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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Announced, 9th Generation Games to Launch in Late 2022 for Switch

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Announced, 9th Generation Games to Launch in Late 2022 for Switch - News

by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 March 2022 / 5,469 Views

Nintendo, The Pokemon Company and Game Freak have announced the ninth generation of Pokémon with Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet during the Pokémon Presents showcase as part of Pokémon Day.

The ninth generation Pokémon games is taking a new step in letting you go on an open-world adventure when they release for the Nintendo Switch in late 2022.

The different towns blend seamlessly into the wilderness without any borders. Pokémon can be seen in the skies, seas, forests, on the streets, and more. 

View the announcement trailer below:

Here is an overview of the game:

The Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet games, the newest chapters in the Pokémon series, are coming to Nintendo Switch later this year. With these new titles, the Pokemon series takes a new evolutionary step, allowing you to explore freely in a richly expressed open world.

Various towns blend seamlessly into the wilderness with no borders. You’ll be able to see the Pokemon of this region in the skies, in the seas, in the forests, on the streets—all over! You’ll be able to experience the true joy of the Pokemon series—battling against wild Pokemon in order to catch them—now in an open-world game that players of any age can enjoy.​

Starter Pokemon

The three Pokemon from which you’ll be able to choose your first partner are Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. How will you meet these three, and what sorts of Pokemon are they?

Sprigatito

  • Category: Grass Cat Pokemon
  • Height: 1’4″
  • Weight: 9 lbs.
  • Type: Grass
  • Ability: Overgrow

The capricious, attention-seeking Grass Cat Pokemon.

Fuecoco

  • Category: Fire Croc Pokemon
  • Height: 1’4″
  • Weight: 21.6 lbs.
  • Type: Fire
  • Ability: Blaze

The laid-back Fire Croc Pokemon that does things at its own pace.

Quaxly

  • Category: Duckling Pokemon
  • Height: 1’8″
  • Weight: 13.4 lbs.
  • Type: Water
  • Ability: Torrent

The earnest and tidy Duckling Pokemon.

Main Characters

As one of the main characters, you’ll set off on your adventure. Your outfit will vary depending on whether you play Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet. Who knows what kind of story awaits you?

Pokemon HOME Connectivity

After their release, Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet will be able to link with Pokemon HOME, a service that allows Trainers to keep their entire Pokemon collection in one place. By linking these games with Pokemon HOME, Trainers will be able to have Pokemon from other regions adventure alongside them in Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet.

View more screenshots of the game below:


A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.


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69 Comments
Manlytears (on 27 February 2022)

Now the abysmal quality and ugly visuals of pkm Arceus are starting to make sense. Whit luck scarlet and violet are made by a competent team...
Anyway, the true suprise... Damn, for the first time the fire type starter is not Chinese horoscope related!! They ruined a tradition!!

  • +4
Greenfox Manlytears (on 27 February 2022)

I have a feeling that the fire crocodile will evolve into a bull in a very surreal way xd

  • -1
Manlytears Greenfox (on 27 February 2022)

lol, that would be funny!

  • 0
PAOerfulone (on 27 February 2022)

That's going to make 3 major Pokemon games releasing within the span of 1 year.

  • +3
victor83fernandes PAOerfulone (on 02 March 2022)

Yeah and they don’t even take an effort to make it good. They are stealing from customers and customers are happy for it.
That’s why they don’t get a single dollar from me.

  • 0
SecondWar (on 27 February 2022)

Figured the announcement would be Gen 9. I’m still a sucker for the series so will inevitably be all in for it. Have to wait and see how it compares to Sword&Shield as well as Legends Arceus.

I do appreciate them adding the mythical quest into BDSP. Hopefully they also do the other two as well.

  • +2
Signalstar (on 27 February 2022)

Pokémon isn't for me anymore. They're releasing a constant stream of big Pokémon games yet the series doesn't seem to be slowing down. More power to them. The names are lame though.

  • +2
jason1637 Signalstar (on 27 February 2022)

Yeah the lats pokemon game i really enjoyed was Lets Go.

  • -1
Chazore Signalstar (on 27 February 2022)

Same. I think X/Y was my last stepping point, because when I tried Sun/Moon, I lost the will to finish playing it, and after that I haven't bought into a Pokemon title since.

I'm mostly just not a fan of the visuals, the performance and the art style choices, they all just seem like a horrible mix that puts me off wanting to play them these days.

  • 0
Pemalite Chazore (on 27 February 2022)

I went from Pokemon Red/Blue to Sword and Shield... Decades worth of gap... And still got disappointed.

Story was predictable, visuals were extremely sub-par for the hardware.

