Yesterday, Nintendo released a lengthy trailer for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, detailing new features and new friends coming to the game. To me, though, the most exciting thing was the redesign of the Pokedex.
Farigiraf, the evolved form of Girafarig from Gold and Silver, is revealed by Pokemon Scarlet and Violet at about the seven-minute mark of the trailer below. The trailer showed that the regional Pokedex had received a major visual upgrade to reflect the addition of new Pokemon entries.
Every Pokemon you’ve ever caught will be represented in the Pokedex by its official artwork, just as it has been in every game before. Sure, the Pokemon aesthetic is still instantly recognizable, but with Scarlet and Violet, it seems like things are shifting. For the purpose of showcasing Farigiraf, the dex opens to reveal a set of photographs of recently captured Pokemon, displayed as though on a shelf against a wood-paneled wall.
There are photos that look like they were taken in the wild with a camera phone like Pokemon Snap, and then there are photos that look like they were taken in a controlled environment and show sleeping or tame Pokemon. In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, you’ll be able to take pictures, but it’s unclear whether those pictures will be added to your updated Pokedex or if you’ll have to rely on an existing database of “official” images.
The new presentation looks great either way; the original Pokedex structure has been around for quite some time, so it was due for a facelift that takes advantage of the Switch’s improved visual capabilities and reflects the more exploratory nature of the series in the present day. This updated style isn’t confined to the Pokedex.
Nintendo also showcased the TM Machine in the trailer, a handy tool for creating duplicates of the moves you want for your team without having to rely on what you can find or purchase in the wild. Like the Pokedex, it depicts Pokemon actually using the moves rather than just describing them.
Pokemon using Charm, Struggle Bug, and Icy Wind include Pikachu, Venonat, and Glaceon. Grimer, Meowth, and Gardevoir are just some of the other Pokemon that can be spotted here and there. It’s a fantastic addition to the reimagining the series has been undergoing ever since Scarlet/Violet and continues in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
Those cosmetic changes aren’t the only thing we noticed in the trailer from yesterday, though. The highlight was the ability to go on picnics with your Pokemon in Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet, similar to the camps in Sword and Shield.