Check Out the Demo and Get the Rewards

Possibly the best way to not only prepare yourself for the tropical setting of Alola, but also to give yourself a bit of a headstart when your copy of the game finally arrives is to check out the free demo that’s available to download via the Nintendo eShop. While the demo doesn’t last much longer than 45 minutes, there are some ways to snag yourself some pretty sweet rewards to take into the full game.
Not only can you get an Ash-Greninja to take into Pokemon Sun and Moon when you get your hands on them, but there are also some other small but still handy items up for grabs. We’ve got a full guide on how to get these other items if you want to get them all here.
Revisit the Old Games

Sometimes the best way to prepare for something you’re looking forward to is to revisit previous entries in the series or just do something within that universe. Getting reacquainted with the game’s mechanics, any hidden tricks you may have forgotten about and essentially getting yourself hooked on the catch ’em all formula is a great way to mentally prepare yourself for the journey to be had in Pokemon Sun and Moon.
While there are Pokemon X and Y, and Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire available on the 3DS, if you’re looking for something that little bit older you can also download Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow from the Nintendo eShop for the 3DS. Not only is this a great way to see how it all began, but it’ll also help you to get a little bit of a head start on your Pokedex thanks to the magic of Pokemon Bank.
Prepare Pokemon Bank

If you’re an avid Pokemon trainer determined to catch ’em all and complete your Pokedex, then you’ve likely already heard about Pokemon Bank. Allowing players to store up to 3000 Pokemon in the cloud and then transfer them between compatible games, Pokemon Bank is the perfect way to give yourself a head start on your Pokedex in Pokemon Sun and Moon.
If you’ve already got some of the earlier titles in the series that released on the 3DS, all of those hours grinding to find that elusive Venemoth or hunting down the legitimate Mewtwo in the original games will pay off when you bring them into Pokemon Sun and Moon. It’s worth noting that Pokemon Bank does require a subscription fee for the year, but if you’re an avid Pokemon fan, it’s worth the cash.
Co-Ordinate and Talk with Friends

Just like many Pokemon games that have released before them, Sun and Moon will each have a number of Pokemon exclusive to them. Though this is never a huge number that deters players from only picking up one, the seven ones available in each might give you an idea of what game you’d rather pick up. On that note, you should also get talking with your friends and family to see if someone is looking at picking up the other. A few worthwhile trades for each of you could see you overcome the exclusivity issue.
Heck, even talking with friends is a great way to get yourself prepared for Sun and Moon’s release. Picking up on little details you may have missed in the buildup to its release, and speculating on what the game may have awaiting players is always a great way to get your suitably hyped for the big day. You could even do it all over a leisurely Pokemon GO walk.
Final Reminders

Though we’re sure many of you will already have made these necessary preparations, we thought we’d throw in a couple of quick final suggestions to ensure your launch day goes as smooth as possible. First off, don’t forget to charge your system. Regardless of how much you play it, we all have a tendency to think our devices have way more charge than they actually do. Just give it a final check the night before to ensure you’re all set to play without having to be tethered to an AC socket.
Oh, and don’t forget to make sure you’ve got your copy pre-ordered or that you at least know somewhere you’ll definitely be able to get a copy from. The last thing you want is to have made all of these preparations to find you can’t get a copy anywhere. And finally, stock up on snacks and other necessary supplies. There’s no time for things like regular cooked meals when new Pokemon games release!
Now go catch ’em all, trainers!
Updated: Nov 16, 2016 10:00 am