I wanted to get into Arcerus... But the technical makeup of the game just stopped me from getting immersed and truly enjoying it like Breath of the Wild.

  • 0
Zeldadude (on 27 February 2022)

Man this year is gonna be STACKED for Switch!

  • +1
SanAndreasX (on 27 February 2022)

So which real-world location is this based on? Italy? Spain?

  • +1
Manlytears SanAndreasX (on 27 February 2022)

My money on Italy. I mean, they would make a Ox fire type for Spain.

  • 0
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Greenfox SanAndreasX (on 27 February 2022)

Spain 100%.
I'm from Barcelona and I've seen many references in the trailer:

  • Stairs of the city = Park Güell stairs in Barcelona.
  • Great tower of the city = Towers of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
  • White windmills = Windmills of Consuegra.
  • The city walls = Episcopal Palace of Astorga.
  • The city square buildngs are similar to the Escorial or the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.
  • The main character's house is clearly Andalusian architecture, with Andalusian motifs.
  • The plant type starter is based on an Iberian lynx.

    Also, there is a map of Spain in the GameFreak offices XD.

  • +6
SanAndreasX Greenfox (on 27 February 2022)

That's kind of where I was leaning, but I confess that it's not out of any knowledge I have of Spain, since I've never been there. From my frame of reference, it reminded me vaguely of Spanish-style architecture I see in Arizona and California (I live in AZ).

  • 0
Kanemaru (on 01 March 2022)

Gimme a remake just like that of HeartGold/Soulsilver and I can die happy. But this new pokémon game doesn't interest me at all. I hate the designs of the new pokémons since many years.

  • 0
siebensus4 (on 28 February 2022)

I thought Ubisoft is a lazy company, but if you compare Immortals Fenyx Rising on Switch with the Scarlet/Violet preview, GameFreak's work doesn't look that good. I think GameFreak will improve things in the upcoming months, though.

  • 0
Greenfox (on 27 February 2022)

I don't understand The Pokemon Company's release schedule for 2022. Releasing the 9th generation this year is killing PLA sales. The game hasn't even had a Christmas, we already have its successor here.
Besides, it's a game with better graphics than PLA. With a more open, full and vertical world than PLA. And it's a new generation game. In general, it's a more complete game than PLA. If they also implement all the PLA mechanics, nobody will want to buy the first one.

  • 0
Slownenberg Greenfox (on 27 February 2022)

Yeah its a really odd choice to release this same year as PLA and announce it just a month after PLA launched. Like naturally at this point anyone who doesn't have PLA yet has gotta be thinking along the lines of "well why would I get the semi open world game when I can just wait until the holidays to get the first fully open world Pokemon". I mean if I didn't already have PLA at this point I would just wait for this game. PLA is great and all but it's like half the leap to fully open world, and a month after it came out their basically like ah forget PLA the full open world game is coming soon.

They should at least give PLA a holiday season to sell and have gen 9 hit in 2023 (ideally second half of '23). I don't see what the rush is to get 3 Pokemon games out in a 12/13 month timespan lol

  • 0
Greenfox Slownenberg (on 28 February 2022)

Totally. I still haven't finished Arceus, I haven't started the pearl/diamond remakes, and I've already got the 9th generation on top of me... Too much saturation of pokemon games....

  • -1
Manlytears (on 27 February 2022)

I have to say, I kinda like the new starters. I like Donal Duck, Bub and weed cat design, they are cute as f#$@

  • 0
LivncA_Dis3 (on 27 February 2022)

Isn't it way too early? Game freak slow down and polish the game no need to rush!

We just got Arceus!

  • 0
Manlytears LivncA_Dis3 (on 27 February 2022)

Does it really matter? With Arceus Game freak just proved that no matter how ugly and unpolished the game is, sadly pokemon fans will buy regardless!
Ugly? unpolished? Bad game? Doesn't matter, it's pokemon, it will sell!

  • -2
KLAMarine (on 27 February 2022)

Dude weed cat lmao

  • 0
SecondWar (on 27 February 2022)

Also, they’ve gone back to the Gen 1 naming convention of variants of Red & Blue. I’d thought they might save this sort of combo for a new Kanto game but appears not. Maybe some wishful thinking in my part.

  • 0
Chazore (on 27 February 2022)

I mean, there's a few more trees compared to the sparse amount that were in S&S, but the towns still look awfully dead and drab.

Starter Pokemon look great, especially the cat, but the trainers honest to god, look totally gash compared to the ones from previous gens. I really wish they would stop trying to change the styles that worked before with styles that look like they're trying to rip off from low budget indie devs.

