After a dry summer, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have returned with more news ramping up to their November release. Ever so slowly, Pokemon fans are gaining a clearer idea of what these radical new titles are bringing to the table. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be the first truly open world Pokemon games, and that will enhance both the single player and multiplayer experiences in different ways. To go along with the larger space, players have the chance to freely explore the Paldea region and progress down three different story paths. Meanwhile, multiplayer fans will now get the chance to explore and cooperate in the open world with up to three other players.
There are many new things to like in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, and a lot of details still feel like they're being withheld. After the mixed reception of Pokemon Sword and Shield, this entry seems like a step in the right direction. There are a couple questions that Pokemon veterans still have, however. The first is how many new Pokemon there are, and how much of the old roster is returning. The second, and some would say more pressing, concern is what the post-game will be like. Pokemon fans have been asking for better bonus content for years, and there are few quicker ways to provide that than bringing back the Battle Frontier.
The History of Pokemon Post-Game Changes
Pokemon and post-game content have always been an odd match for one another. In the first generation of the franchise, Kanto wasn't designed to offer anything beyond the Pokemon League and most of the original 151 Pokemon. After becoming the champion, players are simply expected to fill out their Pokedex, with Mewtwo’s cave opening to allow this. After that, it's all trading and battling with other humans. Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen added some additional content with the Sevii Islands and a few other features, but Generation 1 still lagged behind its competition.
It was Pokemon Gold and Silver that first impressed players by including the entire Kanto region as a bonus adventure. The fight with Red at the very end is legendary, and generated enough catharsis to justify the adventure. However, a new feature introduced in Pokemon Crystal deserves special attention. This third version of Gold and Silver introduced the Battle Tower, a short gauntlet that has stuck with Pokemon's post-game in one form or another since its inception. It's usually a simple tournament or series of randomized fights, but it at least provides replayable end game content in the absence of the much larger Battle Frontier.
The Battle Frontier Is Still Pokemon’s Best Post-Game
The Battle Frontier is legendary among veteran Pokemon players, having only existed in Pokemon Emerald, Pokemon Platinum, and Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver. While the Battle Tower is a part of it, it’s the plainest attraction. Each facility in the Battle Frontier offers a new and exciting way to experience high-level Pokemon battling. The Battle Factory allows players to rent Pokemon teams, while the Battle Pyramid has them navigate a miniature dungeon. Generation 4’s Battle Hall forces duels, while the Battle Arcade chooses random effects from slots before each battle. The amount of experimentation with Pokemon's regular format in the Battle Frontier is unparalleled within the mainline games.
The Frontier is designed to keep trainers coming back for a long time, as well. Each facility has two versions, with a reasonably long one providing a silver reward and a longer, tougher course that results in a gold reward. It may not sound like much, but players need to ensure their Pokemon teams and mechanical understanding are on point to get those gold medals. For those who are struggling to keep up, it's even possible to call in a friend to tackle some attractions together. The Pokemon franchise had never seen such a content-rich post-game before, and sadly, it hasn't since.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are Perfect for Bringing Back the Battle Frontier
Come Generation 5, Game Freak tried something different with the Pokemon World Tournament. While it was appreciated, it didn't match the Battle Frontier, and future games would disappoint even further. It took until Pokemon Sword and Shield's Expansion Pass to add features that would keep players coming back for more in the post-game, and they were still derided as less diverse than the Battle Frontier. Game Freak has resisted putting a Battle Frontier back into modern Pokemon games despite fan demands, but Pokemon Scarlet and Violet may be the ideal time to bring this feature back.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are firing on all cylinders, and the Battle Frontier would make them a clean sweep. For as far as Pokemon has advanced since its 2D days, no one feature has shown the creativity of the Battle Frontier facilities. Just bringing some of them back would make for a great time, and there's potential for more to be done with them. New types of battles like Triple Battles and Rotation Battles have been invented since the Battle Frontier was phased out, and there could be a new installation devoted to them. There could even be a fresh take on the automated Battle Palace fights involving Scarlet and Violet’s new Auto Battle mechanic.
All of this can happen with Scarlet and Violet's multiplayer framework in place, and the outdoor portion of the frontier could act as a lobby for many players to interact. Adding in the different difficulty levels present in the original could make Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Battle Frontier the ultimate version of a Pokemon post-game. Whether the Battle Frontier returns this generation or not, fans will continue to hope that it graces the series once again.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be released on November 18 for the Nintendo Switch.