Some Pokemon Scarlet and Violet fans are asking for refunds after playing the latest games in the series. Nintendo, Game Freak, and The Pokemon Company first announced Pokemon Scarlet and Violet last February, with many surprised that new Pokemon games were coming so soon after the release of Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Hype has been high for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet ever since, with fans poring over every trailer, image, and piece of information that's come out for the games.
Unfortunately, the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet release has failed to live up to many's expectations. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are the worst-reviewed main series Pokemon games in series history (discounting "third" games like Pokemon Emerald and remakes like Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl), with many critics lambasting the games' performance. Some have blamed the aging Nintendo Switch hardware for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's underwhelming visuals and multitude of technical problems, but others have placed the blame on developer Game Freak.
Regardless of why Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have turned out the way they have, the games are in such a state that some Pokemon fans have decided to ask for refunds. Numerous posts on social media are of Pokemon fans saying that they have either asked for a Pokemon Scarlet and Violet refund or have successfully refunded their purchase of the games. Others still have been sharing clips of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's performance problems, asking people not to buy the games at all in order to send a message to Game Freak and Nintendo about fan expectations for the franchise.
While there are many Pokemon fans who are not happy about Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's graphics and general performance issues, it's worth pointing out that there are also those who are happy with the games. Some fans have praised Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's open world design, whereas others enjoy seeing all the new Pokemon.
Those on the other side of the fence have taken issue with the new Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet as well. There's been plenty of criticism aimed at the new Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, with Pokemon like Flamigo described as "lazy" and the 1,000th Pokemon, Gholdengo, coming under fire as well. Conversely, some of the new Pokemon designs in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have been very well-received, like Lechonk and the Paldea region starters.
It's possible future updates for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will fix its technical issues, and if they do, it's possible public perception of the games will turn around. For now, though, it seems as though Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are two of the most controversial games in the history of the long-running franchise.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are out now, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.