At least stick with the style you were going with via S&S, since the trainers in that version had eyes closer to the current anime.

  • 0
Kakadu18 (on 27 February 2022)

Looks better than PLA especially in it's artstyle. A completely open-world Pokémon game was the logical next step for the series.

  • 0
Slownenberg (on 27 February 2022)

Shocked and blown away. Another pokemon so soon after two of them, but also open world Pokemon is happening already!

  • 0
Kneetos (on 28 February 2022)

I'd like them to bring back pokemon contests for the game
Maybe expand on that a bit, give its own little sub adventure

I'd take a break from being a pokemon battle champion to be a contest superstar

  • -1
progstarmac (on 28 February 2022)

I'm gonna get the crimson edition

  • -1
KLAMarine (on 27 February 2022)

I for one like this art style.

  • -1
Ninhut (on 27 February 2022)

I'm already very positive. I'm looking forward to it

  • -1
xMetroid (on 27 February 2022)

Should have announced this at E3 and just teased it here. Literally don't want to buy Arceus anymore since the year is stacked and this looks better. I wish they waited a year and just released a spin off for the holidays instead. I kinda was disappointed when they revealed it was indeed gen 9. Starters look good tho, i'm curious to see the legendaries since this is based on Grapes and Oranges... probably poison and fire legendaries ? I just want a difficulty mode right from the start so i don't get overpowered just by catching the new pokemons.

  • -1
Manlytears xMetroid (on 27 February 2022)

E3 !? Is E3 still a thing?

  • 0
Salnax xMetroid (on 27 February 2022)

E3 2022 isn't even confirmed yet.

  • +1
Fight-the-Streets (on 27 February 2022)

I never played Pokémon and I love detailed (realistic) graphics but c'mon don't tell me it would make a difference if there would be more details, more detailed geometry. It's a kids game, kids don't care. The Pokémon games obviously just seem so good that even lots of adults play it. That's a real testament to Game Freaks! It's like with kids cartoons, they are anything else than detailed and look cheep but honestly would it make a difference if they would be more detailed? The answer is no. Things that are fun for kids are just fun for them - no need for extra effort, it's as simple as that.

  • -2
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jason1637 shikamaru317 (on 27 February 2022)

I think it also has to go with Game Freaks lack of experience developing full 3d open worlds and the switch hardware limitations. But more the former than the latter. Hopefully on the Switch 2 open world pokemon sees a rise in quality on the graphics and performance end,

  • 0
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xMetroid shikamaru317 (on 27 February 2022)

And Botw was a Wii U title and their first new HD Zelda game. BOTW will probably look sharper than the previous one.

  • -1
Chazore shikamaru317 (on 27 February 2022)

I kinda think they should hire someone else to make the new gens going forward and move GF down to lesser and smaller projects, until they can prove themselves better with 3D projects again, because I don't think we should be having to sit through this every few years, of them hardly improving with their 3D renders each time.

  • +3
svenska4 shikamaru317 (on 27 February 2022)

Indeed. PS3/Xbox 360 also had GTA V after all....

  • +3
victor83fernandes jason1637 (on 27 February 2022)

It isn't, its because they make a new game in 7 to 8 months, while Nintendo works on a game like breath of the wild 2 for 5 or 6 years before launching.
Stop giving them excuses.

  • -1
SecondWar shikamaru317 (on 27 February 2022)

I don’t think these looks too bad technically. Certainly well beyond Legends Arceus but hard to say for certain until you get more gameplay footage.

The bit about ‘who knows what type of adventure awaits you’, though. Well, we all know, don’t we. The games always follow the same formula.

  • +3
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victor83fernandes SecondWar (on 27 February 2022)

It looks worse than Arceus on my TV. I see way more aliasing in this new pokemon than Arceus.

  • +1
Manlytears shikamaru317 (on 27 February 2022)

Agree with you. These games used to be $40 and now are $60 ( never saw people calling Nintendo for this). It would be expected substantial improvement on production values and general quality... But no, it's Nitendo, they got free pass! They can make PS360 tier games with outdated production from 15 years ago and still be praised no stop!! The fan base will buy with a big smile with no qualms and say "Nintendo is the best"!
Truly Nintendo have some wizards that manage to create such favoritism.

  • -2
Mnementh Manlytears (on 27 February 2022)

"Bohoohoo, Nintendo bad, Nintendo fans are drones." Get a grip. Everyone and their mother criticized Arceus graphics for good reason. Gamefreak isn't getting a free pass. And as you put it all on Nintendo, Nintendo itself and Monolith Soft already made better looking games for Switch. As shikamaru noticed.

