Pokémon Scarlet/Violet free download announced, but you don't have forever

Pokémon fans still attempting to catch 'em all are about to be handed a big help thanks to a new free download announced by The Pokémon Company.

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet were released for the Nintendo Switch in 2022, and we've been getting a steady stream of nice updates and free surprises since then.

While the most recent mainline Pokémon games might not be the most technically impressive (an understatement), they're still a ton of fun and represent a promising step forward for the series in terms of gameplay, if not in power.

If you're still playing Pokémon Scarlet or Violet the good news is you can grab a free gift. As of right now, you can add Roy’s Fuecoco from Pokémon Horizons: The Series via the Mystery Gift feature.

As a press release explains: "Once the Partner Ribbon is assigned to Fuecoco, it will be granted the title 'Roy’s Fuecoco' as it is sent into battle within the game.”

Pokémon Horizons is the latest instalment in the Pokémon anime series, if you've not been following along. Ash Ketchum is long gone, and the series instead follows Roy and his partner Fuecoco. Fuecoco is, of course, one of the starter Pokémon in the latest games, but if you never picked them this is your chance.

To claim your free gift, simply follow these steps:

1. Launch your copy of Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet
2. Select Poké Portal on the X menu.
3. Select Mystery Gift, then select Get with Code/Password to connect to the internet.
4. Enter the password 909TEAMUP06
5. Fuecoco will appear in your party or in your Pokémon Boxes.
6. Make sure you save the game after you're done!

It's worth noting you don't have forever to claim this free download. The password will officially expire on 31 January, 2025.

Okay, so you do have a while... but why put it off when we both know you'll inevitably forget until 31 January? I don't want to see you Fuecoco-less.