Get a grip on Pokemon Sun and Moon! This guide breaks down every button and function, from moving your character to using Poké Ride abilities. Master the controls like a pro!
Hey there! So you're diving into the Alola region with Pokémon Sun and Moon? Awesome! Let's get you up to speed on how to actually play the game. It's pretty straightforward once you know what each button does, so let's break it down. Think of this as your cheat sheet so you don't have to guess what does what.
The game gives you a handy table, but I'll walk you through it so it makes sense in context. We'll cover moving around, interacting with the world, and even some battle specifics. Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it looks!
| Button | Resultant Effects |
| D-Pad | Move cursors in menus. |
| Circle Pad | Move your character. You move faster the further your Circle Pad is tilted. Also used to move around the viewfinder when using the Poké Finder. |
| A Button | Confirm choices, speak with people, investigate the tile you're facing, and take pictures with the Poké Finder. |
| B Button | Decline choices, exit menus, hold and use with the Circle Pad to run, and press during Pokémon evolution to cancel said evolution (though not all evolutions can be canceled). You'll also use it with the Circle Pad to activate a Poké Ride Pokémon's special ability, like Tauros' dash or Stoutland's item-finding. |
| X Button | Open the main menu. Also lets you see what individual Pokémon can do in the Poké Ride menu. |
| Y Button | Open a menu to choose a registered Key Item for quick use, or hotkey to use Pokéballs in battle. You can also open the Poké Ride function with this. |
| L Button | Used to quickly go through item lists. During battle, hold and tap a move in the move selection menu to see its data. |
| R Button | Also used to quickly go through item lists. You'll use this for taking pictures with the Poké Finder too. |
| Start Button | Opens a menu. |
| Select Button | N/A |
Just a heads-up, some of these functions can also be handled by the Touch Screen or gyro sensors, so don't be afraid to experiment a little! Knowing these controls will make your journey through Alola so much smoother.
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