Decades intoPokemon’s life, parts of its formula have changed while others remain the same.Pokemon ScarletandViolethave taken up a nonlinear open world approach, with traversal mechanics borrowed fromPokemon Legends: Arceusand optional co-op multiplayer worked in. Their main quest has been split in three, with the Pokemon League, villain team, and boss Titan Pokemon serving as different storylines that eventually converge. However, despite all of their changes,Pokemon ScarletandViolet’s core gameplay loop is the same as it ever was.
That also goes for how the last couplePokemongenerations have been released.Pokemon SwordandShieldandPokemon ScarletandVioletboth conformed to the usual two-version structure, but eschewed a later third version in favor of downloadable expansions. As ever, both versions have some distinct Pokemon, though they stand out more due to includingthe thematically divergent Paradox Pokemon. Drawing attention to this tradition may have actually worked in the games' favor, and futurePokemontitles should strive to emulate the different versions' takes on Paradox Pokemon.
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Paradox Pokemon Surpass Both Version Exclusives and Regional Variants
From the beginning, each version of aPokemontitle had a slightly different pool of Pokemon. This encouraged people to purchase different versions and trade for the Pokemon they weren’t able to get. It has served the series well, andthePokemonfranchise should keep itas long as multiple game versions remain in play. Over the years, this system has begun including not just box legendaries and a few choice Pokemon, but special regional forms and even evolutions. A few titles have even experimented with swapping out Gym Leaders, but this hasn’t become a series staple.
Paradox Pokemon inPokemon ScarletandVioletrepresent the next step in version-exclusive Pokemon, somethingPokemon XandYcame close to withMega Charizard and Mega Mewtwo X and Y. These creatures share the temporal theme of the version they reside in, emphasizing the differences betweenScarletandVioletas well as Paradox Pokemon and the existing species they’re based on. Because these Pokemon have distinct names and solely occupy an endgame area, they also arguably bolsterPokemon ScarletandViolet’s current low legendary count. They’ve become an object of fan fascination, something Game Freak shouldn’t ignore.
How Future Games Can Benefit From Exclusives Like Paradox Pokemon
ScarletandViolet’s Paradox Pokemon reinforce each version’s unique qualities, and, while not initially advertised due to spoilers, they make purchasing one version over the other feel meaningful. There are still other Pokemon exclusive toScarletorViolet, including some regional forms, but they don’t form a cohesive group like Paradox Pokemon do.Pokemon SunandMoonapproached this ideaby making some Ultra Beasts into exclusives, but Paradox forms go all the way into separating their members into two groups and games.
Because of the increased value Paradox Pokemon’s special status and new designs carry, futurePokemontitles should introduce more version-exclusive groups like them. Whatever later titles do with this idea shouldn’t be framed as more regional forms, instead concerning Pokemon affected by something thematically relevant to their game version. Ideally, this would include unique names, so even if these Pokemon are based on older designs they can still be classified as separate entities. With considerations like this,futurePokemontitles could make their versionsmore individualized and appealing, while also introducing interesting new kinds of Pokemon to the setting.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletare available now on Nintendo Switch.
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