Pokémon Scarlet and Violet — Review (2026): Is It Worth Playing?
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are JRPGs from Game Freak, released in November 2022 on Nintendo Switch. The first open-world Pokémon games, where players freely explore the Paldea region and collect Pokémon. The games introduce the ninth generation of Pokémon with the new Terastallization mechanic.
What is the game about
You are a student at Naranja Academy (Scarlet) or Uva Academy (Violet), embarking on a journey across Paldea. Unlike previous entries, you can explore the world in any order — defeat gym trainers, defeat Team Star bosses, or follow the story about ancient Pokémon. Along the way you collect Pokémon, train them, and participate in battles.
Gameplay
- Open world: explore Paldea in any order — gyms and events scale to your level.
- Terastallization: a new mechanic changes a Pokémon's type to crystal for boosting.
- Co-op for up to 4 players: explore the world and catch Pokémon together.
- 400+ Pokémon: including new ninth-generation ones.
- DLC The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk: new regions and Pokémon.
Should you play it in 2026
Yes, but with caveats. Pokémon Scarlet/Violet is an ambitious attempt at an open world, but the game suffers from technical issues — low FPS, graphical artifacts. However, the gameplay is classic Pokémon and very engaging. If you're a series fan, you can play, but wait for patches or use an emulator for better performance.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Open world | Technical issues (low FPS) |
| Classic Pokémon gameplay | Outdated graphics |
| Lots of content with DLC | Microtransactions in DLC |
FAQ
Which to choose — Scarlet or Violet? Different exclusive Pokémon and professors, otherwise identical.
How many hours? 25–35 hours main story, 50+ with side content.
On other platforms? No, only Nintendo Switch.