Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release date, trailer, pre-order and starters

What is the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release date? The new Pokémon games are confirmed to be launching later this year, and you can find all the news, trailers and pre-order information here.

The Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release date will mark the arrival of the next proper games in the Pokémon series, and the first ‘Gen 9’ Pokémon games.

While Pokémon Legend: Arceus, which was released earlier this year, was considered a spin-off from the main series, Scarlet and Violet are very much the next ‘major’ Pokémon game instalments, the last of which were 2019’s Pokémon Sword and Shield.

The game will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch, and is one of the most anticipated Switch games this year, so here’s all the information we have on it so far.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release date

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company announced that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release date is “Late 2022”.

Although no exact date has yet been given, it appears that the game is being lined up to be Nintendo’s big Christmas game, much like Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu / Eevee were in 2018.

When the exact Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release date is confirmed, we’ll update this article accordingly.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet reveal trailer

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet were originally announced in February 2022, during a Pokémon Presents presentation.

This announcement was accompanied by the first Pokémon Scarlet and Violet trailer, which shows the first gameplay footage.

The trailer shows that Scarlet and Violet will be 3D open-world games and will have the player freely exploring a brand new region.

Pokémon also appear to be freely roaming in this new environment, in a similar way to the recently released Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

You can watch the full Pokémon Scarlet and Violet trailer here:

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet new region

As with previous main games in the Pokémon series, Scarlet and Violet take place in a completely new region.

Neither Nintendo nor The Pokémon Company have revealed the name of this new region yet, but there’s still some information that can be gleaned from the debut trailer, such as its real-world inspiration.

Other Pokémon games have been set in regions that resemble real-world countries. Pokémon X & Y’s Kalos region was inspired by France and even had its own version of the Eiffel Tower. Pokémon Sun & Moon’s Alola region was inspired by Hawaii, and Pokémon Sword & Shield‘s Galar region took inspiration from the UK.

Further reading

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Pokémon fans gather evidence Scarlet and Violet could take place in a Spain-like region

Colour schemes, architecture and maps all point towards the region's inspiration.

Although it hasn’t yet been confirmed, it appears that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are set in a region based on Spain.

Brief glimpses of the game’s map in the trailer show an outline that looks very close to Spain’s, while some of the game’s buildings are reminiscent of Spanish landmarks. The trailer also shows a shot of a bowl of grapes, the national fruit of Spain.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starter Pokémon

Every generation of Pokémon begins with new starter Pokémon, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are no different.

Although not much information on the rest of the game has been announced yet, The Pokémon Company has at least revealed the three starter Pokémon for Scarlet and Violet.

The three can be seen in this image:

From left to right, they are:

• Sprigatito, which is a grass-type cat Pokémon
• Fuecoco, which is a fire-type crocodile Pokémon
• Quaxly, which is a water-type duckling Pokémon

It’s not yet been revealed what they will look like when they evolve.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet – pre-order information

A number of retailers are already taking pre-orders for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Here’s a selection of what’s currently on offer:

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet – US pre-orders

• Pokémon Scarlet – Best Buy
• Pokémon Violet – Best Buy
• Pokémon Scarlet – GameStop
• Pokémon Violet – GameStop

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet – UK pre-orders

• Pokémon Scarlet – GAME
• Pokémon Violet – GAME
• Pokémon Scarlet – ShopTo
• Pokémon Violet – ShopTo
• Pokémon Scarlet – Base.com
• Pokémon Violet – Base.com
• Pokémon Scarlet – Gamebyte
• Pokémon Violet – Gamebyte

For more Pokémon Scarlet and Violet news head over to VGC’s game page.