Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet the highly anticipated debut games in Pokémon's ninth generation, are finally here. They've earned positive reviews from critics, and eager players are more than ready to start their journeys across the Paldea region.
Interest in the games is at an all-time high, and fans are finding all kinds of ways of expressing their excitement, especially through the extremely online lingua franca of memes. Whether on Twitter or Reddit, these memes are more than proof enough that the Pokémon fandom is alive and thriving.
You Had One Job
Starter evolutions are a topic of discussion and real controversy among Pokémon players. The Gen IX starters all saw praise for their initial forms, but the reaction to their final evolutions has been mixed. As usual, the main complaint is that they look too humanoid, with many fans wanting to go back to four-legged Pokémon.
Redditor Ok_Distance_7209 posted this meme that mocks the fan reaction to Sprigatito's final evolution, by far the most divisive of the three. Using one of Loki's most memorable quotes from Thor: Ragnarok, the meme captures the disappointment many fans felt at seeing yet another two-legged starter. Aren't these supposed to be animals?
What A Day To Come Out
On the eve of Scarlet and Violet's release, Twitter was crumbling in the wake of Elon Musk's takeover. Many believed the site wouldn't make it to the next day's morning, much less survive to the end of the month. The vibe on the night of the Nov. 17 and early morning of Nov. 18 was gloomy indeed.
Amid the chaos, Pokémon fans rallied to keep things light in anticipation of the games. Twitter user @ArlicRiley posted this funny meme about Klawf, one of the best Paldean Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet, with a caption inviting people to take their minds off Twitter's potential doom. For now, the platform is still up and running, but who knows for how long?
No Spoilers
Spoilers are the enemies of any gamer. Experiencing the game with a fresh perspective is one of the joys of playing any new title, and spoilers hinder that. Although many Pokémon fans will play the new games as soon as they come out, others won't be so lucky, meaning they'll have to navigate social media while avoiding spoilers as much as possible.
Redditor Conscious_Bedroom897 posted this meme about the huge amount of spoilers that will flood social media in the coming days. Pokémon fans are passionate and enjoy having discussions on every platform, which is great. They also love spoiling things, which isn't.
Could You Hurry Up Already?
Some of the all-time best RPGs are considerably difficult. Pokémon isn't famous for its challenging narrative, but it is a wide and sprawling world full of easter eggs and secrets that might not be noticeable at first sight. Thus, many players follow a guide or walkthrough to avoid missing anything.
However, doing a comprehensive and detailed guide takes time. Redditor mohammed69cats posted a hilarious meme about the struggle of wanting a guide as soon as the game comes out but knowing it's almost impossible. Guide writers are people too, and they're doing their best to offer something of quality. Good things come to those who wait!
Paradox Edge
Paradox forms are one of Gen IX's new gimmicks, introducing new forms of classic Pokémon and some impressive themes about time and space. Jigglypuff, one of the cutest but most powerful Pokémon in the franchise, gets a Paradox form in Scarlet and Violet, and fans are already going wild about its design.
Redditor poke-guy-13 posted this sweet and funny meme about how Paradox Jigglypuff is "edgier" than regular Jigglypuff. There are enough differences to make Paradox Jigglypuff stand out from its classic predecessor, but it's still unsettling to see Jiglyypuff without its trademark green eyes. Perhaps that's where the edge comes from.
Donphan: No Way Home
Phanpy and Donphan are among the most underrated Pokémon in the franchise. Introduced in Generation II, the elephant duo spent decades away from the spotlight before Gen IX rescued them from oblivion and gave Donphan not one but two Paradox forms.
Fans of the two elephants are over the moon, like Reddit user JF619, who used the classic Spider-Man-pointing-at-himself meme template to illustrate Donphan's new reality. It's great when an overlooked Pokémon gets its dues, and few creatures deserve the attention more than Donphan.
You Can't Have Everything
Gaming fans are becoming more demanding with their content. No longer willing to waste their money on below-average games, players expect their titles to be worth the spend and provide quality content. Pokémon can be pretty hit-or-miss with fans and critics, but Gen IX is among the most daring entries in the franchise.
Nothing's perfect, and some fans are already noticing some performance issues in the games. Redditor ScarlettFire_73 posted a biting meme praising Scarlet and Violet's gameplay but criticizing its technical issues. The scene from El Dorado makes the meme even funnier but no less harsh.
Decisions, Decisions
Some of the strongest Ghost-type Pokémon are also among the coolest creatures in the franchise. Paired with another great type like Fire, Ghost-types can rise among their generation's ranks and become genuine superstars.
Paldea has two great Fire/Ghost-types competing for fans' affection: Skeledirge (Fuecoco's final evolution) and Ceruledge. Redditor Trollerz462 posted this amusing and accurate meme that captures the dilemma many fans will face when forming their team. There can be only one Fire/Ghost Pokémon in the team. The question is, which one will it be?
Well, This Got Dark
Whether people in the Pokémon world eat Pokémon has long been a matter of debate among the fandom. The anime confirms they do, and some questionable Pokedex entries also imply it. Gen IX goes all-in on the premise and includes a dish called "Klawf al ajillo," confirming that, yes, people eat Pokémon.
Sandwiches play a huge role in the Gen IX games, and many recipes include ham. Redditor LNERGordon posted this awkward meme about how the games' plot is an attempt to save the Lechonk population from becoming sandwich ingredients. It's unnerving to think about Trainer eating their "friends," especially when they look like poor Lechonk.
Will You Shut Up?
Pokémon fans are among the hardest to please, and there hasn't been a game that makes everyone happy. Players tend to have more than a few things to complain about, whether it's the lack of a National Pokedex or the numerous performance issues.
Although some criticism is warranted, other complaints come across as nitpicking. Reddit user sachimokins summarized the feeling with this controversial but accurate meme. Indeed, some fans just want to play and catch their favorite Pokémon, which is okay. At the end of the day, fans love the franchise and want to see it succeed, and that's what matters.