No—not for ordinary solo play. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is needed for Scarlet and Violet’s online features, including online multiplayer; nearby players can use local wireless instead. Battle Stadium specifically requires a membership.
Which activities need Nintendo Switch Online?
| Activity | Membership needed? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Play alone on one system | No membership is identified as required | Nintendo lists single-system play for both games. The membership requirement applies to online features. |
| Play with nearby people | Local wireless is listed separately from online play | Local wireless supports two to four players. Each player needs a system and a copy of the game. |
| Trade, battle, explore, or join Tera Raid Battles online | Yes | Nintendo requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account for online features. You also need internet access. |
| Battle Stadium | Yes | Nintendo Support explicitly requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership for this mode. |
| Back up Pokémon Scarlet save data to Nintendo’s cloud | Not available | Scarlet does not support Save Data Cloud backup, even though cloud saves are a general membership benefit for compatible games. |
Nintendo’s product pages list local wireless separately from internet play: local wireless supports two to four players, while online play supports one to four. See the Pokémon Scarlet product page and Pokémon Violet product page. Nintendo’s launch announcement also describes playing with three other friends locally or online.
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Nearby play and online play are different
Local wireless is for players who are physically near one another. Nintendo’s multiplayer guide distinguishes that from internet communication, which is for people playing remotely or joining over the internet. You do not need to treat local wireless as online play simply because it involves multiplayer.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteFor internet play, Nintendo says a Nintendo Switch Online membership and Nintendo Account are required, and you need an internet connection. The cited game pages establish the membership requirement for online features; they do not establish that a more expensive Expansion Pack tier is necessary.
#1 Best Overall
- New Pokémon to Discover - Learn new details about Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly—the three Pokémon from which you’ll choose your first partner—along with other wonderful new Pokémon, including the Legendary Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon!
- The World of Pokémon Has Evolved - Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet offer an open-world experience that only the Pokémon series can deliver—one welcoming even to newcomers to the series.
- You can experience a new style of adventure, with a world that you’re free to explore at your leisure and not in an order dictated by the story. You will, of course, journey to hone your skills as a Pokémon Trainer, but many more discoveries and stories await you. Meet a variety of people and Pokémon, and adventure in the world of Pokémon the way you want to.
- A Deeper Experience with Multiplayer* Gameplay - Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet allow multiplayer gameplay with up to four players. Along with series staples, such as trading and battling Pokémon, you will be able to explore the various locations of the region in these games with other players. You can discover new Pokémon and explore unfamiliar areas with your friends and family, opening the door to an adventure more precious and fun than ever!
- Meet the characters - As one of the main characters, you’ll set off on your adventure. Your outfit will vary depending on whether you play Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. Who knows what kind of story awaits you? For the first time in the series, one of two different professors will appear in your game depending on the version you choose to play.
How to start multiplayer
- Update the game. Nintendo says the software must be updated for internet features and multiplayer setup. The cited update page records an update released June 2, 2025; that date alone does not establish which version is newest today. Check the console for available updates.
- Reach the first Pokémon Center in Los Platos. Poké Portal becomes available after this point in the game.
- Open Poké Portal and choose the communication mode. Select Internet to connect with people remotely, or Local for nearby players.
- Choose the activity. Poké Portal supports activities including trading, battles, exploring together, and Tera Raid Battles. Online activities require the membership and internet access described above.
Nintendo’s full multiplayer setup guide covers the steps and prerequisites. Its setup checklist includes an active membership, but the same guide distinguishes Local from Internet communication; the membership requirement should not be generalized to nearby local-only play.
Does Nintendo Switch Online back up Scarlet save data?
No. Nintendo’s Scarlet product page explicitly says the game does not support Save Data Cloud backup. A membership therefore does not give you a cloud backup of your Scarlet save. See Nintendo’s Scarlet page for that limitation.
Rank #2
- Embark on a new Pokémon adventure
- Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities.
- Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea.
- Embark on an independent study called the Treasure Hunt to gain new experiences, meet new people, and find your very own treasure.
Sources and regional scope
This guidance is based on official US Nintendo product and support pages accessed October 7, 2026. Membership terms or availability can vary by region. Nintendo’s requirements and mode details are the basis for the distinctions above; no gameplay testing is claimed.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Only one code for a Hisuian Zoroark can be used in either the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game. Upon purchase of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, an email with your code will be sent to the email address registered to your Nintendo Account. From the in-game menu, go to the Poké Portal, then select Mystery Gift, select Get with Code/Password, and then enter your code.
- The Mystery Gift option can be found within the Poké Portal menu option in the X menu after you unlock the feature in the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game. (This occurs after about 1 to 1.5 hours of gameplay, though individual gameplay time may vary.) An internet connection and a Nintendo Account is required to redeem the item in game. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required. Each item can only be redeemed once.
Rank #3
- Embark on a new Pokémon adventure
- Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities
- Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea
- Embark on an independent study called the Treasure Hunt to gain new experiences, meet new people, and find your very own treasure
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