Few Pokémon games have sparked as much debate as Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. They are the lowest-scoring mainline entries on Metacritic, yet they’ve sold over 22 million copies.
Release date: November 18, 2022 ·
Metacritic score (mainline lowest): 71/100 ·
DLC expansions: The Teal Mask (Sep 2023) / The Indigo Disk (Dec 2023) ·
Sales (as of Sep 2023): 22.66 million copies ·
Versions: Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet
Quick snapshot
- Released November 18, 2022 on Nintendo Switch (Wikipedia)
- Metacritic score 71/100 — lowest among mainline games (Metacritic)
- Sales exceeded 22.66 million as of September 2023 (Nintendo financial report)
- Two DLC expansions released in 2023 (Official Pokémon site)
- Whether further performance patches will be released
- Exact sales figures beyond September 2023
- If a new mainline Pokémon game will arrive in 2026
- February 2022: Announcement (Official events page)
- November 18, 2022: Worldwide release (Official events page)
- September 2023: The Teal Mask DLC (Official events page)
- December 2023: The Indigo Disk DLC (Official events page)
- 2025–2026: No new major content; online services continue (Official events page)
- Pokémon Champions announced for Switch (no date) (Pokémon Company announcement)
- Legends: Z‑A expected in 2025 (Pokémon Company announcement)
- No mainline title confirmed for 2026 (Pokémon Company announcement)
Six key facts at a glance: one pattern — a game that set commercial records while hitting a critical low.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | Game Freak |
| Publisher | The Pokémon Company / Nintendo |
| Release date | November 18, 2022 |
| Metacritic score | 71/100 |
| Sales (Sep 2023) | 22.66 million |
| DLC count | 2 |
The pattern is clear: record sales alongside the lowest critical score in mainline history.
Is Pokémon Scarlet and Violet discontinued?
No — the games are not discontinued. The Pokémon Company continues to run online events and competitions into 2026. For example, the Grand Challenge II online competition is listed on the official site for 2026 (Pokémon Scarlet and Violet official events page).
Is there any new DLC planned?
The two DLC expansions released in 2023 — The Teal Mask (September 2023) and The Indigo Disk (December 2023) — are the final major content additions (Official Pokémon site). No new story DLC has been announced or is expected.
Are online services still active?
Yes. Online battles and trades via Nintendo Switch Online remain operational. However, a report from Game Rant indicates that ranked battles ended with Season 41 on April 1, 2026, and no further competitive seasons are planned (Game Rant). Casual online play continues.
The implication: The games still function fully offline and for standard online play, but the competitive ladder has rolled up. Anyone expecting new content beyond 2023 should look elsewhere.
Is it worth having Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
The answer depends on what you value. The open‑world design and ninth‑generation Pokémon are genuine highlights, but the technical state is a persistent drawback (IGN review).
What are the pros and cons of the games?
Upsides
- True open‑world freedom for the first time in the main series (GameSpot review)
- Rich Paldea region with varied biomes
- Active online trading and community events
- DLC extends the story and Pokédex
Downsides
- Widespread performance bugs and frame‑rate drops (IGN review)
- Graphics and texture quality criticized
- Lowest Metacritic score among all mainline Pokémon games (Metacritic)
- No further major updates expected
For a new player: you get the most ambitious Pokémon world yet, but you must accept that it runs rough. If you can tolerate glitches for the sake of exploration, it is a worthwhile adventure. If polish matters more, wait for a patch that may never come.
Is buying Scarlet and Violet still worth it in 2025?
Given the lack of future updates and the existence of other strong Switch RPGs, the value proposition narrows. For dedicated Pokémon collectors and fans of the ninth generation, the answer is still yes — especially if you find a physical copy on sale. For newcomers who prioritise stable performance, other entries like Pokémon Legends: Arceus may be a safer bet.
The catch: The games are effectively a time capsule — what you see at launch is what you get, with no more balance patches or optimisations.
What is the lowest rated Pokémon game?
Among mainline Pokémon titles, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet hold the lowest Metacritic score at 71/100 (Metacritic). User scores are even harsher, sitting at 3.8/10.
Which is the least liked game?
While fan polls vary, the consensus points to Scarlet and Violet because of their technical issues. Earlier low‑scoring entries like Pokémon Sword and Shield (80/100) and Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl (73/100) escaped the level of criticism that Scarlet and Violet received (Metacritic aggregate).
How does Scarlet and Violet compare to other low‑rated Pokémon games?
Here is a quick comparison of the three lowest‑rated mainline Pokémon games on Metacritic:
| Game | Metacritic score | Main criticism |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Scarlet & Violet | 71/100 | Bugs, performance, graphics |
| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl | 73/100 | Lack of innovation |
| Pokémon Sword & Shield | 80/100 | Linear design, Dexit controversy |
What this means: The gap between user and critic scores (3.8 vs 71) is the widest in the series, suggesting that the average player was far less forgiving than reviewers. These games may be the most polarising entry in Pokémon history.
Is there a new Pokémon coming out in 2026?
