Pokemon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass announced, comes with two new areas

Nintendo announced an expansion pass for Pokemon Sword and Shield during the Pokemon Direct.

The Pokemon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass, according to today's Pokemon Direct, comes with two new areas of the Galar region to explore.

Releasing in June is The Isle of Amor. Nintendo describes it as a large island which features Pokemon not previously found in other areas of the Galar region.

This includes Kubfu and its evolved form Urfishu. Urshifu has two forms—a Single Strike Style and a Rapid Strike Style—and it appears that each form has different types as well. Single Strike Style Urshifu and Rapid Strike Style Urshifu also have Gigantamax forms.

Speaking of Gigantamax forms, The Isle of Armor expansion will allow Trainers to help some of the Pokemon traveling with them gain the ability to Gigantamax. This includes Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon, the Evolutions of the three Pokemon you can choose as your first Pokemon in the Galar region.

A new trainer mentor named Mustard will make an appearance and there will be new fashion items available for your Trainer and bike.

The other new area is Crown Tundra which is coming this fall. It is a snowy area with a focus on exploration, and like The Isle of Armor, it features Pokemon not found in other areas of the Galar region. The new Pokemon you will encounter is Calyrex, a new legendary.

There is also a new co-op mode which will feature new legendaries and new forms as well.

Starting today, a new software update will become available. With it, you can "experience a small slice" of the upcoming new content.

Once you have updated your game, head to Wedgehurst Station and meet a Trainer named Klara. This trainer will appear in the expansion pass content. You will also run into Avery and be able to add a Galarian Slowpoke to your team.

Anyone playing either version of Sword and Shield will be able to experience the beginning of the story in the expansion pass whether owned or not.

You can pre-order the expansion pass, which are different versions for Sword and Shield, from today. It includes both new areas and will run you $30.