The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet share the same core adventure, but each has its own Legendary partner, professor, academy, and version-exclusive Pokémon. Scarlet has Koraidon, Professor Sada, Naranja Academy, and Ancient Paradox Pokémon; Violet has Miraidon, Professor Turo, Uva Academy, and Future Paradox Pokémon. Choose based on the characters and Pokémon you prefer: neither edition is established as objectively better.
What changes between Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?
The main differences are story presentation and which Pokémon appear in each version. Nintendo’s comparison guide says that different species appear depending on the game, and identifies Koraidon and Miraidon as the respective Legendary Pokémon you explore Paldea with.
| Feature | Pokémon Scarlet | Pokémon Violet |
|---|---|---|
| Journey Legendary | Koraidon | Miraidon |
| Professor | Professor Sada | Professor Turo |
| Academy | Naranja Academy | Uva Academy |
| Paradox Pokémon theme | Ancient and past-themed designs | Future-themed designs |
Both Legendary partners help you traverse the region, including by dashing, climbing, gliding, swimming, and jumping. The professor and academy differences reinforce the past-versus-future contrast: Sada’s styling is past-oriented, while Turo’s is future-oriented.
Which version-exclusive Pokémon are most useful to know about?
The following are representative examples, not a complete Pokédex checklist. The longer lists are based on Serebii’s version-exclusive Pokémon reference, a specialist database rather than an official publisher checklist.
#1 Best Overall
- New Pokémon to Discover - Learn new details about Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly—the three Pokémon from which you’ll choose your first partner—along with other wonderful new Pokémon, including the Legendary Pokémon Koraidon and Miraidon!
- The World of Pokémon Has Evolved - Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet offer an open-world experience that only the Pokémon series can deliver—one welcoming even to newcomers to the series.
- You can experience a new style of adventure, with a world that you’re free to explore at your leisure and not in an order dictated by the story. You will, of course, journey to hone your skills as a Pokémon Trainer, but many more discoveries and stories await you. Meet a variety of people and Pokémon, and adventure in the world of Pokémon the way you want to.
- A Deeper Experience with Multiplayer* Gameplay - Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet allow multiplayer gameplay with up to four players. Along with series staples, such as trading and battling Pokémon, you will be able to explore the various locations of the region in these games with other players. You can discover new Pokémon and explore unfamiliar areas with your friends and family, opening the door to an adventure more precious and fun than ever!
- Meet the characters - As one of the main characters, you’ll set off on your adventure. Your outfit will vary depending on whether you play Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet. Who knows what kind of story awaits you? For the first time in the series, one of two different professors will appear in your game depending on the version you choose to play.
| Pokémon Scarlet examples | Pokémon Violet examples |
|---|---|
| Larvitar, Pupitar, and Tyranitar | Bagon, Shelgon, and Salamence |
| Deino, Zweilous, and Hydreigon | Dreepy, Drakloak, and Dragapult |
| Stunky and Skuntank | Gulpin and Swalot |
| Skrelp and Dragalge | Clauncher and Clawitzer |
| Oranguru | Passimian |
| Stonjourner | Eiscue |
| Armarouge | Ceruledge |
| Great Tusk, Flutter Mane, and Roaring Moon | Iron Treads, Iron Hands, and Iron Valiant |
| Paldean Tauros Blaze Breed | Paldean Tauros Aqua Breed |
Other examples in the reference include Vulpix and Ninetales, Gligar and Gliscor, Cranidos and Rampardos, Drifloon and Drifblim, and Cramorant for Scarlet; and Sandshrew and Sandslash, Aipom and Ambipom, Misdreavus and Mismagius, Morpeko, and Shieldon and Bastiodon for Violet. Koraidon and Miraidon themselves are also version-linked.
Ancient and Future Paradox Pokémon
Paradox Pokémon make the visual contrast especially clear. Scarlet’s examples include Great Tusk, Scream Tail, Brute Bonnet, Flutter Mane, Slither Wing, Sandy Shocks, and Roaring Moon. Violet’s include Iron Treads, Iron Bundle, Iron Hands, Iron Jugulis, Iron Moth, Iron Thorns, and Iron Valiant.