We all sigh at Gamefreaks lack of polish. Still, graphics alone don't make or break a good game, so we will see if this turns out good.

  • -4
victor83fernandes Manlytears (on 27 February 2022)

Vote with your wallet, I decide to get all these for free, until the day Nintendo sorts out their pricing, first of all, ports or remasters that look barely any better than 15 old game should not cost 60 dollars. Second, show me quality, such as breath of the wild, pikmin 3, mario odyssey, show me that you care and Ill pay. Third, a game that launched 5 years ago should not cost still 60-70 dollars.
I am happy to pay for ps5 games, because I get a lot of discounts, I bought most ps5 games under 30 dollars, and those games hadn't been out even 6 months. Example, I can get far cry 6 right now for 20 dollars and that game has way more work and effort and budget than any pokemon ever made.

  • +3
Manlytears victor83fernandes (on 27 February 2022)

You said it brother, and I agree!

  • +3
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Manlytears CaptainExplosion (on 27 February 2022)

Yeah, I also loved weed cat.

  • 0
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Chazore shikamaru317 (on 27 February 2022)

I at one point thought that LoA was legit handed to an indie company, but nope, I was wrong and still disappointed.

I don't get it either, because I remember loving X/Y and that was semi 3D and looked great, imo, but after that gen things went downhill, visually speaking, at least in my eyes. Everything changing back and forth and not for the better, towns becoming deserted, less and less trees, grass everywhere, that looks like it gets mowed daily to keep it so short, that hardly any pokemon can hide in it.

At this point I'm not even asking for innovative interactive stuff, I just want the world to look and feel like it's alive, instead of a complete ghost town, with like 4-6 spots on a tiny world map (for a game that's asking me for £65).

  • +1
Manlytears Chazore (on 27 February 2022)

I feel you brother. Sadly people are still buying and praising low quality pokemon games, hard to see improvements with things going like this.
Hopefully scarlet/violet can deliver, but I'm not too optimistic.

  • -5
Chazore Manlytears (on 27 February 2022)

If the mobile industry has taught me anything, it's that there is no end to the bottom of that barrel. Once something there goes downhill, there's virtually no end to supporting said app to go further downhill.

  • +5
Greenfox shikamaru317 (on 27 February 2022)

But I honestly don't understand your excessive criticism towards GameFreak games anymore.... Arceus looked ugly, we all knew that. But these games, in my opinion, look much better. And if we compare it to the first Arceus teaser, the graphical distance is overwhelming. Arceus was already an improvement over S/S, and S/V is a giant step up from Arceus. For me GameFreak is improving their work, and this should be applauded, so that they understand that they are on the right track...

But that's just my humble opinion. With all due respect, I like what I see, and I find this kind of criticism, focused only on the money GameFreak makes, simplistic. To me they are heading in the right direction, and they don't seem to want to go backwards. This is what matters most.

  • 0
victor83fernandes shikamaru317 (on 27 February 2022)

Just imagine we are having 2 or 3 Pokémon games per year, they don't even take time to create something remarkable, why would they if people will buy it no matter what. Its easy money.
I cant really complain as I get them day one all free DLC and all. With that said I still haven't even tried shining pearl which I had since last year, and haven't even finished arceus. I would never pay for these games, nowhere near worth more than 15 dollars when there's many better games at that price. If nintendo wants my money, they better start working on good games, pikmin 4, a new 3d mario, metroid prime 4, maybe a new wave race.

  • +2
SecondWar victor83fernandes (on 28 February 2022)

What do you mean you get them all for free?

  • 0
victor83fernandes SecondWar (on 28 February 2022)

Does it matter? Free means you don't have to pay to have it. I would gladly pay if it was a really good game.

  • 0
SecondWar victor83fernandes (on 28 February 2022)

It matters if you’re pirating it.

  • 0
victor83fernandes SecondWar (on 02 March 2022)

Do you own the company? Do you have shares with them?

  • -1
SecondWar victor83fernandes (on 02 March 2022)

That’s irrelevant. If my pirating guess was correct, then that means you are stealing.
I don’t need to have any connection to the company to tell you that’s wrong.

  • 0
victor83fernandes SecondWar (on 02 March 2022)

Who cares what you think. I don’t even know you. Couldn’t care less about you.

  • -1
SecondWar victor83fernandes (on 02 March 2022)

Entitlement much? Pay for the games, they come back and complain about low quality.

  • 0
victor83fernandes SecondWar (on 02 March 2022)

No. Make good games then I’ll gladly pay.

  • 0
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