The Pokémon franchise has always been known for its ability to reinvent itself with each new generation of games. However, none have done so quite like Pokémon Sun and Moon, which arrived on Nintendo 3DS consoles back in November 2016.

These two titles marked a bold departure from the traditional gameplay that fans had come to expect from previous installments. Gone were the familiar routes and gyms; instead, players found themselves immersed in the vibrant world of Alola, where the sun always seems to be shining bright.

But beneath its idyllic surface lies an incredible amount of depth and complexity waiting to be uncovered. From hidden side quests and Easter eggs galore, to a wealth of new Pokémon species to catch and train - there's truly something for everyone within these two games.

Of course, as is often the case with successful franchises like this one, it wasn't long before talk began circulating about potential sequels or spin-offs being in development. And indeed they were; just over 12 months after their initial release dates (November 2017 to be exact), Nintendo released Pokémon Ultra Sun and Moon - two remastered versions of the original pair with plenty of new features thrown into the mix.

But what exactly sets these updated titles apart from their predecessors? In short, not much at all really. While they do offer some minor graphical improvements alongside a few additional items & moves for players to enjoy, overall gameplay remains largely unchanged compared to its predecessor.

So why bother with them then you might ask? Well aside from the obvious appeal of playing through these same old environments once again (albeit now looking marginally prettier), there isn't really much incentive here beyond perhaps satisfying completionists who feel compelled by sheer force of habit alone.

All things considered though, it's hard not to view Pokémon Ultra Sun & Moon as nothing more than unnecessary rehashes - an attempt by Nintendo simply to milk every last penny possible out from under its dedicated fanbase before moving onto greener pastures elsewhere. After all, how many times can you truly revisit the same tired old formulae without starting to feel like Groundhog Day on repeat?

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