Generation 9 has officially been revealed with a new trailer, unveiling the upcoming Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games with glimpses into the new region. The news is one of many reveals from the Pokémon Presents February livestream event, which also confirmed a new update for Pokémon Legends: Arceus, as well as more on Pokémon Unite, GO, and other games.
While there have been lots of new Pokémon game releases since Sword and Shield and its then-new Gen 8 'mons came to Nintendo Switch in 2019, none have yet introduced a full new Generation of Pokémon. Players have been enjoying remakes like 2021's Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, as well as the recently-released Pokémon Legends: Arceus, but the pocket monsters included in the titles aren't entirely new (though the latter does feature the new Hisuian variants). Fans have eagerly been awaiting news on Pokémon's Gen 9 games and characters, but Game Freak and Nintendo have thus far kept quiet.
Despite prior silence, the wait for Gen 9 is almost over, as The Official Pokémon YouTube Channel confirmed Pokémon Scarlet and Violet as part of the Pokémon Presents event. The trailer, which is a mix of live-action and game footage, shows a wide variety of Pokémon that will be present, including Lucario, Pikachu, Stonjourner, among many others from previous Pokémon games. The line-up seems to confirm that species from all eight of the previous regions could be present in the upcoming titles. Additionally, at the end of the trailer, players are given a sneak peek at the region's starter Pokémon, with a Grass-type cat-like Pokémon, a reptilian Fire-type, and duck Water-type. It is also likely the region for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will see new Pokémon designs revealed in the coming months. According to the Pokémon Presents announcement, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will be available later this year, likely in time for the 2022 holidays.
The trailer for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is similar to the early video of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, showcasing vast landscapes and overworld-spawning Pokémon. While it is too soon to say if this will be a true open world, or will use sub-areas and world design similar to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it appears that the explorable maps will be expansive. The video displays beaches, fields, and cities with large buildings and colorful backdrops, using a perspective similar to Pokémon Sword and Shield.
One of the most exciting things showcased in the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet gameplay is the Pokémon models. Magnemite has a metallic glow to its body, Lucario shows a full range of expression as it attacks, and Meowth can be seen cleaning its face as it stands on the ground. Despite the early footage appearing rough, the range of detail to the models seems to surpass what has already been seen in Pokémon Legends: Arceus characters. The new animations, detailed appearances, and specific movements could make Pokémon Scarlet and Violet even more immersive than recent games in the series.