial Captains
The Island Challenge replaced Gyms, and even these boss fights change depending on your box art.
In the very first trial at Verdant Cavern, you aren't fighting the same boss. Sun players go up against Gumshoos, that weirdly stern-looking mongoose-detective guy. Moon players have to deal with Alolan Raticate.
It’s not just a visual swap. Raticate is a Dark/Normal type, which makes the fight feel totally different if you didn't pick Rowlet or Litten.
Later on, the differences get even more specific.
- In Sun, you'll find yourself battling Kiawe, the Fire-type captain.
- In Moon, that encounter is replaced by a battle with Mallow, the Grass-type captain.
These aren't massive plot shifts, but they change the rhythm of your journey. You’re prepping for different types and different strategies. It keeps the "expert" community arguing over which version has the "harder" route, though honestly, it's mostly a wash.
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The Version-Exclusive Roster
You can't have a Pokemon game without exclusives. Here is the actual breakdown of what you're getting (and what you're missing) depending on the color of your cartridge.
The Pokemon Sun Exclusives:
- Solgaleo: The mascot. It’s a Psychic/Steel powerhouse that looks like a lion but plays like a tank.
- Alolan Vulpix & Ninetales: These are the fan favorites. Ice/Fairy types that everyone wants. If you have Moon, you're going to have to trade for these. No way around it.
- Passimian: The rugby monkey. Fighting type.
- Turtonator: A Fire/Dragon turtle that looks like it belongs in a Mario game.
- Lycanroc (Midday Form): Your Rockruff will only turn into the "normal" wolf form in Sun.
- Buzzwole & Kartana: These are the Ultra Beasts. Buzzwole is a literal bodybuilder mosquito. Kartana is a tiny, deadly paper samurai.
The Pokemon Moon Exclusives:
- Lunala: The mascot. Psychic/Ghost. It looks incredible in motion, like a giant celestial skeleton.
- Alolan Sandshrew & Sandslash: The Ice/Steel variants. They aren't quite as popular as the Vulpix line, but they're incredibly sturdy.
- Oranguru: The wise orangutan. Normal/Psychic. It has a unique move called Instruct that is a nightmare in double battles.
- Drampa: A Normal/Dragon that looks like a very friendly, high-altitude grandpa.
- Lycanroc (Midnight Form): The "edgy" werewolf form. It stands on two legs and looks like it listens to Linkin Park.
- Pheromosa & Celesteela: The Moon Ultra Beasts. Pheromosa is a glass cannon bug, and Celesteela is a giant bamboo spaceship.
Fashion and the Festival Plaza
Believe it or not, your wardrobe is at stake here too.
Alola is heavy on the vacation vibes, so clothes matter. Sun features warmer palettes: reds, yellows, oranges, and pinks. Moon leans into the cool side with blues, purples, and grays.
While you can technically "dye" clothes or use the Festival Plaza to order items from other players, it's a huge pain. If you're a player who cares about looking exactly a certain way, check the color list before you commit.
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Speaking of the Festival Plaza, some of the shops are version-locked.
Sun players get easier access to the "Gold Rush" bouncy houses and certain dye houses. Moon players get the "Treasure Hunt" lottery shops. In 2026, with the online services for 3DS being what they are, these differences feel more permanent than ever because trading and interacting with others is much more of a manual effort now.
Which One Actually Matters?
If you’re a competitive player, you probably want Moon for Pheromosa and Celesteela. Celesteela has been a staple in the meta for years because its typing is just that good.
If you’re a casual player who loves the Alolan aesthetic, Sun is usually the "safer" pick. Most people prefer Alolan Ninetales over Sandslash, and playing in the actual daylight makes the tropical islands of Alola pop a lot more.
But if you work a 9-to-5 and find yourself playing at 11:00 PM, Moon might be your only chance to ever see what the game looks like when the sun is up.
Next Steps for You:
Check your 3DS system clock before you start. If you go with Moon, make sure you're okay with the inverted cycle, or be prepared to manually change your system time to "correct" it. Also, grab a friend who has the opposite version—you’re going to want those Alolan Vulpix or Sandshrew exclusives pretty early on.