Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Which Version Should You Buy?

Since the very first generation of Pokemon games, the standard two versions have had a variety of differences from one another. These differences include more apparent things like exclusive Pokemon, as well as more subtle choices like color palettes. While both Pokemon Scarlet and Violet provide the same approximate experience, the little differences will determine which one you get. So, which version should you buy, Pokemon Scarlet or Violet?

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Which Version Should You Buy?

Generally speaking, there are three points of difference between any two versions of a Pokemon game, Scarlet and Violet included. These differences include:

• Exclusive Pokemon
• NPCs
• Color theming

Exclusive Pokemon

Both versions of the game have their own exclusive Pokemon that can’t be found in the other version. This is meant to encourage connection and trading with other players. If you wanna catch ’em all, you gotta socialize!

Related: Are There Cars in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?

At the time of writing, the following Pokemon have been confirmed to be exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet:

• Koraidon (Mascot Legendary)
• Armarouge (New Pokemon)
• Stonjourner
• Larvitar, Pupitar, Tyranitar

Meanwhile, the following Pokemon have been confirmed to be exclusive to Pokemon Violet:

• Miraidon (Mascot Legendary)
• Ceruledge (New Pokemon)
• Eiscue
• Bagon, Shellgon, Salamence

Besides using them in battle, you’ll also ride around on your version’s respective Mascot Legendary. Both Koraidon and Miraidon have the same capabilities, able to move on land, water, and air, albeit in different styles.

NPCs

While this doesn’t always happen, some Pokemon games will utilize different NPCs like Gym Leaders and villain team leaders between versions. If there’s a particular Gym Leader you want to fight, for instance, you need to get the version they appear in.

Related: Does Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Have Side Quests? Answered

At the time of writing, most of the major NPCs seem to be shared between both versions of the game. The lone exception to this is the Pokemon Professor assisting you in your journey. In Scarlet, your Professor is Professor Sada, while in Violet, your Professor is Professor Turo. This particular difference is mostly cosmetic, so just pick the version that has the Professor you like best.

Color Theming

The very first Pokemon games rendered the majority of the overworld in shades of Red or Blue depending on the version you were playing. While Scarlet and Violet are obviously more advanced than Game Boy graphics, there is still some color-theming to be aware of.

Depending on the version you’re playing, your character will be enrolled in a different Pokemon academy. Scarlet has you in the orange-colored Naranja Academy, while Violet has you in the purple-colored Uva Academy. With these academies also come different base character uniforms, orange for Scarlet and purple for Violet. You can buy new clothes and change your appearance later in the game, so this is mostly just an introductory distinction.

Which Should You Pick?

So, with all that established, which version should you buy? For the most part, it’s up to your own sensibilities. I, personally, will be getting Violet, both because I like shades of blue and purple better than red and orange and because I think Miraidon is a cooler legendary than Koraidon. Miraidon actually transforms to move on different terrain; Koraidon just walks. A transforming bike dragon is cooler than a regular dragon, I don’t think anyone will fight me on that.

While there are version-exclusive Pokemon to consider, both versions will likely have a good blend of Pokemon from across the National Dex, so even if you can’t find your favorite in one version’s Dex, you’re likely to find a good substitute in the other’s. And even then, assuming you have Switch Online, it should be fairly easy to track down Pokemon from the opposite Dex that you can trade for.

Basically, just pick the version that looks cooler to you. This ain’t the 90s; you don’t need a link cable anymore to catch ’em all.