At the forefront of the Pokémon Presents livestream that aired Wednesday, Aug. 3, was a myriad of information allotted on the forthcoming release of the ninth generation of Pokémon games, entitled Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. An included trailer amid the event wrought a host of information, from the inclusion of an all-new battle mechanic to even the setting of a long-theorized Spain and Portugal-inspired Paldea region.
The event itself kicked off with information regarding the Pokémon World Championship, which is bound for London this month between Aug. 18-21. Meanwhile, the upcoming Pokémon Go Fest will take place in Sapporo, Japan, this Saturday, Aug. 6. Several updates to Pokémon Unite, the firm's first multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, will also go into effect today, delivering to players new Pokémon and features, like a special quick battle mode that only allows Pikachu on the field.
But, as one may guess, the crux of the event was situated heavily on announcements regarding Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the next mainline series of games slated for debut on Nov. 18. Of high excitement where the various new Pokémon shown off amid the trailer, such as the cute little puppy named Fidough, a fairy-type Pokémon made entirely of dough, and a bipedal whale Pokémon named Cetitan that is an ice-type.
The Paldea region, like many more recent experiences, will also have several regional variants, as evidenced by the trailer's inclusion of a poison and ground-type Wooper, which the internet has casually renamed "Pooper." Regional variants, or forms, were first introduced in generation seven, putting a natural spin on well-known Pokémon, like the Alolan form of Raichu, which takes on the new typing of psychic beside its base electric-type.
Beyond the new Pokémon and its lovely map, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will also include a new battle mechanic called Terrastallizing. Akin to Dynamaxing from Pokémon Sword and Shield and Mega Evolutions from Pokémon X and Y, Terrastallizing will act as a new in-battle powerup mechanic, wherein a trainer's Pokémon will take on this crystalized form and garner a so-called Tera type, which can either be the base type of a Pokémon or a whole new type entirely.
For instance, players will be able to find Pokémon in the wild that either has their typical type for the Tera type, like Porygon's normal typing. Still, they could also find alternative Pokémon with a whole different Tera type, like a Porygon with a fire type. It's entirely unclear how exactly this works, but thus far, the only known varied Tera type Pokémon are Evee, which can have a normal, grass, or flying Tera type, and Pikachu, which can have either electric or flying. The aforementioned Pikachu will be gifted to players that preorder Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, making it a rather exciting bonus.
The trailer also showed fans how the box legendaries of Koraidon and Miraidon will work as in-game rideable vehicles. Long rumored since their announcement, the legendaries will allow players to traverse across such environments as water and air, as well as even climb mountains and more. This also suggests that both Koraidon and Miraidon will be made available to players relatively early in the game, as opposed to closer to the endgame as experienced in previous Pokémon titles.
With it being the first in the franchise's history to include an open world, one wherein players will not only get to explore in their way but also through the aid of three additional multiplayer friends, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet prove to be among the most anticipated games debuting this year. The anticipation is ever-palpable as the November 18 release date draws near.
