Nintendo has teased a new update forPokémon Scarlet and Violet, which already feels like a fever dream, but I’m sold on how much it could improve the Generation 9 titles. The first Gen 9 games were released back in 2022 with mostly positive reactions, thoughthey were met with a lot of criticism directed toward their low-quality graphics, unstable frame rates, and underwhelming performance. There was also some criticism directed at theopen-world design ofPokémon Scarlet and Violet. While innovative, the game often feels empty, and Pokémons’ artificial intelligence seems dull.
However, the games were praised. Overall, the Gen 9 titles offer a fun experience for their players with their open-ended approach to progression and new, exciting creatures to encounter and capture. Gen 9 isn’t over just yet, as players will soon see therelease ofPokémon Legends: Z-A, which will take place in Gen 6’s Lumiose City. Even so,some of the community’s curiosity is already directed at the unannounced Gen 10 games and how they will present themselves, especially compared toScarlet and Violet. Nevertheless, it seems like Gen 9 can still improve, years after its initial release.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Runs At 60 FPS On Nintendo Switch 2
The Update Could Make The Games Run Much Smoother
Even though the games aren’t receiving new widespread updates aside from activities to challenge, such as Outbreaks or Tera Raid Battle Events,Scarlet and Violetwill soon get updated with an exciting new feature – though very limited. According to a video that was posted on the Nintendo Today! app, which was then shared by userSkullghoston Reddit,the Gen 9 games will run at 60 FPS (frames per second) on Nintendo Switch 2. The video highlights gameplay snippets showcasing the playable character exploration Paldea at what seems like a stable 60 FPS inPokémon Scarlet and Violet.
What is notable from the video is that the Trainer is shown running at 60 FPS across areas full of Pokémon wildlife. In 2023, Nintendo issued a patch for the games. Theupdate forPokémon Scarlet and Violetimproved performancequite significantly, but it came at the cost of reduced Pokémon spawns and NPCs. The new video of the games running on Nintendo Switch 2 seems to show thatthe new console will be able to run the game at a satisfactory FPS rate without reducing the Pokémon spawn rate, making them not only stable, but rich.
One Of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’s Main Issues Is Its Unstable Frame Rate
The Games Feature Constant Moments Of Lag
Not all issues with the games are resolved with this update. The first issue is that this update will likely only affect the games on Nintendo Switch 2, meaning that players stuck with the game on the previous console generation will likely still have to endure the problems with performance.The other issue is that it’s possible that the upgrade for the Nintendo Switch 2 versions of the games will be paid rather than a free improvement. As such, players on Switch 2 who don’t purchase the rumored upgrade may have to deal withPokémon Scarlet and Violet’s poor performance.
It has yet to be confirmed ifScarlet and Violetwill have a special Nintendo Switch 2 version, likeZelda: Breath of the Wild, for example.
Based on the short teaser for the improved gameplay, this is what the Gen 9 titles should have looked like at launch. Even though the games still notably struggle with graphic quality, which is mainly a design choice,the constant FPS drops that come from the unstable frame rate are one of the biggest issues with the game.The lake that is seen in the video, Casseroya Lake, has a notorious reputation for lagging, causing disturbance while playing. These constant moments of lag are some of theworst problems withPokémon Scarlet and Violet.
If the update for the Nintendo Switch 2 console proves to be real and free for all players, it will be of tremendous value in renewing the Gen 9’s reputation, even if not restoring it entirely. The updated FPS is extremely positive for games that struggled so much with it, but the possibility of it being locked behind a paid upgrade is terrible – hopefully, however, Nintendo will acknowledge that this should be a free update for allPokémon Scarlet and Violetplayers, even if limited to Nintendo Switch 2.
