Nintendo Switch fans treated to surprise Pokémon free download you can claim now

If you’re a Pokémon fan who plays on the Nintendo Switch, then you can claim a batch of free downloads today.

Without question, the Pokémon franchise is one of the biggest in the entire entertainment industry, spanning video games, animated TV series, collectable cards, merchandise and more.

Check out the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet trailer below!

The most recent game entries in the series are Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, both released for the Nintendo Switch in 2022, followed by two expansions, The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero: The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disc.

In our review of Pokémon Scarlet, we said it’s a great game held back by poor performance but “if this is what an open-world Pokémon game is now, it's tantalising to consider what is coming in the future”.

Now, fans are eagerly waiting for the arrival of the next game in the series, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which is currently scheduled to be released on the Nintendo Switch sometime in 2025.

Until then, there’s still plenty of fun to be had with all Pokémon games across multiple generations. However, if you want free downloads to showcase your love for the series, then today is your lucky day.

Right now, you can claim a batch of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet icons to proudly display on your Nintendo Switch Online profile. The profile icons can be purchased for between five and 10 Platinum Points, one of two free reward currencies from Nintendo.

The current Pokémon Scarlet and Violet icons are only available until 6 January 2025 when the next batch arrives on rotation. You can access the free icons via the Nintendo Switch home screen by going to ‘Nintendo Switch Online’ and then selecting the ‘Missions & Rewards’ section.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are available now on the Nintendo Switch.