These are the games any self-proclaimed Pokemon enthusiast should experience, but not right now, given the current circumstances. Here’s hoping for a time when I can wholeheartedly recommend them without reservation; I eagerly await that day.
Initially, when I critically assessed “Pokemon Scarlet and Violet” in 2022, I felt a mixture of disappointment and fascination; ever since then, I’ve been convinced that the finest game within the entire series lay hidden within them. Despite this belief, the unforgivable technical issues on the original Nintendo Switch combined with bugs made for one of the most shameful AAA game releases in history. Nevertheless, despite this embarrassment, I still harbored a sliver of hope that someday, these same titles could be improved and become worthy of a strong recommendation.
In simpler terms, I’ve already reviewed Pokemon Scarlet and Violet when they first came out three years ago, so discussing what the new Nintendo Switch 2 versions offer doesn’t bring anything significantly new to the table beyond improved visuals and smoother performance. If you were like me, you too might have envisioned a more polished experience for these games. Despite their ambition, there was always room for improvement, especially with better hardware. The Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade delivers what you’d expect from a new generation – goodbye to the 720p resolution and frequent 20 FPS in handheld mode; hello to 1080p resolution and (mostly) stable 60FPS. Some textures have been slightly enhanced, draw distance adjusted, Pokemon spawn more frequently, and load times are significantly reduced across the board.
In simpler terms, I didn’t anticipate significant improvements when games ran on more powerful hardware. I was prepared for a smoother 30 frames per second and perhaps the resolution in docked mode appearing in handheld mode. I didn’t expect any major changes in gameplay or performance enhancements while the system was docked, knowing that the same company responsible for the original game release would decide on the upgrades we’d receive.
As a gamer rocking my brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 and the fresh copies of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, let me tell you, this update is no small feat! While it’s important to acknowledge that the game on the original Nintendo Switch still has its fair share of issues, the updated version for the Switch 2 is a game-changer.
The visual upgrade in both docked and handheld modes is commendable, but I must admit, the original game struggled on the hardware, and even with this update, it’s hard for me to call it visually stunning. The underlying game, filled with compromises to run on the original Switch, remains unchanged.
The launch of the game on the original console will forever be a part of its history, and nothing about this release addresses or rectifies the issues players have already encountered. But hey, let’s focus on the improvements and enjoy the new experience!
Three years ago, I predicted that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet could become the finest games in the series. Although I wished they had arrived sooner, now that they are here and I can endorse them, I am eager to extol their virtues. For Nintendo Switch 2 owners, forget about Mario Kart: World; Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are the standout games that truly showcase the capabilities of this impressive new system. Whether you’ve been eagerly anticipating your journey in Paldea or returning for more, I couldn’t be more delighted to see these games realizing their full potential at last.
9
Versions tested: Nintendo Switch 2
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2025-06-11 02:26