Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are dropping in November this year, and really do mark a new generation for the Pokemon series. Offering up the first, true open world adventure, we’ve now received quite a lot of new details for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Since the initial reveal, we’ve seen more of the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet starters, the introduction of new Legendaries, and part of the Gen 9 Pokedex, including the much-admired pig critter Lechonk, new professors. We also got confirmation that the latest entry will support four-player multiplayer, so there are plenty of reasons to get hyped about new Pokemon games.
We’ve even finally gotten an official November release date for what has easily become one of the most anticipated upcoming Switch games. If you’re looking forward to what looks set to be an exciting evolution for the series, read on below to find out everything we know so far about Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet release date
We were surprised in more ways than one when the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet reveal trailer landed. Not only do we get to go on a new adventure in the world of Pokemon, but we won’t even have to wait that long to experience it. Despite Legends: Arceus already launching this year, Nintendo has now confirmed that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are set to release on November 18, 2022.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Gen 9 starters are adorable
As is tradition with the core games in the series, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will introduce us to three new Gen 9 starters we can choose between at the beginning of the adventure. And as we saw at the end of the trailer in a delightful picture surrounded by a golden frame, the three critters are all very adorable in their own way. The Pokemon Scarlet and Violet starters include the Grass type cat Sprigatito, the Fire type croc Fuecoco, and the Water type duckling Quaxly.
The official website (opens in new tab) for the games also reveals little tidbits about their characteristics. The little croc, Feucoco, for example, is said to be laid back and does things at its own pace, while the grass kitty is capricious and the little duckling is earnest and tidy. Now the only question is: Which will you choose?
- Here are all the Pokemon confirmed for the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Pokedex so far
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is an open-world adventure
Pokemon Sword and Shield gave us the chance to run around certain wild areas, which was then expanded upon in Pokemon Legends: Arceus. The latter release had several big open areas across a world map to explore, but it still wasn’t truly open-world. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet looks set to take this an evolutionary step further with an open world that features towns that “blend seamlessly into the wilderness with no borders”. We’ll once again be able to see Pokemon out in the wild, with the freedom to explore this new region in the skies, seas, streets, and forests. The trailer showed off various locales that we can’t wait to see for ourselves.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will support four-player co-op
The second trailer for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet confirmed that the adventure will allow up to four players to explore the world together, along with returning features such as a trading and battling against your pals. We got a little taste of this in Pokemon Sword and Shield where you can traverse around the wild areas with a pal. Being able to explore the open-world of Scarlet and Violet with fellow trainers certainly sounds magical.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Legendaries
The latest trailer gave us our first look at the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Legendaries that will be featured in the new adventure. The impressive-looking Koraidon is the Legendary Pokemon of Pokemon Scarlet, while the equally eye-catching Miraidon will be the Legendary Pokemon in Violet. Fittingly, they both sport the colors of their respective versions. While there’s a lot of mystery surrounding these two Pokemon, they’re naturally said to have power that surpasses those of other critters.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduces a new friend
During our adventures in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, we’ll be meeting a new Pokemon trainer friend by the name of Nemona. We get to see a glimpse of this fresh face in the most recent trailer, and the official site says this new pal of ours has a “sunny and energetic disposition” with a fondness for Pokemon battles. As an experienced trainer, Nemona will act as a our guide.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet version differences
Different versions are another returning tradition for the series, and historically they will offer different Pokemon and legendaries. Alongside revealing the two new Legendary Pokemon that will be in either version, Game Freak has also confirmed some other differences between Scarlet and Violet.
For one, your player character will be sporting a different kind of outfit depending on the version you choose. Two new professors will also be introduced in the upcoming Pokemon adventure, and who you’ll meet will depend on the version you’ve chosen.
Trainers who choose Pokemon Scarlet will meet Professor Sada (left), while those who pick up Pokemon Violet will instead encounter Professor Turo (right). According to the official website for the game, each professor is said to be carrying out research into “certain lore passed down” in the new region. How mysterious.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s region could be based on Spain
In the past, we’ve seen how real-world locations have served as inspiration for regions in the series. The Galar region, for example, is based on the UK, while the Kalos region in Pokemon X and Y is inspired by France. We’ve yet to learn officially where Scarlet and Violet are set, but there’s a lot of interesting details fans have been picking up on in the trailer that could hint towards it being based on Spain. In one Twitter thread by Antonio Demico, the architecture and names of the starters are highlighted among other details.
Stay on top of all of the most exciting new releases coming to Nintendo’s console with our roundup of upcoming Switch games.