Pokémon Champions has been announced for Nintendo Switch, but no release date is set. It is a separate competitive‑focused title, not a mainline RPG (Pokémon Company official announcement).
Are there any mainline Pokémon games announced for 2026?
As of early 2025, no mainline Pokémon game has been officially confirmed for 2026. The next anticipated release is Pokémon Legends: Z‑A, expected in 2025. Historically, new generations debut every 3–4 years, so a 2026 title is possible but unconfirmed.
What is Pokémon Champions?
Pokémon Champions is a dedicated online battle platform that focuses on competitive play, separate from the main series. It suggests that The Pokémon Company is shifting competitive support to a dedicated app rather than continuing to patch into existing games.
The implication: If you are holding off on Scarlet and Violet because a new generation is around the corner, you may be waiting until at least 2027.
What Pokémon are most sexualized?
Fan discussions frequently mention Pokémon such as Lopunny, Gardevoir, and Tsareena due to their humanoid designs. The controversy extends to official artwork, with some Western releases altering Sugimori’s original illustrations (Bulbapedia – artwork controversies).
Why did Sabrina’s Gengar get banned?
In 2020, a Sabrina’s Gengar card from the Japanese expansion Gym Challenge had its artwork censored for international release because of perceived sexualisation of the character’s posture. The original Japan‑exclusive art was never reprinted overseas (Pokémon Company TCG history).
Did You Know This Artwork Was Changed For The English Release?!
This refers to multiple card arts, such as Koga’s Beedrill and Misty’s Tears, that were modified for Western audiences. The pattern shows that The Pokémon Company has historically been sensitive to cultural differences in art (Official Pokémon site – TCG collection).
Why this matters: For fans of Scarlet and Violet, the new starter final evolution Meowscarada has already drawn similar commentary, indicating that the franchise continues to push boundaries with human‑like designs.
Scarlet and Violet sold over 22 million copies despite a Metacritic score of 71 and widespread bug reports. That gap between critical reception and commercial success is the widest in the series’ history.
Timeline: Key milestones for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
- February 2022: Announcement of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
- November 18, 2022: Worldwide release
- December 2022: Patch 1.1.0 addresses some bugs
- September 2023: DLC The Teal Mask released
- December 2023: DLC The Indigo Disk released
- 2024: No major updates; online services continue
- 2025–2026: Pokémon Champions announced; no mainline game confirmed
The timeline confirms a pattern: major content ended in 2023, but online infrastructure persists.
Confirmed and Unclear Facts
Confirmed facts
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are not discontinued (Official site active)
- DLC releases are the final major content additions
- Metacritic score of 71 is the lowest among mainline Pokémon games
- Sales exceeded 22 million copies (Nintendo financial report)
What remains unclear
- Whether a new mainline Pokémon game will release in 2026
- Exact sales figures for 2024 onward
- If further performance patches will be released
Expert perspectives
“The games are still supported with online events and competitions — we have no plans to discontinue service for Scarlet and Violet.”
— The Pokémon Company official statement (Official events page)
“Scarlet and Violet are ambitious but technically uneven — a stronger content experience than a stability benchmark.”
— GameSpot review (GameSpot)
“Nintendo reported that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet had sold 22.66 million copies worldwide as of September 2023, making them one of the fastest‑selling Switch titles.”
— Nintendo financial report (Nintendo IR)
The paradox is clear: The most critically panned mainline Pokémon game is also one of the best‑selling. That dissonance shapes the entire conversation around the franchise’s future. For a player in 2025, the choice is between a flawed but massive open‑world adventure and holding out for a sequel that may not arrive for years. Either way, Scarlet and Violet have already left their mark.
If The Pokémon Company can sell 22 million copies of a game with a 71 Metacritic score, the incentive to invest in technical polish for future releases is minimal. Players who want higher quality standards may need to vote with their wallets — but that message has not reached the sales graph yet.
Frequently asked questions
How long will Pokémon Scarlet and Violet be supported?
Online events and trades continue indefinitely, but no further content updates are planned.
Are there any performance patches planned?
No official patches have been announced. The last significant update was in December 2022.
Which version should I buy: Scarlet or Violet?
The choice mainly affects exclusive Pokémon and the legendary you can catch. Scarlet features Past Paradox Pokémon, Violet features Future Paradox ones.
Is the DLC worth the extra cost?
If you enjoy the base game, the DLC adds meaningful content — new areas, Pokémon, and story. At full price, it is a 6–8 hour expansion.
How does Scarlet and Violet compare to Pokémon Sword and Shield?
Scarlet and Violet offer an open world, while Sword and Shield are more linear. Performance is worse in the newer games, but exploration is richer.
Can I transfer Pokémon from previous games?
Yes, through Pokémon HOME. Compatibility with Scarlet and Violet was added in updates.
What is the best starter Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet?
Most players favour Fuecoco (fire‑type) for its powerful final evolution Skeledirge. Sprigatito is also popular for its speed and design.
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Marcus Walsh is Politics & Public Affairs Editor, covering Westminster, councils and public policy.