Nintendo Switch owners have a handful of big games to anticipate as we head into the second half of 2022, however the marquee releases this holiday season are Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the following mainline installments in Nintendo’s famous monster-catching series.
Set in a completely new region loaded up with a variety of exotic Pokemon to catch and raise, Scarlet and Violet mark the beginning of a new generation for the long-running franchise. Now that the games’ second trailer is live, here’s a recap of all that we know about the forthcoming titles up to this point.
Release date
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will launch for Nintendo Switch on November 18, 2022.
Setting
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet occur in a vast, brand-new region apparently inspired by Mediterranean Spain.
Unlike the self-contained regions in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Scarlet and Violet’s region is the first truly open-world setting in the series’ history. As the game’s 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!”
New Pokemon
Alongside familiar monsters from previous titles, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will feature a variety of fresh Pokemon. The game’s uncover trailer showcased the three potential partner Pokemon that players will pick between while starting the adventure: the grass-type cat Sprigatito; the fire-type crocodile Fuecoco; and the water-type duckling Quaxly.
Version differences
As with past Pokemon games, there will be some differences between Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet, one of which is your mentor’s appearance. Depending on which game you pick, your character will sport a different outfit, which will somehow tie into the story.
Also, you’ll meet a different Pokemon Professor relying upon which version you pick. Professor Sada shows up in Pokemon Scarlet, while Professor Turo is the head researcher in Pokemon Violet
Pokemon Home connectivity
Like other Pokemon titles for Nintendo Switch, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be compatible with the Pokemon Home service, allowing you to import select Pokemon you’ve caught in previous games and use them in the new adventure.
Multiplayer
Like past games in the series, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet let you connect with different players to exchange and fight Pokemon. Notwithstanding those staple features, the new titles likewise let you explore the region along with up to three different players – – a first for the series. The June trailer offered a glimpse of multiplayer exploration, showing four player characters getting together and adventuring in a same world together.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are as yet a couple of months away, but meanwhile, Nintendo has a couple of notable games in the pipeline for the Switch this year. The sprawling RPG Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is currently set to launch in July, while Splatoon 3 is coming in September.
