Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Breaking Boundaries and Setting the Stage for a Phenomenal Gen 10

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have faced criticism from series fans, primarily due to their poor technical performance. However, these criticisms overlook another concerning aspect that sets a worrying precedent for future generations. While the inclusion of Tera Raids as an extension of the Terastal Phenomena mechanic is a positive addition, it introduces the problem of locking certain Pokemon, such as Walking Wake and Iron Leaves, behind limited-time events. This trend must be addressed in the upcoming Gen 10 games.

The Pokemon series has previously offered limited-time giveaways for special Pokemon. Fans may remember the days of receiving Mystery Gift Pokemon from in-person events, which later transitioned to special download codes, and now online distribution. However, these events were typically reserved for shinies Legendaries or Mythical Pokemon that couldn't be obtained through regular gameplay. The status of Paradox Pokemon, which fall just outside these categories, raises more concerns about this new trend.

Gen 10 Needs to Avoid Locking Non-Legendary Mons Behind Limited-Time Events

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have consistently released limited-time Tera Raid events since their launch. These events have allowed players to encounter Pokemon that were not previously available in the game before the introduction of Pokemon Home. It was thrilling to face popular Pokemon like Charizard, Greninja, and Cinderace in these limited-time raids before they could be transferred to Gen 9 games. However, the practice of introducing new creatures exclusively through these events is a different matter.

During the Pokemon Presents event, which was part of the Pokemon Day 2023 celebration, two new Paradox Pokemon were revealed as Tera Raid Bosses. The announcement of Walking Wake and Iron Leaves was an exciting surprise, but their exclusivity to a limited-time raid event made it more stressful than enjoyable to catch them. The event took place from February 27 to March 12, 2023, meaning that players who bought the game after the event ended would be unable to obtain these Pokemon. This was an unfortunate disadvantage for late adopters of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

Making matters worse, these two monsters were exclusive to a specific version of the game, which meant that players without a Nintendo Switch Online subscription couldn't access one of them at all. Pokemon games have always had version exclusivity, requiring players to trade with each other to complete their Pokedex, but this added more obstacles to obtaining a pair of creatures with limited availability. The distribution of Walking Wake and Iron Leaves also posed a challenge for competitive players, as they were only obtained through a timed event and couldn't be bred.

Although Walking Wake and Iron Leaves did return to Tera Raids from May 1-14, 2023, locking any non-Legendary monster behind a timed event sets a negative precedent. These unique Pokemon should have become permanent additions to the Tera Raid lineup, alongside the rotating event spotlight monsters. Even if they had remained exclusive to Tera Raids, they would still have been accessible to new players who purchased the games after the event dates. Game Freak and The Pokemon Company should take note of this issue as they develop Gen 10, as it is likely to include a similar multiplayer component with a new generation-specific feature.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.