Pokemon Scarlet & Violet has been released and once again the amazing world of Pokemon is at the forefront of all our minds. The game is set in the Paldea region and features over 100 new Pokemon to catch, collect and battle with. With fresh new features of the game, it looks to be a fantastic addition to the franchise.
Along with the new Pokemon comes the return of hundreds of old ones, including some from the original 151 Pokemon of the Kanto Region. These come with some twists and improvements to the old Pokemon with some new features of Scarlet & Violet implemented.
10 Dragonite
The original pseudo-legendary Pokemon is back in Scarlet & Violet. Dragonite is a fan-favorite, and it is great to see it back in Generation 9, after originally being cut in Pokemon Sword & Shield and unavailable in Pokemon Legends Arceus.
Dratini, Dragonite's first pre-evolution can be found in Casseroya Lake after unlocking the swim ability, and it then can be evolved into Dragonair at level 30 and then to the magnificent dragon at level 55. Special Dragonites with unique Tera types can be found later on in the game, so gamers should be looking to snag those.
9 Gyarados
Gyarados is back! The water type seems to appear in every game of the franchise, but with no complaints, as it is a very powerful Pokemon and is always easy to acquire. Its first form, Magikarp can be found everywhere in Paldea so make sure to catch one and evolve it to Gyarados in Scarlet & Violet.
With its strong and iconic design, it is a Pokemon that has stood the test of time, its 125 attack stat makes it a menace and will again be the go-to water type for many gamers. Gyarados itself can be found in the sea's around Paldea, so fans could just skip training a Magikarp and go straight to the water/flying type.
8 Scyther
Scyther has such an iconic design, a giant praying mantis with large scythes for hands, it is one of the best bug types in the franchise, and it is a welcome addition to Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. Scyther is deadly with its great attack (110) and speed (105) stats and is a must-catch in the game.
A bug/flying type, it can evolve into Scizor, introduced in Generation 2 when traded while holding a metal coat, but Scyther is such a strong Pokemon already without the need to evolve. In Pokemon Legends Arceus Scyther could evolve into a Kleavor, but that has not returned for this game.
7 Jigglypuff
Jigglypuff returns with a surprising twist. One of the more iconic Pokemon in the franchise fans will remember the pink ball of fluffs exploits in the anime, putting Ash and companions to sleep and then drawing on them on multiple occasions.
However, in this game, Jigglypuff has an interesting new variation. Paradox forms are introduced in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, during the Way Home storyline. In Scarlet fans encounter ancient Pokemon, and in Violet, future Pokemon. A Jigglypuff Scream Tail is a feral fairy/physic ancient relative of the Kanto Pokemon. This early into the game not much is known about the paradox Pokemon but they certainly seem interesting.
6 Mankey
A relatively underused Pokemon, Mankey has been given a new lease on life in Scarlet & Violet with a new evolution introduced in the game. Mankey still evolves into Primeape, but then can evolve into Annihilape. A fighting and ghost type which can be acquired when Primeape levels up after using Rage Fist 20 times.
Mankey can be found in South Province Area One, South Province Area Five, and West Province Area One in Paldea. Make sure to catch one and evolve it to experience its new evolution in the game.
5 Tauros
Fans have been crying out for a Tauros evolution since it was included in the very first game's release back in 1996, and it still hasn't received one, but it has received a new variant and a form to go along with it.
Tauros' Paldean variant features a slick new black color scheme, which is an improvement on its original design, and it also comes with a new type, pure fighting. In Scarlet, a fire/fighting version known as a blaze breed can be captured. In Violet, an aqua breed can be found which is a water/fighting both improvements on the original 151 Tauros.
4 Gengar
This ghost type, along with its pre-evolutions was once the only one of its kind back in Pokemon Red & Blue, but now they are hundreds of ghost types in Pokemon. Gengar still manages to be one of the most used and recognizable ghosts in the franchise. A simple but amazing design, Gengar is one of the best and strongest Kanto Pokemon in Scarlet & Violet, with 130 special attack and 110 speed.
Ghastly can be found in multiple places in Paldea, but make sure it is nighttime. It can then be evolved into Haunter at level 25 and then traded to evolve it into Gengar. That last step may be tricky to do but worth it for this powerful poison gas Pokemon.
3 Diglett
Gamefreak appears to have a strange obsession with Diglett as of late. In Pokemon Sun & Moon it had a regional variant with added hair and steel typing.
Diglett is back for Generation 9 and it has a strange new form. Wiglett is a new Pokemon in the game. It is a water type with a very close resemblance to Diglett, but it has no relation to the Generation 1 ground type. Diglett can be found in multiple locations in Paldea, but maybe going for its new Doppelganger, Wiglett, would be the better choice.
2 Magnemite
Magnemite, Magneton, and Generation 4 Magnezone return to Scarlet & Violet, a Pokemon with a unique design. It has an updated texture in this new game with a shiny metal coating, which is a fantastic improvement for the magnet Pokemon.
Similarly to Jigglypuff or 'Scream Tail,' Magnemite's evolution Magneton has a Paradox Pokemon variation called Sandy Shocks, an ancient ancestor of Magneton which is an electric/ground type. These new improvements breathe new life into the Magnemite line and it will certainly be more used in the new game.
1 Pikachu
Of course, Pikachu was going to be included in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, but the franchise's mascot was never going to be dropped from the lineup. If fans pre-ordered the game they would receive a special Pikachu that knows how to fly and also has a flying tera type.
This is a great change to Pikachu and with the Pokemon Home, gamers can have all their special Pikachu in one place. Can the game be beaten by just using multiple Pikachu? If players are lucky enough to get this one, maybe that is a possibility.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is currently available on Switch.