Here’s Everything Announced From Today’s ‘Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’ Stream

Today’s Pokémon Presents stream brought with it a tonne of new details about Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, as well as a brand new trailer. 

There’s loads to get into here (with extra details from an official press release), from the region’s name to some adorable new Pokémon, so let’s get straight into it.

But, before we do, be sure to take a look at that new trailer below.

First up, we finally have the region name - Paldea. Players will enrol in an academy in the region’s largest city, Mesagoza, and set out on an adventure. It’s been confirmed that the region will be entirely open-world - players will be able to explore it freely, and complete its eight gyms in any order they please, for the first time in the series’ history. As well as the regular gym quest, there’ll apparently be two other stories to complete (which, again, you can do in any order). 

Remember those funny looking legendary Pokémon that appeared to have wheels coming out of their chests? Yeah, they really ARE bikes. Koraidon and Miraidon will serve as partners throughout the games, who you’ll be able to both ride, glide, and surf on.

We’ve also been introduced to this generation’s ‘gimmick’ - where the sixth generation brought us Mega Evolution and the eighth brought in Dynamaxing, Scarlet and Violet include the Terastal Phenomenon, which basically seems to amount to crystal forms. All Paldean Pokémon can Terastallize to gain a little crown on their heads, and more importantly, increase the power of their moves which are the same Type as their Tera Type, which can vary from a Pokémon’s usual Type. Raid battles will be making a return from Sword and Shield - this time, players can team up to take down Terastallized wild Pokémon. 

As for the new Pokémon then, we’ve got three to fall in love with. First up, Cetitan - the Ice-Type Terra Whale Pokémon. These chunky bois are apparently covered in a thick layer of fat to protect them as they migrate through snowy regions, and pack some immense physical power.

We also have a new regional form of Wooper, who’ll be a Poison/Ground-Type instead of the regular Water/Ground. Paldean Wooper are covered in a poisonous film, which they developed to stop their bodies drying out on land. Their gills have hardened, and their bodies are heavier, making them slow-moving as a result, but they can fire out potent poisonous liquid from their gills to fight off enemies.

My personal favourite of the bunch though is Fidough - a Fairy-Type Puppy Pokémon who, as the name suggests, is basically bread. It’s a dog made of dough. Fidough. Perfection. Apparently, they can intimidate their opponents by puffing up their bodies, and can ferment things using their yeasty breath, which is handy for cooking. I love you, Fidough.

Finally, we’ve now met some more of the human characters. We’ve met the Ice-Type gym leader, Grusha, who apparently used to be a professional snowboarder before taking on the Glaseado Gym. Clavell is the academy’s director, and Jacq, who will serve as the player’s homeroom teacher, is the developer of the Rotom Phone’s Pokédex app. Arven is a great cook and spends his time researching recipes for Pokémon, and there’s also a mysterious, shy girl called Penny. 

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will release exclusively on the Nintendo Switch on 18 November. Players who pre-purchase the game(s) will also receive a special Flying Tera Type Pikachu with the move Fly.