GameFreak and Nintendo reveal Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Veterans and fledging trainers alike, prepare your Pokéballs! GameFreak and Nintendo have announced a brand-new entry into the mainline Pokémon series: Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. In addition to new locations and the various monsters that live there, the trailer also revealed the Gen 9 trio of starter Pokémon to choose from to begin your journey with. Watch it below:

The trailer depicts a new, yet-to-be-named region in the Pokémon universe filled with Pokémon from past installments. One thing you’ll notice right away is that the game is fully rendered with 3D models and landscapes. This is an indication that Pokémon as a franchise is continuing to move on from the 2D pixilated worlds of yesteryear, and even the 3D hybrids of recent installments like Sword and Shield.

I predict the game will largely follow in the footsteps of Pokémon Legends: Arceus; no more Pokémon hiding in grass and grid system layouts. Pokémon is embracing the open world style of game, and it makes perfect sense. The success of Pokémon Legends, as well as other open world installments in popular franchise like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, have shown that Nintendo fans are clamoring for more games like this, and the company seems intent on providing.

Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly are the new trio of starting Pokémon

And of course, we have to talk about the latest species of Pokémon to join to ever-expanding Pokédex:

Meet Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly: the grass, fire, and water starters for this new installment (though I’m sure you had no problem guessing that from their colors huh?) As you’d expect from starter Pokémon, they are as cute as buttons, which will make picking between them quite difficult. Personally, I’ve always been quite partial to Grass types and I am something of a cat person. Then again, Quaxly is pretty adorable. As for Fuecoco… listen, not to offend any Fuecoco fans out there, but he looks a bit on the dopey side, doesn’t he? Surely his final form will be much cooler, but for now I concern myself with either cat or duck.

As the trailer reveals, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will be “Releasing Worldwide in Late 2022,” clearly aiming to be out in time for the holiday shopping season. There is sure to be more info drops between then.

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