The newest Pokemon title, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, quickly approaches its release on November 18, 2022. The Pokemon Company debuted a new Pokemon Presents, covering info on the Pokemon World Championships, Pokemon GO, and other spin-off titles. Of course, most fans are anticipating the first entry in the series' ninth generation.
Ironically, some fans were worried that there wouldn't be much to reveal after several weeks of leaked information about the game. However, there were plenty of surprises in store to get fans excited about the next iteration of the Pokemon franchise. These ten new pieces of information were enough to stir up hype for Scarlet & Violet's release.
10 Welcome To The Paldea Region
Fans were finally treated to more information about the region they'll get to explore. It had previously been revealed that the Spain-inspired locale would be the series' first fully seamless, open-world region in the franchise. However, the newest trailer gave fans a better look at what this new region, called Paldea, has to offer.
Across the trailer are shots of various biomes players can traverse, from sandstorm-covered deserts to snowy tundras. The types of creatures that can be encountered in these places vary to, with some returning Pokemon including Sawsbuck, Gogoat, and Drednaw, among others. It seems there will be a lot to explore in the all-new Paldea region.
9 A Legendary Way To Travel
Of course, it won't be easy for players to navigate some of these environments all on their town. Thankfully, the trailer showcased the brand-new way trainers will traverse these large, expansive areas, though it may not be through ordinary means. Early in players' journeys, they will encounter each game's respective mascot Legendary Pokemon.
Thanks to varying forms of Koraidon and Miraidon, players will utilize these Pokemon as vehicles. They can move quickly across terrain, fly through the air, swim across water, and climb mountains. This will completely change how players interact with the world around them in a more expansive way than the Ride Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
8 The Story Moves At Your Own Pace
It had been previously announced that exploring the Paldea region would not be limited to the linear movement of Scarlet & Violet's story. However, this trailer reveals there's even more to this concept than meets the eye. Throughout the game, players get to experience three completely separate stories that they make progress through at their own leisure.
One of these stories, for instance, will involve the classic Pokemon formula of challenging eight different Gym Leaders and becoming the Paldea region Champion. The other two's details, however, have yet to be revealed. What we do know is that you won't be confined to one or the other; you can freely jump back and forth between each of these narratives.
7 The Pokemon Academy's Treasure Hunt
Players will begin their adventure in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet by enrolling in an academy for Pokemon trainers: Naranja Academy in Scarlet and Uva Academy in Violet. In the academy, players will encounter a few of the characters they'll get to know throughout their journey. They'll also be given a special assignment: the Treasure Hunt.
It's unclear what the Treasure Hunt entails specifically, but the trailer seems to imply it will be an independent study project that encourages players to explore the Paldea region. This means that the Treasure Hunt will also likely encourage co-op playing with up to three other players, which has been confirmed in a previous trailer.
6 Character Customization Returns
The return of character customization is quite an expected return from previous games. The feature was introduced in Pokemon X & Y, allowing players to change their clothing to differentiate themselves from others. With co-op being a new feature of Scarlet & Violet, character customization now becomes a significant way to make your player unique.
According to an official press release, in Scarlet & Violet, players will be able to customize their characters with even more specific details than before. Players can adjust eye shape, hairstyle, and select from a variety of different outfits and Academy uniforms. Exploring the region will be about more than just finding new Pokemon, but also finding new styles.
5 Terastallized Pokemon
Speaking of new styles, a new gameplay mechanic was introduced that will vary up battles extremely. This generation's gimmick replaces previous mechanics like Mega Evolution and Dynamaxing, and it's called the Terastal phenomenon. Terastallizing Pokemon mid-battle will give Pokemon a crystallized appearance, but it does much more than that.
A Pokemon's Tera Type, when activated, will become the Pokemon's primary type in battle. This can enhance a Pokemon's existing type (for example, a Quaxly with Water Tera Type), or vary up a Pokemons' typing (like an Eevee with a Flying Tera Type). Mixing and matching Pokemon with Tera Types will surely be a huge part of Gen 9's metagame.
4 A Unique Tera Type For Early Buyers
If players purchase Pokemon Scarlet & Violet early, they'll be able to take advantage of Terastallizing with a very special bonus. Up until February 28, 2023, players can access a Mystery Gift Pikachu with some special characteristics. This special Pikachu will not only have access to the move Fly, but it will also have a Flying Tera Type.
This Mystery Gift Pikachu is a small taste of how powerful the Terastal phenomenon can be. Normally, the Electric-type Pikachu is susceptible to Ground-type attacks, but through the use of its Tera Type, Pikachu will become immune to these attacks. One can expect this Mystery Gift Pikachu and others like it will become mainstays of future VGC teams.
3 Wooper Looks A Little Different...
The newest trailer also gave fans a glimpse at the first officially-revealed regional variant of the Paldea region. Paldean Wooper looks very different from its original Johto form, with brown and purple coloring. This Wooper is more commonly found in muddy areas, and its unique Poison/Ground typing is only shared by Nidoking and Nidoqueen.
Paldean Wooper even keeps one of the original Wooper's best Abilities, Water Absorb, which turns Water attacks into HP recovery. This is especially use for a Ground-type like Wooper, who can now take advantage from attacks that would otherwise damage it. It also has access to the Ability Poison Point, which poisons any foe that makes contact with it.
2 New Pokemon To Catch
It wouldn't be a new Pokemon game trailer without giving players a look at some brand-new Pokemon they'll encounter on their journey. This time, players got to be introduced to two new species of Pokemon. One of them is the adorable Fairy-type Fidough, a bread-like puppy whose yeasty breath is helpful with cooking.
The other slightly-more menacing Pokemon is Cetitan, an Ice-type Terra Whale, covered in several horns around its body. Its Ability, Slush Rush, increases its Speed stat while in a hailstorm, meaning Cetitan could be quite a threat competitively if its Speed can compliment some decent defensive stats, or even just powerful Attack or Special Attack.
1 Characters To Meet Along The Way
There will be plenty of new characters for players to encounter across the Paldea region. Previously, trailers revealed looks at Professors Sada and Turo, who are exclusive to Scarlet and Violet, respectively, as well as traveling companion Nemona. This trailer, there are plenty more characters for fans to fall in love with during their journeys.
At the respective Naranja and Uva Academies, players will encounter Academy Director Clavell, as well as their homeroom teacher Jacq, who specializes in Pokemon biology. There's Arven, an upperclassmen whose expertise lies in cooking rather than Pokemon battles, and Penny, a shy girl in your class. Finally, there were glimpses at many of the new Gym Leaders, including the Ice-type specialist Grusha.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet will release for Nintendo Switch on November 18, 2022.