Pokemon Ultra Sun vs Ultra Moon has the longest lists of the 3DS era, with 36 wild Pokemon only in Ultra Sun and 36 only in Ultra Moon, plus a different Ultra Beast and a different box form of Necrozma. The Alola story and the Totems are shared.
Which Pokemon only one version has
!A screenshot from Pokemon Ultra Sun
Ultra Sun's side includes Turtonator, Rampardos, Heatran and Tyrantrum. Ultra Moon's side includes Oranguru, Cradily, Manectric and Dragalge.
| Only in Ultra Sun | Only in Ultra Moon | |---|---| | Turtonator | Drampa | | Passimian | Oranguru | | Rufflet | Vullaby | | Braviary | Mandibuzz | | Houndour | Celesteela | | Houndoom | Sandshrew | | Kartana | Sandslash | | Vulpix | Kabuto | | Ninetales | Kabutops | | Omanyte | Entei | | Omastar | Lugia | | Raikou | Electrike | | Anorith | Manectric | | Armaldo | Baltoy | | Latios | Claydol | | Groudon | Lileep | | Cranidos | Cradily | | Rampardos | Latias | | Dialga | Kyogre | | Heatran | Shieldon | | Cottonee | Bastiodon | | Whimsicott | Palkia | | Tirtouga | Regigigas | | Carracosta | Petilil | | Golett | Lilligant | | Golurk | Archen | | Tornadus | Archeops | | Reshiram | Thundurus | | Clauncher | Zekrom | | Clawitzer | Skrelp | | Tyrunt | Dragalge | | Tyrantrum | Amaura | | Xerneas | Aurorus | | Buzzwole | Yveltal | | Blacephalon | Pheromosa | | Ho-Oh | Stakataka |
Solgaleo or Lunala, and a different Ultra Beast
!A screenshot from Pokemon Ultra Moon
Solgaleo waits on Mahalo Trail in Ultra Sun at level 60, and Ultra Moon has Lunala there. At Poni Grove the Ultra Beast changes too: Stakataka in Ultra Sun and Blacephalon in Ultra Moon.
Dusk Mane or Dawn Wings on the box
!A screenshot from Pokemon Ultra Sun
The cover is the quickest way to tell the games apart: Ultra Sun's box has Dusk Mane Necrozma and Ultra Moon's has Dawn Wings Necrozma. Each Necrozma form goes with the legendary of its own game.
Captains and the Ultra Recon Squad
!A screenshot from Pokemon Ultra Moon
A few trainers change with the version. Sophocles appears as a Captain in Ultra Sun and Lana in Ultra Moon. In the Ultra Recon Squad you face Dulse in one game and Soliera in the other. Sophocles brings Magnezone and Golem at level 51, while Lana brings Cloyster and Araquanid at the same level.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Ultra Sun for Solgaleo and Heatran, and Ultra Moon for Lunala and Oranguru. If you want to start the post-game with a specific Ultra Beast, that decides it more than any trainer. We would take Ultra Moon for Oranguru, who has the face of a person who has already seen the end of the game.
Ultra Sun vs Ultra Moon FAQ
Can you get Lunala in Ultra Sun?
Yes, but only through a trade. In the wild it is an Ultra Moon exclusive.
Is the Alola story different in the two games?
No. A few Captains and Ultra Recon Squad members change, but the story and the map are the same.