Rank #2
- If you purchase either the physical or digital double pack, you will receive a 200 Poké Ball bonus via download codes* that can be entered in the Mystery Gift** feature in your game!
- The packaged version of the double pack includes 1 physical Pokémon Scarlet game and 1 physical Pokémon Violet game
- Catch, battle, and train Pokémon in the Paldea Region, a vast land filled with lakes, towering peaks, wastelands, small towns, and sprawling cities
- Choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly, to be your first partner Pokémon before setting off on your journey through Paldea
Official Pokémon notices for limited-time Tera Raid events in 2023 and 2024 also identified Great Tusk and Flutter Mane as Scarlet version-exclusive Paradox Pokémon, and Iron Treads and Iron Jugulis as Violet version-exclusive Paradox Pokémon. Those notices document the version pairing, not raids that are necessarily available now.
What exclusives are in The Teal Mask and other DLC?
Version differences extend to The Teal Mask, part of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero expansion. A discussion in the official Pokémon community forum names Gligar and Cramorant for Scarlet, and Aipom and Morpeko for Violet. This is community guidance, not a publisher-maintained complete checklist.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
![Pokémon Scarlet/Pokémon Violet Expansion Pass: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero (Retail Version) Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51n-a8y2QXL._SL160_.jpg)
- Only one code for a Hisuian Zoroark can be used in either the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game. Upon purchase of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, an email with your code will be sent to the email address registered to your Nintendo Account. From the in-game menu, go to the Poké Portal, then select Mystery Gift, select Get with Code/Password, and then enter your code.
- The Mystery Gift option can be found within the Poké Portal menu option in the X menu after you unlock the feature in the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game. (This occurs after about 1 to 1.5 hours of gameplay, though individual gameplay time may vary.) An internet connection and a Nintendo Account is required to redeem the item in game. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required. Each item can only be redeemed once.
Serebii’s reference also lists additional expansion exclusives: Walking Wake, Gouging Fire, and Raging Bolt for Scarlet; Iron Leaves, Iron Boulder, and Iron Crown for Violet. Availability depends on the relevant game and expansion content; consult current in-game information and your regional Nintendo eShop listing for purchase and access terms.
Can you trade for the other version’s exclusives?
Yes. Nintendo says players with different versions can play together, trade, join raid battles, and battle together. Its multiplayer guide notes that online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nintendo also describes local and online play, with internet access and country availability conditions applying to online features.
Rank #4
![Pokemon Violet [video game]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51daLAuNwcL._SL160_.jpg)
- 210351
Some version-linked Pokémon can also be encountered through cooperation, including by connecting through Union Circle or Tera Raid Battles, as Serebii notes. The exact route depends on the species, so do not assume every exclusive is available through every cooperative activity. A friend with the other edition can make collecting many counterparts possible without owning both games.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which should you choose?
- Choose Scarlet if Koraidon, Professor Sada, Naranja Academy, or the Ancient Paradox designs appeal to you more.
- Choose Violet if Miraidon, Professor Turo, Uva Academy, or the Future Paradox designs are more your style.
- Consider trading or multiplayer if your main concern is filling out your collection and you can connect with someone who has the other version.
The differences are meaningful for your partner Pokémon, story presentation, and collection, but the available evidence does not establish one edition as objectively superior. If you want to check a particular species before buying, Serebii’s version list is more extensive than the examples here, though it is not an official Nintendo checklist.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Don the role of a Pokémon Trainer as you travel through Kanto
- Discover a new species of Pokémon with the Pokémon Lets Go series
- Catch Pokémon in the wild using a gentle throwing motion with either a Joy-Con controller or a Poké Ball Plus accessory, which will light up, vibrate, and make sounds to bring your adventure to life
- See the world in style by customizing Pikachu and your Trainer with a selection of outfits
- Connect to Pokémon GO* to transfer caught Kanto-region Pokémon, including Alolan and Shiny forms, as well as the newly discovered Pokémon, Meltan, from that game to this one
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