Pokemon Scarlet & Violetare set to be the next mainline entries in Nintendo’s long-runningPokemonfranchise. Since their announcement in late February 2022, little has been revealed about the next adventure forPokemonfans. Many fans expect the ninth generation of the series will be the best that Game Freak has had to offer.
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In pastPokemongenerations, post-game content has been a divisive topic.HeartGold & SoulSilverfeatures an entirely different region to explore, whileSword & Shieldfeatures two paid DLC expansion packs. These features from previous gens would be welcomed additions toScarlet & Violet’s endgame.
10The Battle Frontier
The Battle Frontier has taken on many forms throughout thePokemonseries. Often, it serves as a location players can visit after becoming the Champion of regions like Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. There, players can battle other Trainers and truly test the strengths of their favorite team of six Pokemon.
While the Battle Frontier wasa favorite of many competitive Pokemon players, a new region hasn’t included the feature since the fourth generation. However, alternatives like the Battle Tower or Battle Subway have served as areas for Trainers to test their skills. Hopefully, the return of a Battle Frontier would appeal to older fans.
9The Safari Zone
The first four Pokemon regions featured a Pokemon preserve known as the Safari Zone. These special areas allowed players to catch various Pokemon without battling them. However, players were limited in their exploration of the Safari Zone by a step limit and a maximum of thirty Safari Balls.
The Safari Zone hasn’t appeared in its original form in many generations. Gen 6 included a Friend Safari that allowed players to capture Pokemon from other regions. Given thatScarlet & Violetappear toshare many similarities toPokemon Legends: Arceus, it’s possible this mechanic will re-appear in some form in the new region.
8Special Trainer Matches
Oftentimes, defeating the Elite Four in aPokemongame will unlock special privileges across the region. In some areas, special Trainers will appear,giving players some of their hardest battles yet. Depending on the game, certain Trainers may be references to the real world, while others will expand on the game’s story.
InSword & Shield, players could battle Morimoto, a developer at Game Freak, once a day after beating the Pokemon League. InPokemon Black 2 & White 2, the character N can be found at his castle offering a rematch, with a different rotation of Pokemon that cycles throughout the game’s seasons.
7Gym Leader Rematches
In addition to special trainers appearing throughout the region, pastPokemongames have allowed players to have rematches with the region’s Gym Leaders. However, this time, the Gym Leaders will have much stronger teams than they did before. This offers players a new challenge for their post-game adventures.
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The way these rematches occur can differ between games. The fifth-generation featured the Pokemon World Tournament, whileDiamond & Pearlallowed players to rematch Gym Leaders at their respective gyms. Hopefully,Scarlet & Violetgives players a chance to spar with their favorite Gym Leaders for a second time.
6New Game Mechanics
Some special features ofPokemongames are hidden from players before completing the main story. InSword & Shield, players were able to discoverjudges who could evaluate a Pokemon’s IVsafter becoming the Champion.Pokemon X & Yalso featured the Poke Radar, which helps players find Shiny Pokemon.
However, some entries in the series, such asSun & Moon, were lackluster in their post-game content. In this generation, the only things players could do after beating the game were catch new Pokemon and complete the National Pokedex. Having new game mechanics to play around with definitely appeals to more hardcore fans.
5The Return Of Looker
The character Looker appeared throughout thePokemonfranchise after his debut inPokemon Platinum. In that game, Looker encounters the playerthroughout the game’s story as he investigates Team Galactic. However, in future gens, he makes significant appearances after the player defeats the Elite Four.
InBlack & White, players help Looker arrest the Seven Sages of Team Plasma. However, in games likeOmega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, Looker’s only purpose is to give the player a Mega Stone. Looker did not appear in the post-game ofSword & Shield, but perhaps the new generation will be his chance to return.
4An Expanded Region
Sometimes, there’s not too much for players to do after defeating the Pokemon League other than explore the game’s respective regions. Some games, likePokemon X & Y, will merely allow players to explore a new town. However, games likeBlack & Whiteoffer entire new sections of the Unova map for players to encounter new Pokemon.
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Scarlet & Violetwould really appeal to longtimePokemonfans by going all the way with this concept.Sword & Shieldintroduced new Wild Areas through their DLC expansions. The second generation of games, as well as their remakes, even allow players to explore the Kanto region and take on their Pokemon League.
3The National Pokedex
This may be a long shot, but part of the fun ofPokemongames was the overarching goal of actually “catching ‘em all.” This often fueled the post-games of the first seven generations, until Game Freak changed the rules.Sword & Shieldwere the first games in the series to not feature a National Pokedex.
As a result,many players had to leave their favorite Pokemon behind in past games. While services likePokemon Homeallowed players to keep their Pokemon in safe places, many players don’t feel right about paying for the service. Maybe through updates,Scarlet & Violetcan be a new home for many players’ older Pokemon.
2Legendary Pokemon Encounters
One of the biggest draws to completing aPokemongame is allowing players to catch powerful Pokemon. While these Pokemon are often banned from competitive play, having one in your Pokedex is a badge of honor. In games likeDiamond & PearlandBlack & White, catching Legendaries was a worthwhile post-game adventure.
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However, some games likeX & Yfeature a limited amount of Legendary Pokemon available in the core games. On the contrary,Sword & Shield’s second DLC expansion added every Legendary Pokemon into the game to be caught. Hopefully, fans will be able to spend lots of time tracking down these fearsome creatures.
1New Pokemon To Catch
The most obvious benefit of completing aPokemongame isthe ability to encounter more Pokemon in general. Sometimes, this is due to new areas of the regional map being opened up. Other times, it’s because of special conditions triggered by beating the Elite Four, such as the appearance of Legendary Pokemon across the map.
Sword & Shieldtakes this a step further with the Wild Area mechanic. Players can encounter new Pokemon during Foggy weather, which is accessed after completing the game. SinceScarlet & Violetwill be the first fully open-world entry in the franchise, there are many opportunities for players to find new Pokemon.
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