Gamer Guides

Pokémon Scarlet & Violet differences: Which one should you choose?

With the release of both The Teal Mask and The Indigo Disk DLC, all content for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet is now finalised. If you're contemplating purchasing the latest generation of Pokémon games for the Nintendo Switch, you probably have one burning question: which version should you choose? Your decision goes beyond just the Legendary Pokémon featured on the cover. Here are all the version differences between Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.

Published on: 30-01-2024

Maybe you always decide on which version to get based on which cover you like more. Pokémon Scarlet has the red dragon Koraidon as its poster Pokémon, while Pokémon Scarlet boasts the cybernetic dragon Miraidon on its cover. You might have a strong preference for one of them, but it is worth it to look beyond these Legendary Pokémon as Scarlet and Violet promise very different experiences.

Key art for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, showing Miraidon on the left and Koraidon on the right

The key difference between Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet is that Scarlet focuses on the past and Pokémon Violet focuses on the future. This is reflected not only in the Legendary Pokémon that both versions represent, but also in the game’s motifs and themes, as well as the Pokémon you can catch.

The main differences between Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are reflected in:

We’ll cover these areas in the following sections.

Legendary Pokémon: Koraidon vs Miraidon

The most obvious difference between both versions is the Legendary Pokémon that you'll be able to catch. For Pokémon Scarlet, this is Koraidon and in Pokémon Violet it is Miraidon. Contrary to previous Pokémon games, you receive the Legendary Pokémon relatively early in your journey, as you'll need it to traverse the Paldea region. Both Legendary Pokémon can turn into different forms of transportation, allowing you to speed across the land, fly through the air and swim across bodies of water.

The two Legendary Pokémon side by side

Koraidon is a Fighting and Dragon Type, while Miraidon is an Electric and Dragon Type. If you are planning on keeping your Legendary Pokémon in your party, you might want to consider these typings when deciding between Scarlet and Violet.

Most players will probably base their decisions on looks, and in that case it’s worthwhile to consider all the different forms of Koraidon and Miraidon.

Ride Form

The most obvious difference between Koraidon and Miraidon when in this form, is the fact that Koraidon actually uses its legs in its “Sprinting Build” form, while Miraidon uses wheels in its “Drive Mode” form.

On the left: Koraidon running through the grass with his trainer on his back, on the right: a Pokemon trainer riding Miraidon like a bike

Swim Form

Koraidon’s “Swimming Build” has him puff up its throat to stay afloat, while it uses its legs to swim across the water. Meanwhile, Miraidon’s “Aquatic Mode” once again looks a bit more futuristic, as it seems to propel itself through the water using its wheels.

On the left: Koraidon swimming using his arms and legs, on the right: Miraidon hovering through the water. Both are carrying their trainer on their backs.

Fly Form

In Pokémon Scarlet, Koraidon spreads its wings to glide across the sky in its “Gliding Build”, while in Pokémon Violet, Miraidon utilises its antennae to soar through the sky in its “Glide Mode”.

Four screenshots showing the front and back view of Miraidon and Koraidon soaring through the sky

Paradox Pokémon you can catch

As illustrated by the Legendary mascots, Pokémon Scarlet is themed around the past, and Pokémon Violet around the future. Depending on the game you choose, you’ll encounter either prehistoric or futuristic versions of Pokémon known as Paradox Pokémon!

These Paradox Pokémon are associated with the Scarlet Book and Violet Book, items exclusive to their respective versions of the game. These books contain sketches and notes from Pokémon expeditions taken long ago

Official artwork of the Scarlet Book and Violet Book on a red and purple background. The books look ancient and thick, with ancient writing on them

You can encounter and catch the Pokémon detailed in the Scarlet Book and Violet Book, but these Pokémon are all exclusive to their respective versions.

All Pokémon featured in the Scarlet Book exhibit prehistoric motifs, whereas those in the Violet Book boast a more robotic and futuristic appearance.

These are the version exclusive Paradox Pokémon in Scarlet & Violet:

Exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet Exclusive to Pokémon Violet

Great Tusk

Great Tusk

Iron Treads

Iron Treads

Scream Tail

Scream Tail

Iron Bundle

Iron Bundle

Brute Bonnet

Brute Bonnet

Iron Hands

Iron Hands

Flutter Mane

Flutter Mane

Iron Jugulis

Iron Jugulis

Slither Wing

Slither Wing

Iron Moth

Iron Moth

Sandy Shocks

Sandy Shocks

Iron Thorns

Iron Thorns

Roaring Moon

Roaring Moon

Iron Valiant

Iron Valiant

Walking Wake

Walking Wake

Iron Leaves

Iron Leaves

The Indigo Disk DLC

Exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet Exclusive to Pokémon Violet

Gouging Fire

Gouging Fire

Iron Boulder

Iron Boulder

Raging Bolt

Raging Bolt

Iron Crown

Iron Crown

Pokémon you encounter

In addition to the Legendary Pokémon and the Paradox Pokémon, there are also other Pokémon that are exclusive to their version. The only way to obtain the Pokémon from the other version is by trading online or with a local player.

