The second half of 2022 is shaping up to be a busy time for the Nintendo Switch, but the system’s marquee releases this holiday season are Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the next installments in the beloved monster-catching series.
Set in an entirely new region filled with a variety of exotic Pokemon to catch and raise, Scarlet and Violet mark the start of a new generation for the long-running franchise. Now that the games’ third trailer is live, here’s a recap of everything we know about the upcoming titles so far.
Release date
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will launch for Nintendo Switch on November 18, 2022.
Setting
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet take place in Paldea, a vast, brand-new region seemingly inspired by Mediterranean Spain.
Unlike the self-contained areas in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Paldea is the first truly open-world setting in the series’ history. As the games’ official website describes, “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 explore a vast, open world in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Nintendo / The Pokemon Company
Whereas previous Pokemon games followed a linear story, Scarlet and Violet will offer a greater degree of freedom in how your own adventure unfolds. According to the official website, “you’re free to explore at your leisure and not in an order dictated by the story.”
New Pokemon
Along with many familiar monsters from previous titles, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will feature a variety of brand-new Pokemon. The games’ reveal trailer showcased the three potential partner Pokemon that players will choose between when beginning the adventure: the grass-type cat Sprigatito; the fire-type crocodile Fuecoco; and the water-type duckling Quaxly.
We got a look at a handful of other monsters in the games’ June trailer, including the pig Pokemon Lechonk and the olive Pokemon Smoliv. On top of that, the video offered our first glimpse at each game’s legendary cover Pokemon: Koraidon (Pokemon Scarlet) and Miraidon (Pokemon Violet).
The three starter Pokemon players will choose between when beginning Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
The Pokemon Company
Version differences and exclusives
As with previous Pokemon games, there will be some differences between Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet, one of which is your trainer’s appearance. Depending on which game you choose, your character will be a student at a different academy, with a different uniform as your starting outfit.
Your Pokemon trainer will start with a different outfit depending on which game you play.
The Pokemon Company
In addition, you’ll meet a different Pokemon Professor depending on which version you choose. Professor Sada appears in Pokemon Scarlet, while Professor Turo is the head researcher in Pokemon…