Why you should replay Pokemon Scarlet and Violet in 2026

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November 2025 marked the fourth anniversary of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and despite the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A and its downloadable content, Generation 9 remains a central part of the Pokémon series. This is because it introduced a completely new set of creatures, giving players plenty to explore in the original game and its two major expansions. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet did face criticism and performance issues, leading to negative reviews from some fans. However, even in 2026, there are still many reasons to enjoy or revisit these games.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Features at a Glance

  • A vast open world to explore
  • 400 Pokemon in the Paldean Pokedex
    • Over 100 new species in the base game
  • Over 330 Pokemon in the Kitakami and Blueberry Academy DLC Pokedex, for a total of around 730 unique usable critters
    • 15 new Pokemon species across both DLC
  • A sprawling VGC community with constant events, including Worlds 2026
  • Many missions to complete and items to find
  • Endgame content in the base game and DLC to keep you engaged
  • Multiple online events to get unique Pokemon, like Scarlet and Violet‘s Walking Wake and Iron Leaves
  • Tera Raid battles to play both solo and online
  • One of the best stories in Pokemon games

Why You Should Start a Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Playthrough in 2026

Prepare for Pokemon Gen 10 in 2026

  • Complete Pokemon Scarlet and Violet‘s Pokedex
  • Complete the Kitakami Pokedex
  • Complete the Blueberry Academy Pokedex
  • Transfer Pokemon to Pokemon Home
  • Catch Pokemon you may have missed, like the DLC’s Pecharunt epilogue event or the event-exclusive Walking Wake and Iron Leaves

Okay, so it’s been 30 years since the first Pokemon games, and new generations usually come out every three years. Since Scarlet and Violet released in 2022, everyone’s pretty sure Gen 10 is coming this year! The rumored titles, Pokemon Wind and Wave, are supposedly dropping between October and November. I’m actually replaying Scarlet and Violet now to get hyped and brush up on my skills before the new games come out – definitely a good way to prepare!

Experience Pokemon Scarlet and Violet on Nintendo Switch 2

  • Play with improved graphics
  • Have a richer open world with more Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet compared to the Switch 1
  • Play at 60+ FPS, say goodbye to performance issues

With the launch of the new Nintendo console, a free update was released for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. This update significantly improves the game’s performance on the new console, offering a much smoother experience and letting players enjoy the Paldea region like never before.

Shiny Hunt in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

  • Complete Tera Raid Battles to get Herba Mystica
  • Make shiny sandwiches
  • Get your favorite Pokemon as shinies
  • Try the Masuda method for egg shinies

To get the Shiny Charm in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, you need to catch every Pokemon in the game. While having two consoles and both game versions makes this easier, it’s also possible through trading. Once you have the Charm, combining it with shiny sandwiches drastically increases your chances of finding shiny Pokemon – about 1 in 500! This makes it much easier to find the Pokemon you want and is a great way to build a complete shiny Pokedex.

Okay, so the Shiny Charm is a total game-changer when you’re hunting for those super rare, sparkly Pokemon in eggs. It basically boosts your chances of finding them. And if you breed Pokemon from different language games – that’s the Masuda Method – and also have the Shiny Charm? Forget about it, your odds go way, way up! It’s the best combo for serious shiny hunters like me.

Is Playing Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Worth It in 2026?

Still not sure about revisiting Pokémon Scarlet and Violet? Here’s one more reason: this year is the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, and with the next generation of games likely being released in 9-10 months, we might see special online events added to Scarlet and Violet to celebrate.

Future updates for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet might include things like the release of shiny Rayquaza, special Tera Raid events with unique rewards, or methods for finding shiny versions of Legendary and Mythical Pokemon that are currently unavailable. While not officially confirmed, 2026 is expected to be a significant year for these games, serving as a final celebration before the release of the next generation of Pokemon.

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2026-01-05 01:04