These are the version exclusive Pokémon in Scarlet & Violet:

Exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet Exclusive to Pokémon Violet

Paldean Tauros (Fire)

Paldean Tauros (Fire)

Paldean Tauros (Water)

Paldean Tauros (Water)

Stunky

Stunky

Gulpin

Gulpin

Skuntank

Skuntank

Swalot

Swalot

Drifloon

Drifloon

Misdreavus

Misdreavus

Drifblim

Drifblim

Mismagius

Mismagius

Larvitar

Larvitar

Bagon

Bagon

Pupitar

Pupitar

Shelgon

Shelgon

Tyranitar

Tyranitar

Salamence

Salamence

Deino

Deino

Dreepy

Dreepy

Zweilous

Zweilous

Drakloak

Drakloak

Hydreigon

Hydreigon

Dragapult

Dragapult

Skrelp

Skrelp

Clauncher

Clauncher

Dragalge

Dragalge

Clawitzer

Clawitzer

Oranguru

Oranguru

Passimian

Passimian

Stonjourner

Stonjourner

Eiscue

Eiscue

Armarouge

Armarouge

Ceruledge

Ceruledge

The Teal Mask DLC

Exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet Exclusive to Pokémon Violet

Gligar

Gligar

Aipom

Aipom

Gliscor

Gliscor

Ambipom

Ambipom

Cramorant

Cramorant

Morpeko

Morpeko

The Indigo Disk DLC

Exclusive to Pokémon Scarlet Exclusive to Pokémon Violet

Alolan Vuplix

Alolan Vulpix

Alolan Sandshrew

Alolan Sandshrew

Alolan Ninetales

Alolan Ninetales

Alolan Sandslash

Alolan Sandslash

Cranidos

Cranidos

Shieldon

Shieldon

Rampardos

Rampardos

Bastiodon

Bastiodon

The characters you meet

Aside from the different Pokémon you’ll encounter, you’ll also meet different characters in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet. For the first time in the series, you’ll meet a different professor at the beginning of the game, depending on which version you pick.

Professor Sada and Professor Turo side by side. Sada wears an orange dress with cavemen like ruffles and ornaments, while Turo wears a skintight suit under his labcoat

In Pokémon Scarlet, you’ll be guided by Professor Sada, who is themed around the past. In Pokémon Violet, you’ll meet Professor Turo, who is themed around the future. Both professors are carrying out research into lore that is passed down in the Paldea region, however each of them specialises in specific areas relating to the theme of the version they appear in.

The school you attend

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have you attend a prestigious school in the Paldea region where you study Pokémon (what else). This is where the differences between Scarlet and Violet become a bit more superficial, as most of the differences are colour-based.

The two emblems of Naranja Academy and Uva Academy side by side.

If you choose Pokémon Scarlet, the name of the school you attend is Naranja Academy (Naranja is Spanish for “orange”), and if you choose Pokémon Violet, you attend Uva Academy (“grape”). Naturally, Naranja Academy boasts an orange colour scheme with the titular fruit as its emblem, while Uva Academy is embellished with a purple emblem depicting grapes.

Your character will also wear similarly coloured school uniforms (more on that in the next section) and the same goes for the professors and director of your chosen academy.

The Director of the school in his orange outfit and purple outfit, side by side

The clothing you wear

As an official student of Naranja Academy or Uva Academy, you are expected to dress appropriately for school, and that means wearing school uniforms! Unfortunately for real fashionistas, the fashion options in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are a bit limited, especially in the beginning of the game. As you progress through the storyline, you'll unlock more clothing and customization options.

Almost all clothing items that can be unlocked are the same in both games. However, the standard school uniforms you receive at the start of the game differ. This distinction lies mainly in the colors of the uniforms. In Pokémon Scarlet, your character wears a blue hat, an orange tie, orange striped shorts, black shoes, and a matching backpack. In Pokémon Violet, the hat is white, while the tie and shorts are purple, accompanied by black socks, brown shoes, and a backpack to match.

The player character shown in both their orange and blue uniforms

This same color difference is also apparent in the New Uniform Set, which automatically unlocks when purchasing the Hidden Treasures of Area Zero DLC. The uniforms featured in this special set are primarily orange in Scarlet and purple in Violet.

The player character shown in both the orange and purple iterations of the New Uniform Set

So, if you care about the looks of your character and have a specific preference (or aversion) to the color orange or blue, you might want to reconsider your choice!

Which version should you choose?

Ultimately, your choice between Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet will depend on these three things:

  • Whether you like Koraidon or Miraidon more
  • If you prefer prehistoric or futuristic Pokémon designs
  • What colour you like best between orange and blue

You'll be spending a lot of time with either Koraidon or Miraidon, so this would be the most important deciding factor. After that, look at the designs of the Paradox Pokémon and decide whether you like the ancient versions of Pokémon more or the futuristic ones. And finally, ask yourself the question: orange or blue?

Don’t worry too much about the Pokémon that are exclusive to each version, as trading Pokémon has never been easier and tons of version exclusive Pokémon are still available via online Tera Raid Battles. Just don’t forget that you'll need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play, trade and raid online with other players!

Get Pokémon Scarlet & Violet + The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC now!

Made up your mind on your preferred version of the new Pokémon games? Get Pokémon Scarlet or Violet and The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC now at Startselect! Simply select your product, instantly redeem your code in the Nintendo eShop, and start your Paldean adventure.

Good luck, trainer!

Nintendo Switch Online 12 months
£17.30
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