Nintendo releases high-resolution images of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet on Switch 2

The Nintendo Switch 2 was launched on June 5, and with it came free updates for more than ten games from the Switch's original library. Two of them are Pokémon Scarlet and famous Pokémon™ Violetwith the updates for the new console looking incredibly sharp.

Nintendo's official website says that the free updates for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet include visuals optimized for the Nintendo Switch 2 screen and high-resolution TVs for better image quality, improved frame rate for smoother movements and variable refresh rate (VRR) technology for more fluid movements, even in high-intensity games.

As seen in some new gameplay images, it looks like the overall experience will be much more dynamic. Previously, a single screenshot was published on Nintendo's blog, and the company mentioned that players would be able to see Pokémon from further away.

In fact, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet on Nintendo Switch 2 run in 4K at 60 FPS, meaning that everything is beautiful. No pixelated, jagged edges on blades of grass, or even on Pokémon. The Switch 2 updates have also increased the number of Pokémon that can appear on screen from a greater distance.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the game

The Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet games were released in 2022 for the Nintendo Switch. A classic adventure in the franchise, which is also available on Switch 2, thanks to the free update that optimized the game's performance and graphics quality. This dual gameplay allows you to explore the Paldea region thanks to the open world system, to capture all the 9th generation Pokémon.

If there was one thing that characterized the Pokémon games throughout their different editions, it was that their stories followed a predetermined path, resulting in a game with fairly linear progress, despite having some open locations or being able to constantly return to different places. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet this changes completely by implementing an open world, in which the player can complete the different missions in any order they like, thus creating their own story throughout the Paldea region.

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are set in the Paldea region of the Pokémon universe, loosely based on the Iberian Peninsula. The place has diverse landscapes, including lakes, wastelands and mountain ranges. There is also a large crater, called the Great Crater of Paldea, in the center of the region. Inside the Crater is an area called Area Zero.

In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you are a transfer student to the local Pokémon Academy and, during the annual Treasure Hunt, you find yourself embarking on three adventures: Victory Road, Path of Legends and Starfall Street. Thanks to the open-world nature of this video game, you are free to tackle these stories, along with many of the activities within them, in any order you like.

History of Pokémon Scarlet/Violet

The player character, who recently arrived in the Paldea region with his mother, now lives in the small town of Cabo Poco and is preparing to start his studies at the Naranja (Scarlet) Academy or the Uva (Violet) Academy in the region's largest city, Mesagoza.

The head of the academy, Clavell, gives the player the choice of one of the first three partner Pokémon and introduces him to his neighbor and head of the academy's student council, Nemona. Despite being a Champion-level Trainer, Nemona also takes one of the first partner Pokémon under her care to train a new team together with the player.

While exploring the Poco Path, the player encounters a weak Koraidon or Miraidon, which saves him from a pack of angry Houndour. A student at the academy called Arven identifies the Pokémon and gives the player his Poké Ball.

While the player and Nemona are on their way to Mesagoza, she introduces them to the Terastal phenomenon and arranges for the player to receive a Tera Orb so that they can also use the phenomenon. In Mesagoza, the player saves a girl called Penny from being harassed by members of Team Star, a group of delinquent academy students accused of bullying.

Principal Clavell initiates the Treasure Hunt, an independent study task in which the academy's students travel around Paldea in search of something they can call their personal treasure. This allows the player to start three different stories, either simultaneously or one by one.

Victory Road

At Nemona's request, the player sets out to challenge the eight Pokémon Gyms around Paldea. Those who collect the eight necessary Gym Badges can take part in the Champion Evaluation at the Pokémon League headquarters and obtain the Champion Rank. After passing an interview test, the player battles and defeats the Elite Four and Geeta, becoming a Champion Trainer. Nemona challenges them to another battle, in which she spares nothing. Defeating her in this battle concludes the story of Victory Road.

Path of Legends

Arven tells the player about the five giant Pokémon known as Titan Pokémon, which he has read about and which reside in various places in Paldea, and asks for the player's help in defeating them and collecting their Herba Mystica, a legendary herb that is said to have incredible health benefits. The Professor then asks the player to visit them in his laboratory in the Great Crater of Paldea, with Arven fighting the player with all his might to test whether they are both ready to face the most dangerous area in the region. Defeating him concludes the Path of Legends.

Starfall Street

An individual calling himself Cassiopeia hacks into the player's Rotom Phone and asks for his help in defeating Team Star in Operation Starfall. The player meets the real Cassiopeia in the schoolyard, who turns out to be Penny. After Penny is defeated, Clavell allows the team to continue operating, provided they turn their bases into Trainer facilities, which they accept. This concludes Starfall Street.

The Way Home

After completing the first three stories, the player, Arven, Nemona and Penny head to Area Zero in the Great Crater of Paldea, in response to the Professor's request, starting the chapter The Way Home. After permanently disconnecting from the time machine, the player and his friends decide to follow a quiet and picturesque route back to Mesagoza, completing The Way Home and the main game.

Post-match
With the player and his friends returning to normal school life, Nemona suggests organizing a battle tournament at the school to celebrate the new Champion status, asking Geeta to take part as she is the president of the academy's school council. After the player finishes the rematches, the tournament called the Academy Ace Tournament is finally held. After beating his opponents, the player officially becomes the strongest Coach in the academy. Clavell declares that the tournament will be held regularly, concluding the post-game story.

Pokémon fans can also look forward to Pokémon Legends: Z-A later this year - and who knows? a good discount. Before a new Pokémon Presents live stream on July 22, The Pokémon Company confirmed that the game will be released for Switch and Switch 2 on October 16.