Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are the latest mainline games in the Pokémon franchise. These games introduced Generation IX to gamers and innovated the Pokémon formula like never before. Scarlet and Violet turned the world of Pokémon upside down.
Because Scarlet and Violet are so different from other mainline games, there are a lot of interesting details that players might not have realized. Today, we’re going to explore some of those looked-over details that make Scarlet and Violet stand out. Here are seven facts about Pokémon Scarlet and Violet that you might have missed.
7. The Paldea Region
Ever since Generation I, all the way back in Kanto, each new region has been based on a real location. That fact remains true in Generation IX with the Paldea region. The Paldea region is based on the Iberian Peninsula, which consists of Spain, Portugal, and Andorra.
The real-world influence can be seen throughout the entire region. Many of the buildings match the style of architecture found in Portugal. Many of the NPCs will randomly throw in Spanish words in their dialogue. Even the name of the region, Paldea, is derived from the Spanish word aldea, which means village or hamlet. Paldea is filled to the brim with Spanish and Portuguese, music, food, and plant life.
6. The 1,000th Pokémon
It’s no secret that Pokémon has a truly massive cast of creatures that can be caught and battled with. Some would even say there are too many. With each new generation, dozens of new Pokémon get added to the roster. With the newest entry in the series, Scarlet and Violet, we’ve finally crossed the threshold of over a thousand Pokémon.
The highly anticipated one-thousandth Pokémon is definitely an interesting one. Gholdengo is a Pokémon made of solid gold and is the evolution of Gimmighoul. As an interesting reference to Gholdengo being the one-thousandth Pokémon, Gimmighoul doesn’t evolve until the player has collected nine hundred and ninety-nine Gimmighoul Coins.
Gimmighoul Coins can only be acquired through defeating Chest Form Gimmighoul or interacting with Roaming Form Gimmighoul that drop the coins when they flee. Collecting all nine hundred and ninety-nine coins can be a tedious process, but at least you get a shining trophy like Pokémon to reward your hard work.
5. Lowest Rated Game
Before Pokémon Scarlet and Violet were released, there was a lot of hype and anticipation surrounding the games. Generation IX represents a major departure from the mainline series. We’re finally getting a completely open-world Pokémon game that encourages exploration and nonlinear progression.
Despite the excitement, Scarlet and Violet didn’t do all that well with critics. The initial performance issues that were present during the release hurt the game significantly in the eyes of critics. Both Scarlet and Violet sit at 72% on Metacritic, making it the lowest-rated mainline Pokémon game. Despite the poor critic score, Scarlet and Violet sold amazingly well. Scarlet and Violet were the most pre-ordered games in the franchise’s history, so maybe the critic score isn’t everything.
4. Time Traveling Pokémon
During the last few generations, Pokémon has become famous for its gimmicks. These gimmicks have ranged from regional Pokémon, temporary evolutions, and Pokémon that can grow to the size of giants. Some gimmicks have been better than others, but Scarlet and Violet introduced a new gimmick that is truly unique.
There are actually time-traveling Pokémon in the Paldea region. Prehistoric or futuristic versions of present-day Pokémon are present depending on which version of the game you purchase. These Paradox Pokémon have unique designs and different typing from their present-day versions.
Most of the Paradox Pokémon are based on a single present-day Pokémon. The only Paradox Pokémon based on more than one Pokémon is Iron Valiant. This futuristic Pokémon is based on both Gardevoir and Gallade. This can be seen in its androgynous design.
3. Version Specific Professors
Scarlet and Violet have a recurring theme of the past and the future throughout the games. Part of that theme is represented through the games’ professors. In previous Pokémon games, the Pokémon Professor that gives you your starters is the same regardless of which version you buy.
Scarlet and Violet break that decades-long tradition. If players purchase Pokémon Scarlet, they get the primal looking, Professor Sada while players of Pokémon Violet get the futuristic looking, Professor Turo.
In the previous games, all of the Pokémon Professors were named after different species of trees. Professor Oak was the first to start this trend and is the most iconic. Surprisingly, both Professor Sada and Professor Turo lack the tree naming theme.
2. The Box Legendary is a Vehicle
One of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s biggest departure from tradition is the way that it handles Legendary Pokémon. In all the other previous games, catching the Legendary Pokémon on the box art was an end-of-game goal. Players had to solve puzzles and beat the game’s criminal organization before they even got the chance to catch it.
Generation IX changed that routine. Right after receiving your starter Pokémon and beginning your journey, players will encounter the game’s legendary Pokémon, Koraidon or Miraidon. The legendary will join you on your journey as a mount to help you traverse the region.
Despite the legendary appearing so early, players will still have to work before they can use it in battle. Koraidon/Miraidon is injured and has lost its battle spirit, so it can’t be a part of your team just yet. Players won’t be able to use Koraidon or Miraidon in battle until the end of the game.
1. You Shape Your Journey
In the past, Pokémon games have been very formulaic. Players acquire their starters and begin their journey to become the Pokémon Champion. They’ll challenge the eight Gym Leaders in a very specific order and then move on to the Elite Four. Fans have been asking for a shake-up of that formula for years now. Scarlet and Violet finally delivered.
In the Paldea region, you don’t have to challenge the Gym leaders in order. You decide what order to take on the Gym Leaders. The Pokémon Gyms don’t scale alongside the player, so if you wanted, you could work your way backwards from their intended order. This adds a new level of freedom in Pokémon that doesn’t exist in previous games.