Fat Pikachu and other giant Pokemon revealed for Sword and Shield

Pokemon is showing off its Gigantamax monsters and their new moves.

Corinne Reichert Senior Writer

Corinne Reichert (she/her) grew up in Sydney, Australia and moved to California in 2019. She holds degrees in law and communications, and currently oversees the CNET breaking news desk for the West Coast. Corinne covers everything from phones, social media and security to movies, politics, 5G and pop culture. In her spare time, she watches soccer games, F1 races and Disney movies.

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Corinne Reichert

Oct. 16, 2019 12:58 p.m. PT

Fat Pikachu Pokemon Sword Shield — Gigantamax Pikachu comes with a new move called G-max volt crash.
Screenshot by Corinne Reichert/CNET

The Pokemon Company has revealed new Gigantamax forms for its upcoming game Pokemon Sword and Shield. In a video posted to YouTube Wednesday, reported earlier by CNET sister site GameSpot, we see the beefier versions of Pikachu, Eevee, Charizard, Butterfree and Meowth.

Gigantamax Pikachu comes with a new move called G-max volt crash, which paralyzes all opponents. You can gain access to Gigantamax Pikachu by using your play records from Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu.

Then there's Gigantamax Eevee, which comes with a new move called G-max cuddle. It causes infatuation in "opposite-gender opponents." Similarly, you get this Pokemon by using your play records in Pokemon: Let's Go Eevee.

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Gigantamax Charizard Pokemon Sword Shield — Screenshot by Corinne Reichert/CNET

There's also a Gigantamax Charizard with a G-max wildfire move that damages all non-fire Pokemon for four turns; Gigantamax Butterfree with G-max befuddle that causes paralysis, poison or asleep status in opponents; and a special early order bonus of Gigantamax Meowth with G-max gold rush to confuse all targets and gain an in-game cash bonus. This stretched-out version of Meowth is available through Jan. 15, 2020.

Pokemon first showed off Gigantamaxing in July, saying the ability would change the game. The new Dynamaxing power will alter a Pokemon's physical appearance as well as its size.

Pokemon Sword and Shield is launching on the Nintendo Switch on Nov. 15. The game is set to bring hordes of new Pokemon monsters in an update called Gen 8.