Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Genres: Role-playing
Website
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: Nintendo
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Released: 2022, November 18
Rated: E for Everyone
Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are 2022 role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company for the Nintendo Switch. They are the first installments in the ninth generation of the Pokémon video game series. They were announced in February 2022 and released on 18 November 2022. The games later received a downloadable content (DLC) expansion pass storyline, The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero. The first part, The Teal Mask, was released on 13 September 2023, and the second part, The Indigo Disk, was released on 14 December 2023. A post-game expansion, Mochi Mayhem, considered the epilogue to the DLC and the games themselves, was released on 11 January 2024.
Unlike previous Pokémon installments, Scarlet and Violet take place in the Paldea region, which is based on the Iberian Peninsula (primarily Spain) and features an open world. There are three separate stories the player can complete. Scarlet and Violet introduce 120 new Pokémon, along with two new regional forms and time-displaced creatures known as Paradox Pokémon. It also introduces the Terastal phenomenon, which allows a Pokémon to transform into its exclusive 'Tera Type'. The games maintain features from previous modern Pokémon games, including large open areas and Pokémon appearing in the overworld.
The games began development immediately following the release of their predecessors, Pokémon Sword and Shield. Developers at Game Freak wished to incorporate a new art style with the games, incorporating a more realistic world design while maintaining more stylized character designs. Models and animations for species of Pokémon were re-done from prior games to fit in with this new artistic style.
Scarlet and Violet received average reviews from critics. The games were praised for various different aspects like the story, while technical problems received criticism. The games sold over 10 million copies in their first three days, making them Nintendo's biggest launch of all time, and over 27 million copies by March 2025. A free update for the games on Nintendo Switch 2, including improved visuals, performance, and other adjustments, was released on 5 June 2025.