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Choose Pokémon Scarlet for Koraidon, Professor Sada, Naranja Academy, and past-themed Ancient Paradox Pokémon. Choose Pokémon Violet for Miraidon, Professor Turo, Uva Academy, and future-themed Future Paradox Pokémon. Both games share the same broad adventure, but some story details and Pokémon encounters differ. Trading and multiplayer can help you collect Pokémon from the other edition, so your choice mainly comes down to which version’s characters, designs, and exclusives appeal to you.
Scarlet and Violet: the key differences
Nintendo confirms that the academy and wild Pokémon species vary by game. The most visible differences are the Legendary Pokémon that accompanies your journey, the professor and academy, and the version-specific species you can encounter.
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| Difference | Pokémon Scarlet | Pokémon Violet |
|---|---|---|
| Journey Legendary | Koraidon | Miraidon |
| Professor | Professor Sada, with a past-oriented design | Professor Turo, with a future-oriented design |
| Academy | Naranja Academy | Uva Academy |
| Paradox Pokémon theme | Ancient, past-themed Pokémon | Future-themed Pokémon |
| Examples of version-specific Pokémon | Larvitar line, Deino line, Oranguru, Stonjourner, Armarouge, Great Tusk, Flutter Mane, Roaring Moon | Bagon line, Dreepy line, Passimian, Eiscue, Ceruledge, Iron Treads, Iron Hands, Iron Valiant |
Koraidon and Miraidon are not just story mascots: both serve as traversal partners, helping you dash, climb, glide, swim, and jump as you explore. Their looks and the game’s past-versus-future framing are distinct, but the sources do not establish either edition as objectively better.
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These representative examples show the kinds of differences to expect; they are not a complete Pokédex checklist. Serebii maintains extensive version-exclusive reference lists, including evolution lines and DLC entries, but it is a specialist database rather than an official publisher checklist.
#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.
Notable Scarlet exclusives
- Returning Pokémon and evolution lines: Vulpix and Ninetales, Gligar and Gliscor, Larvitar through Tyranitar, Drifloon and Drifblim, Stunky and Skuntank, Deino through Hydreigon, and Skrelp and Dragalge.
- Other examples: Paldean Tauros (Blaze Breed), Cranidos and Rampardos, Oranguru, Cramorant, and Stonjourner.
- Distinctive evolutions and Paradox Pokémon: Armarouge, Great Tusk, Scream Tail, Brute Bonnet, Flutter Mane, Slither Wing, Sandy Shocks, and Roaring Moon.
- Legendary: Koraidon.
Notable Violet exclusives
- Returning Pokémon and evolution lines: Sandshrew and Sandslash, Aipom and Ambipom, Misdreavus and Mismagius, Gulpin and Swalot, Bagon through Salamence, Clauncher and Clawitzer, and Dreepy through Dragapult.
- Other examples: Paldean Tauros (Aqua Breed), Shieldon and Bastiodon, Passimian, Morpeko, and Eiscue.
- Distinctive evolutions and Paradox Pokémon: Ceruledge, Iron Treads, Iron Bundle, Iron Hands, Iron Jugulis, Iron Moth, Iron Thorns, and Iron Valiant.
- Legendary: Miraidon.
For an exhaustive list, consult Serebii’s Scarlet and Violet exclusives reference. Check the relevant game and DLC details if you need to confirm a particular Pokémon’s current in-game availability or encounter method.
How the DLC changes the version differences
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero adds more version distinctions. A post in the official Pokémon community forum identifies Gligar and Cramorant as The Teal Mask examples for Scarlet, and Aipom and Morpeko as examples for Violet. Because that information comes from a community response, not a publisher-maintained checklist, treat it as guidance rather than a complete official inventory.
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- If you purchase either the physical or digital double pack, you will receive a 200 Poké Ball bonus via download codes* that can be entered in the Mystery Gift** feature in your game!
- The packaged version of the double pack includes 1 physical Pokémon Scarlet game and 1 physical Pokémon Violet game
- 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
Serebii’s reference list also includes DLC-associated exclusives such as Walking Wake, Gouging Fire, and Raging Bolt for Scarlet, and Iron Leaves, Iron Boulder, and Iron Crown for Violet. These examples do not constitute a complete DLC checklist or explain every Pokémon’s acquisition route.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsCan you get the other version’s exclusives by trading?
Yes, cooperation can bridge many of the differences. Nintendo says players with different versions can play together, trade, and take part in raid battles. Serebii also notes that some counterpart Pokémon can be accessed through Union Circle or Tera Raid Battles. The exact route depends on the species, so do not assume every exclusive is available through every multiplayer activity.
Rank #3
![Pokémon Scarlet/Pokémon Violet Expansion Pass: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero (Retail Version) Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51n-a8y2QXL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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.
Online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership; Nintendo also notes that internet access and country availability conditions apply. If you have a friend with the other edition, trading is a straightforward way to fill gaps without buying both games.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which edition should you choose?
- Choose Scarlet if Koraidon, Professor Sada, Naranja Academy, Ancient Paradox designs, or its exclusive Pokémon appeal more to you.
- Choose Violet if Miraidon, Professor Turo, Uva Academy, Future Paradox designs, or its exclusive Pokémon appeal more to you.
- Factor in trading if you care about collecting Pokémon from both versions and can play with someone who owns the other edition.
The differences are meaningful for a collection or for players attached to particular characters and designs, but they do not make one edition the universal winner. Pick the version whose signature Pokémon and overall aesthetic you would rather spend the adventure with.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Don the role of a Pokémon Trainer as you travel through Kanto
- Discover a new species of Pokémon with the Pokémon Lets Go series
- Catch Pokémon in the wild using a gentle throwing motion with either a Joy-Con controller or a Poké Ball Plus accessory, which will light up, vibrate, and make sounds to bring your adventure to life
- See the world in style by customizing Pikachu and your Trainer with a selection of outfits
- Connect to Pokémon GO* to transfer caught Kanto-region Pokémon, including Alolan and Shiny forms, as well as the newly discovered Pokémon, Meltan, from that game to this one
Rank #4
![Pokemon Violet [video game]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51daLAuNwcL._SL160_.jpg)
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