Will the Switch 2 update redeem Pokémon Scarlet/Violet?

There has been a lot of talk since Pokémon Scarlet/Violet debuted about the performance of both games and whether it was primarily a gaming problem or a byproduct of an outdated and technologically limited console. My position on the issue is that it’s a bit of both. Nintendo has always managed to do a tremendous amount of optimization work with its games on Switch, so much so that we were able to experience titans like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. I won’t tell you that those games are flawless on Switch, because they aren’t, but compared to Pokémon Scarlet/Violet, these open worlds are night and day.

It’s why Game Freak has received a lot of criticism in recent years, but it has always had one card behind it, which is the fact that the Switch, in the 2020s, is just not a very powerful piece of hardware. So, now that the Switch 2 is here, offering a gadget with more capable technology under the surface, does this successor system redeem the latest monster title?

There’s really no simple answer here. For starters, unlike Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, you don’t have to pay a penny for the “upgrade” in Pokémon Scarlet/Violet. That makes it instantly accessible and worth checking out. However, if you are expecting a graphical and visual overhaul, you will be disappointed, as this is not what this update offers fans.

Sure, it looks better, but only when reviewing environments in your immediate vicinity. The draw distance is not much better, and when you peer into the distance, you encounter an open world that looks barren and lifeless. But if you focus more on what’s in front of your face, you’ll notice a lot of extra texture and a lot more Pokémon wandering around. It actually feels more alive, even if the Pokémon are still roaming together in small packs.

Beyond this, the execution is in a different league. The frame rate stays at a solid 60 fps when docked, and thanks to the upscaled 4K visuals, the colorful and vividly Spanish-inspired landscape also shines. Wandering around, whether on the back of your legendary mountain or on foot, is silky smooth and fluid, and that even includes climbing mountains, sliding through the air, swimming on lakes, you name it. The game no longer feels like a nuisance to actually play, which is a huge plus.

This brings me to the other important point: load times. The game loads muuuuuch also faster, so much so that you can quickly travel around Paldea, between locations and even to Kitakami and Blueberry Academy in just a few seconds. The improved loading even translates into menu interaction, getting in and out of Pokémon battles and also talking to vendors and trainers. It’s a huge improvement, and as I just noted, the main takeaway from this is that the game no longer feels like it’s taking a toll and aging you with every second it takes to process a basic interaction and moment.

But again, this is not a complete fix for Pokémon Scarlet/Violet. It is an improvement, but the game still falls short in many areas and frankly if Game Freak serves up another open world like this in the next-generation game or even the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A, there will be many frustrated fans. This is now a significantly better game, but more in the mindset that it now feels more like the project we were promised in the first place. So if you have a copy of the game and just got your hands on a Switch 2, give it a try, because you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised. Even if there are still a lot of kinks in this game’s armor.