Everything on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

On 18 November 2022, developer Game Freak released Pokémon Scarlet and Violet for the Nintendo Switch. They announced it with a new trailer that shows a couple of new Pokémon. We saw an olive Pokémon called Smolive, and a swine called Lechonk. We also received new images of the starter Pokémon and the 2 legendary Pokémon called Koraidon and Miraidon.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet take place in the Paldea region. Just like Pokémon Legends Arceus, these games get an open world. This is a first for a traditional Pokémon title. This new region is based on Spain and Portugal, and is filled with deserts and coastal areas. But you'll also explore snow-capped mountains and stretched-out grasslands. In this new region, you'll collect 8 badges again. But this time, you can determine the order in which you challenge the gyms. Make sure you're strong enough, because the gym leaders might be stronger than you think. Each gym has a mission to be completed. For example, you'll have to find the missing Sunfloras for the Grass gym.

A new region also means new Pokémon to catch and train. The 2 legendary Pokémon, Miraidon, and Koraidon are very powerful and can change into a motorcycle or airplane. As a trainer, this will allow you to move through the open world fast. In August, a couple of new Pokémon were introduced. For example a new Paldean shape for Wooper, which lives in the swamp and is a Poison and Ground type. A completely new Pokémon is Fidough, a dog made of dough.

Just like the previous Pokémon games, the 2 versions differ each year. You can catch different Pokémon in Pokémon Scarlet than in Pokémon Violet. But not just the Pokémon differ, the professors do too. In Pokémon Scarlet, you'll have Professor Sada and in Violet Professor Turo. The games seem to have a clear theme too. The theme of Scarlet is supposed to be prehistoric, and Violet the future. Certain Pokémon are supposed to have a prehistoric shape too in Pokémon Scarlet, while they have a futuristic shape in Violet.

There's a new gimmick in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet too. This time, Pokémon can Terastallize. Each Pokémon in the Paldea region has a hidden type, in addition to their standard type. For example, Pikachu can have both Electric and Flying as a Tera type. Thanks to this, it can suddenly attack as Fly and isn't sensitive to attacks like Earthquake anymore. You can only Terastallize your Pokémon once during a battle. There's also a new evil team, called Team Star. Mela is the leader of this team. What the plans are of this team isn't out yet.

A completely new thing in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is that you can go out together in the new region. You can play the new Pokémon adventure online together with 3 friends. You'll also experience more freedom than before. That's because you're completely free to go anywhere you want, and you don't have to move along with the story line. In addition, you can completely adjust your trainer again, just like with Pokémon Legends Arceus.

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you can train your Pokémon in new ways. The new 'Let's Go' option allows your Pokémon to go on an adventure by itself. Your Pokémon will automatically battle wild Pokémon near them and will become stronger thanks to this. Your Pokémon will also find items during battles and you won't have to give your Pokémon instructions. That way, you can take your time exploring every corner of the Paldea region.