Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release date, UK launch time & legendaries | Radio Times

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more)

As always with a new Pokémon game, there are plenty of new 'Mons to battle and catch, including the new starter Pokémon and ride-able Legendary Pokémon.

There's a lot to look forward to and you can find out everything there is to know about the games below. Read on to discover the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release date, release time, new list of Pokémon, and more.

When is the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release date?

The Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release date is 18th November 2022, developer Game Freak has confirmed.

More like this

On that date, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will release on Nintendo Switch for fans around the globe to enjoy. Until then, you can get ahead of the game by pre-ordering your copy from retailers such as Amazon.

Read more on Pokémon:

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet review roundup - what's the verdict?
Pokémon Scarlet vs Violet - differences explained
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet starter evolutions - how Gen 9 glows up
Lechonk evolution - everything you need to know
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet post-game - what's after the ending?
Paldea Pokédex - full list of creatures to catch
Paldea region explained - what's new about it?
Pokémon natures guide - all you need to know
Pokémon type chart - strengths and weaknesses explained
Legendary Pokémon - the full list
Pokémon Emerald cheats - what you need to know
Best Pokémon gifts - the greatest merch
Pokémon Go Unova Stone guide - what is it?
Pokémon Go friend codes - and how to find them
Pokémon games in order - where to start

What time does Pokémon Scarlet and Violet unlock in the UK?

Here in the UK, the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release time is expected to be midnight GMT on 18th November 2022. This means that you should be able to buy and play the game from the Switch eShop as soon as it becomes available on Friday 18th November.

Can I pre-order Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

Yes, pre-orders have now begun for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, with retailers such as Amazon, GAME and Very getting their UK product pages up nice and early.

In terms of the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet price, the RRP seems to be £49.99 for the standard edition of either game, or you could pay £99.99 for a Double Pack that includes both versions.

Read more on Pokémon:

Pokémon Go friend codes - and how to find them
Pokémon natures guide - all you need to know
Pokémon type chart - strengths and weaknesses explained
Legendary Pokémon - the full list
Pokémon Emerald cheats - what you need to know
Best Pokémon gifts - the greatest merch
Pokémon Go Unova Stone guide - what is it?
Pokémon games in order - where to start

How to watch the Pokémon Presents presentation for Scarlet and Violet

The Pokémon Presents presentation for Scarlet and Violet was streamed online at 2pm BST on Wednesday 3rd August 2022. The presentation lifted the lid on the game even more, and you should be able to watch it back below.

Which platforms and consoles can play Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

In news that should come as a surprise to nobody, you will need to be the proud owner of a Nintendo Switch if you want to play this – that's because Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will be released exclusively on Nintendo Switch consoles, much like every other AAA Pokémon release since that console was launched.

We'd expect the game's luscious landscapes to look particularly good on the new-ish Nintendo Switch OLED, but it'll also work on older Switch models as well as the Switch Lite.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starter Pokémon

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starters.

The Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starter Pokémon will be Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly, all of whom you can see in the official image above.

Which partner Pokémon will you pick in Scarlet and Violet? Between the Grass-type Sprigatito, the Fire-type Fuecoco and the Water-type Quaxly, choosing your starter Pokémon will not be easy this time around! We've got a soft spot for Fuecoco right now, but we might reserve judgement until we see what their final evolutions end up looking like.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Legendaries

The Pokémon Scarlet and Violet legendaries. — The Pokémon Scarlet and Violet legendaries. Game Freak/Nintendo

The Pokémon Scarlet and Violet legendaries are called Koraidon and Miraidon, and you can see both of these cover stars in the image above.

Koraidon is the Scarlet one, if you were wondering, with Miraidon being the Violet alternative. We don't yet know what types they will be, or what their backstory will entail, but we look forward to finding out more.

Players will partner with one of these creatures in their game, even going so far as to ride on the legendary pocket monster as you traverse the open-world region.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet region

The Pokémon Scarlet and Violet region looks lovely. — The Pokémon Scarlet and Violet region looks lovely. Game Freak/Nintendo

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are set in a new region called Paldea. Much like the last couple of regions, Paldea with have its own regional variations on familiar critters (Paldean Wooper has already been revealed, for example).

It has been heavily rumoured that the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet region is inspired by the Mediterranean shores of Spain, but Game Freak is yet to confirm that via official channels.

If the Gen 9 region does end up being the Pokémon equivalent of Spain, it will be interesting to see if there are any references in the game to the other Europe-inspired regions of the franchise (Sword and Shield's Galar region was based on the UK, while X and Y's Kalos region was based on France).

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet gameplay

When the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release date was confirmed, players also got a new look at Pokémon Scarlet and Violet gameplay thanks to the trailer below.

As is standard in Pokémon games, a new gimmick is set to be launched for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and this is one that Game Freak has been working towards for years.

We're talking about the fact that Scarlet and Violet will be fully open world, which is an exciting first for the franchise. Areas are not cut off from each other and you can traverse the landscape from one part of the map to another – with fun things to see and do while you are on your way.

Due to this open-world element, in Scarlet and Violet, you'll be able to tackle the eight traditional gyms in any order that you'd like!

"With these new titles, the Pokémon series takes a new evolutionary step, allowing you to explore freely in a richly expressed open world," is what has officially been said on this front and it is a welcome change.

Fans around the web, inspired by the game's trailer, have latched onto the idea that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet could take place in a region that's inspired by Spain and/or Portugal, but that hasn't been confirmed officially as of right now.

As for battles, it seems that they are being kept in line with how they were in Pokémon Legends Arceus, which should be welcome news to those who have played it.

There will also be a co-op element available for players that want to ride around the Paldea region with their pals, but the exact mechanics of this feature have not been revealed yet.

Here's another new addition: your creatures will be able to transform mid-battle thanks to a new 'Terastalize' process, which gives them a crystalline new look and can even change their type. This is Scarlet and Violet's new alternative to Mega-Evolution or Dynamax forms, it would seem.

Much more will be revealed about Pokémon Scarlet and Violet in the coming months and we will keep updating all the latest developments as soon as we hear them.

Which Pokémon will be in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Pokédex?

We don't know them all yet, but we do know a fair few Pokémon that will be part of the Scarlet and Violet Pokédex. Including the new legendaries and starters that we just discussed, the following creatures have all been confirmed in the game's marketing materials:

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet trailer

Yep, there is indeed a trailer for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. We have included the first announcement trailer for your visual pleasure below. While you wait for the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet release date on 18th November, take a look at this.

Pokémon fan? Don't miss our guide to the best Pokémon gifts.

Hungry for more gaming? Visit our video game release schedule, or swing by our hubs for more Gaming and Technology news. Looking for a great deal? Head to our Cyber Monday UK live blog.

Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide.

The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times View From My Sofa podcast.