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Decisions, decisions.

Since the games’ titles were leaked last February, Pokémon trainers around the world have been waiting with bated breath for the release of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, the newest installments in Nintendo’s monster catching and rearing video game franchise. But choosing between the two versions of the game isn’t the only choice fans will have to make. There’s also the matter of which starter Pokémon they’ll select to be their first partner in their quest to catch ‘em all.

It’s an important decision, and one that gamers have been periodically making for over two decades now. So while the launch of Sun and Moon is still months away, it’s never too early to start mulling over your options, and to help get those mental gears turning, The Pokémon Company has revealed the games’ three starter options in a new preview video.

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As is tradition, players will be offered a grass, fire, or water-type Pocket Monster to start the game with.

▼ Owl-like grass Pokémon Rowlet is pretty adorable, even though his ability to rotate his head is sort of creepy.

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▼ Water-type Popplio looks to be half puppy, half seal cub.

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▼ Finally, Litten figures to be the most popular choice, given the historical popularity of fire-type starter Pokémon and the digital generation’s intense love of cats.

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The video also shows off the games’ setting. Contrary to our scholarly speculation, the games do not, in fact, take place on the sun and moon. Instead, the events of Sun and Moon unfold in the much more inviting environment of the Alola region, a tropical island chain covered with palm trees, stone idols, and Aloha shirts, seemingly blessed with constantly sunny and balmy weather.

▼ Seriously, there’s not a single pair of long pants to be seen in the video.

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In keeping with the Pacific island theme, The Japanese arm of the Pokémon Company has also released a promotional video in which Japanese elementary school kid Shohei’s family relocates to Hawaii. Despite some initial shyness and language difficulties, he eventually bonds with his new classmates thanks to their shared love of Pokémon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r0_F-_ClcQ

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▼ You know, Nintendo, if you’re really committed to bringing people of different countries together through your games, you could make the 3DS region-free.

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But as one final gesture that Pokémon fans around the world are all connected, the videos trumpet the same release date for the English and Japanese versions of Sun and Moon: November 18.

Follow Casey on Twitter for more advance notice about important Pokémon-based life decisions.

Source: Jin
Featured image: YouTube/The Official Pokémon Channel
Top image: YouTube/The Official Pokémon Channel
Insert images: YouTube/The Official Pokémon Channel, YouTube/PokemonCoJp