The next major Pokémon games have been revealed to be Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, and they will be released on Switch in “late 2022”.
This news came today Pokémon Day Stream. Pokémon Red and Blue were released in Japan on February 27, 1996, and these days the Pokémon Company celebrates its annual anniversary with a stream of all of its games, including updates. and more for them. This year included a lot of that, but it ended with the big reveal that Generation 9 is coming this year.
The trailer begins with a security guard at Game Freak checking something before it switches to a shot of Scarlet and Violet. Adopting the look and feel of Sword and Shield (albeit with significant graphical upgrades), the game appears to be set in an area such as Italy or perhaps somewhere in South America based on some architectures. Despite that, the trailer has plenty of sweeping vistas, familiar pocket monster faces, and a nice use of color.
“With these new titles, the Pokémon series takes a new evolutionary step, allowing you to freely explore in a richly rendered open world,” the game’s official pages read. “Various towns that blend seamlessly into the wild without borders. You’ll be able to see Pokémon of this region in the sky, in the sea, in the woods, in the streets – all! You’ll be able to! Experience the true joy of the Pokémon series – battling wild Pokémon to catch them – now in an open-world game that players of all ages can enjoy.”
Perhaps most exciting for fans is the big reveal about the Gen 9 starters: the grass-type Sprigatito cat, the fire-type Fuecoco alligator, and the Quaxly water-type duckling. All three look great and we can’t wait to see what they develop into later this year.
Game Freak says these games will arrive on Switch in late 2022, so expect a release date to be revealed then around October or November.
For now, we have a few questions: this is the first generation to use color in the name since Black and White 2 – does that signify anything? On the same note, is Scarlet and Violet a play by Red and Blue? Is this a spiritual reboot for the series? Based on the description of this game and how open and seamless the world is in nature, it wouldn’t be surprising if this is a new development of the main franchise.
While we wait to find out more, read all the other Pokémon Day announcements such as New Daybreak update for Pokémon Legends: Arceus or new Shaymin Mystery Gift Event is currently happening in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl.
Are you excited for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet? Let us know in the comments below!
