You’d think we have learned all there was to know about Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet by now, considering the amount of information divulged over the last few months. Alas, that is not the case! Today, The Pokémon Company brought us news about the game’s “Treasure Hunt,” a Let’s Go! feature (Auto Battles), and three new Pokémon (one per game, and one in both). Oh, and at the same time Nintendo dropped news about a special edition OLED Switch, so I’ll write a little about that too.
Let’s start the the Treasure Hunt. The Treasure Hint is a special independent study project from school, with the goal simply being to explore the world and seek out treasure. Three stories will be woven in to the main adventure. There’s Victory Road, where trainers will go to eight Gyms in different locations to achieve Champion Rank. Then there’s Path of Legends, where trainers join Arven to search for rare ingredients. Finally, there is Starfall Street, where trainers challenge a group of delinquents known as Team Star.
Let’s Go! is described as “a handy feature” for exploring the Paldea region. Trainers can have one Pokémon out and walking with them outdoors; when this occurs, they can use the Let’s Go! feature. It sends the Pokémon in the direction they indicate. The Pokémon will pick up items in the area and have Auto Battles with nearby Pokémon. When its engaged in battle, the trainer can either stay and watch or explore for items nearby. Pokémon can earn items and Exp. Points in these Auto Battles.
Three new Pokémon were revealed: Armarouge (Pokémon Scarlet), Ceruledge (Pokémon Violet), and Klawf (to appear in both games). Armarouge is a Fire Warrior Pokémon with the ability of Flash Fire. Ceruledge is a Fire Blades Pokémon with the same Flash Fire ability. Klawf is an Ambush Pokémon with the abilities of Anger Shell and Shell Armour.
Finally, I get to the console! The Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Edition Nintendo Switch is an OLED model with fancy colours – scarlet and violet, colour me shocked – and decals. The games’ Legendary Pokémon are featured on the front of the system’s white dock, with a Poké Ball on the back. The back of the system itself features special illustrations of the start Pokémon. The Joy-Con controllers match the games’ titles and features the emblem from each title’s school.
The Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Edition Nintendo Switch will be released on November 4 and cost US$359.99 (I haven’t seen any AU/NZ pricing yet). Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will be released on November 18.
