Today, The Pokémon Company announced Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, new video games coming to the blockbuster series that first captivated fans with the Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green games 26 years ago. The announcement was made during a special Pokémon Presents video presentation streamed online to fans around the world on Pokémon Day, the annual fan-focused, pop-culture holiday celebrating the launch of the original Pokémon games on February 27, 1996. Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will launch in late 2022 and be available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch system.

“Trainers will once again embark on an epic journey of discovery and exploration,” said Tsunekazu Ishihara, president and CEO of The Pokémon Company. “Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will be an adventure unlike any other, and I cannot wait to share this incredible experience with all of you.”

New updates for the recently released Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus games were also announced in addition to in-game events for Pokémon GO, Pokémon Café ReMix, Pokémon Masters EX, and Pokémon UNITE in celebration of Pokémon’s 26th anniversary. Details about all announcements made today follow:

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet
Developed by GAME FREAK inc., Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet take a new evolutionary step in the Pokémon main series. Trainers can explore an open world where various towns with no borders blend seamlessly into the wilderness. Pokémon can be seen everywhere in this wide-open world—in the skies, in the sea, and on the streets.

As one of the main characters, Trainers will jump into the world of Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet to begin their adventure, where they will have a different outfit depending on which game they are playing. Trainers will then choose either Sprigatito, the Grass Cat Pokémon, Fuecoco, the Fire Croc Pokémon, or Quaxly, the Duckling Pokémon to be their first partner Pokémon before setting off on their journey.

Sprigatito
Category: Grass Cat Pokémon
Height: 1′4″
Weight: 9 lbs.
Type: Grass
Ability: Overgrow
The capricious, attention-seeking Grass Cat Pokémon.

Fuecoco
Category: Fire Croc Pokémon
Height: 1′4″
Weight: 21.6 lbs.
Type: Fire
Ability: Blaze
The laid-back Fire Croc Pokémon that does things at its own pace.

Quaxly
Category: Duckling Pokémon
Height: 1′8″
Weight: 13.4 lbs.
Type: Water
Ability: Torrent
The earnest and tidy Duckling Pokémon.

After their release, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will be able to link with Pokémon HOME, a service that allows Trainers to keep their entire Pokémon collection in one place. By linking these games with Pokémon HOME, Trainers will be able to have Pokémon from other regions adventure alongside them in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.

For more information about Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, please visit Pokemon.co.uk/ScarletViolet.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Daybreak, a software update (Ver. 1.1.0) for the Pokémon Legends: Arceus game, will be available starting today at 7:00 a.m. PST, February 27, 2022. In the Daybreak update, Trainers will begin investigating mysterious mass outbreaks of Pokémon that are popping up all over the Hisui region. Players will also have a chance to battle powerful opponents—like Legendary Pokémon and wardens—adding yet more options to the Pokémon battle experience.

In celebration of Pokémon Day, Trainers can also receive items that will help them on their adventure in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. They can receive these items by entering the password ARCEUSADVENTURE in the Mystery Gifts menu in their game before 7:59 a.m. PST on Thursday, March 31, 2022.​ This gift includes 30 Ultra Balls, 30 Gigaton Balls, and 30 Jet Balls.​

The production of an online animated series set in the Hisui region has also begun. This series will feature an original story line and is anticipated to launch later in 2022.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus brings Trainers to the vast Sinnoh region as it existed in the past, long before the setting for Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl was established. For more information about Pokémon Legends: Arceus, please visit Pokemon.co.uk/LegendsArceus.

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl
An item called Oak’s Letter will be distributed in the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl games starting today, February 27, 2022. Trainers can receive Oak’s Letter by choosing Get via Internet from the Mystery Gift menu in the game. Once a Trainer receives Oak’s Letter, they can talk to Professor Oak on Route 224. He will then ask for their cooperation regarding a stone tablet like one found in the Kanto region. As the Trainer assists Professor Oak, the Mythical Pokémon Shaymin will appear. Trainers can follow it and try to add it to their team. Shaymin is the Gratitude Pokémon and is able to change into its Sky Forme using the Gracidea item.

Pokémon Day 2022 In-Game Events
In celebration of 26 years of Pokémon, several events will take place in current games across the franchise.

• Pokémon that first appeared in the Alola region, the setting of the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon games, will be appearing in the world of Pokémon GO beginning 10:00 a.m. local time on March 1, 2022. Until then, it seems that Alolan Form Exeggutor will be appearing.
  
• There is currently an ongoing event in Pokémon Masters EX celebrating 2.5 years since the game’s release.​ During the event, players can immediately receive 3,000 gems, as well as the chance to scout 10 sync pairs each day for 10 days at no cost.​ Additionally, Trainers May, Skyla, and Raihan will appear in special outfits as part of the 2.5-year celebration.​
  
• In the Pokémon Café ReMix game, there are currently three events Trainers can participate in to celebrate Pokémon Day.​ The events are as follows:
  - Log-in bonus of a celebratory crown outfit for Bulbasaur (available until Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 9:59 p.m. PST)
  - A four-day period of an increased chance of Shiny Piplup appearing (until Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 9:59 p.m. PST)
  - The opportunity to use the new delivery feature 11 times at no cost (until Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 9:59 p.m. PST)
  
• In Pokémon UNITE, an ongoing event to celebrate Pokémon Day is currently under way. For the first time in the game, Trainers can immediately try out the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa and earn its Unite license.​ Players can enjoy a Pokémon Day log-in event from now until March 14, 2022 to receive a Pokémon Day hat and t-shirt in-game. Starting today, Trainers can experience full-fury battles, a new type of quick battle in Pokémon UNITE. An exciting reveal was also made, introducing Duraludon as the next Pokémon coming to the game in the future.

We wish to be sensitive to major world events happening at this time and those impacted. A pre-scheduled Pokémon Presents was unable to be postponed. Out of respect to our global audiences, we decided to significantly reduce the promotion of the event while giving fans the option to tune if they chose to do so.