Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Review: A New Evolution for the Nintendo Switch Open-World Adventure

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet mark a significant milestone for the franchise, bringing a true open-world experience to the Nintendo Switch for the first time.

Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, these titles launched globally on November 18, 2022, and rapidly achieved record-breaking sales, with over 20 million copies sold within six weeks, solidifying them as some of the best-selling games in the series’ history. These latest mainline entries build on the legacy of previous titles—including Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and the innovative Pokémon Legends Arceus—by refining and expanding upon the classic formula.

The journey begins with a familiar introduction: players design their character and are whisked away to an academy in the vast Paldea region, where foundational lessons in Pokémon training are delivered through a guided and linear opening sequence.

While this tutorial stage may feel predictable for long-time fans, it serves as a gentle ramp into the game’s sweeping open-world structure. A defining feature of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is their unbridled open-world design.

Shortly after the initial academy segment, players encounter the legendary Pokémon—either Koraidon or Miraidon—who become their principal mode of transportation across land, air, and sea.

This creates a sense of freedom reminiscent of acclaimed open-world titles, allowing players to chart their own course through Paldea.

For the first time in Pokémon history, the region is interconnected and explorable in any order, enhancing both immersion and player agency. The main storyline is divided into three distinct arcs that can be approached in any sequence: challenging Pokémon Gyms to earn badges, embarking on the Path of Legends to seek out the formidable Titan Pokémon (each defeat unlocking new traversal abilities for your legendary partner), and confronting Team Star along Starfall Street—a fresh antagonist group inspired by classic villains like Team Rocket.

This non-linear progression reinvigorates the traditional Pokémon experience and grants unprecedented flexibility in how objectives are tackled. Catching Pokémon remains central to the adventure, and the open-world environment bursts with wild creatures roaming visibly across diverse landscapes.

Across the game, trainers can encounter 400 different Pokémon, over 100 of which are brand new to the series.

Version exclusives encourage trading and collaboration, making full Pokédex completion a dynamic community effort via the Nintendo Switch’s online features. In terms of combat, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet remain faithful to the beloved turn-based mechanics, with thoughtful team assembly and type advantages still crucial for victory.

However, these games introduce the Terastallize mechanic—a transformative change that crystallizes Pokémon, altering or boosting their type for a strategic edge in battle.

This feature is available early and, while not game-breaking, adds visual flair and tactical depth to encounters. Despite all these innovations, the games have faced valid criticism regarding technical performance and graphical fidelity on the Nintendo Switch.

Frame rate drops, low-resolution textures, and limited draw distances are noticeable, especially when traversing Paldea’s wide-open spaces or accessing key menus such as the map or Pokédex, which can sometimes feel sluggish.

As noted in clear assessments from critics and the developer alike, these issues are an area where improvement is possible in future installments. Nevertheless, the dense and lively world, compelling new Pokémon designs, and the freedom to carve out your own journey elevate Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet as a major evolutionary step for the franchise.

They retain the addictive spirit of catching and battling Pokémon, now paired with an unprecedented sense of exploration and discovery on the Nintendo Switch platform.

While not flawless, this generation showcases Game Freak’s ambition and lays a strong foundation for the future of the series. Tested on Nintendo Switch with a review copy provided by Nintendo. Score: 8/10

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