Are There Ultra Beasts in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Pokémon fans have been waiting for more Ultra Beasts since Gen 7; could they finally reappear in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet? Gen 9 has certainly surprised fans in many ways already, a new Ultra Warp Ride Minigame would hardly seem farfetched at this point. Keep reading to find out whether or not there are Ultra Beasts in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet!

Are There Ultra Beasts in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Once it became clear from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s trailers that Koraidon and Miraidon were meant to be ridden, speculation about a new Ultra Warp Ride Minigame skyrocketed among Pokémon fans. Pokémon Sun and Moon (and Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon) were some of the most popular Pokémon games to date; fans of the franchise have been waiting for more Ultra Beasts since Gen 7, so it made sense for fans to hope for some more Ultra Wormhole action in the new games.

Unfortunately, it does not appear as though there are any traces of an Ultra Warp Ride Minigame or any new (or old) Ultra Beasts in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This will undeniably come as a disappointment for many people (myself included), but despite this, there are many new features in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet that can be considered just as exciting as Ultra Beasts, such as the Paradox Pokémon.

Related: How to Get Hisuian Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet

What Are Paradox Pokémon?

Paradox Pokémon are new types of Pokémon that are only available in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. As you probably already know, Pokémon Scarlet represents the past, while Pokémon Violet represents the future. Paradox Pokémon are Pokémon that exist in both games but are completely different depending on whether they’re from the past or the future.

These Pokémon exist simultaneously in the past, present, and future, which may seem confusing at first, but you’ll understand once you see the Pokémon themselves. A good example of a Paradox Pokémon would be Donphan, which exists in both games in completely different forms. In Pokémon Scarlet, Donphan is known as Great Tusk; it has large, prehistoric tusks that erupt from its plated face, and dinosaur-like spikes protruding from its plated back. In Pokémon Violet, Donphan is known as Iron Treads; it has eyes that appear to be digitalized like Miradion’s and is completely covered in futuristic iron plating.

Some fans have even theorized that the legendaries of these games, Koraidon and Miraidon, are Paradox versions of Cyclizar, with Koraidon being the version from the past and Miraidon being the version from the future. This hasn’t yet been proven, but it is a plausible theory. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet may not have Ultra Beasts, but they do have Paradox Pokémon to make the gameplay more exciting. For more news and information regarding these games (and their unique Pokémon), check out Gamer Journalist’s guides page for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet!