POKÉMON VERSION COMPARISON / GEN 7 FULL LINE
Pokémon Sun/Moon vs Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon: Which to Own?
A buyer's decision tree for the full Gen 7 line, for anyone weighing all four versions at once.
The Full Decision Tree
If you want exactly one Gen 7 cartridge, Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon is the more complete single purchase, incorporating the Necrozma subplot and Ultra Megalopolis area on top of the base Alola story. If you specifically want the original, more streamlined story as it launched — without the reworked late-game content — original Sun or Moon is the more "pure" version of that specific release.
Collecting All Four
Some collectors pursue all four versions specifically because the differences between the original and Ultra pairs are substantial enough to feel like meaningfully different games rather than simple reskins, unlike the relatively minor X/Y split. That's a reasonable approach if you're building a complete Gen 7 shelf rather than making a single purchase decision.
The Short Answer
One cartridge, new to the generation: buy Ultra Sun or Ultra Moon. Building a complete Gen 7 collection: all four are distinct enough to justify owning.
Where to Buy: Full Gen 7 Line
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