Enhanced by Technical Upgrades, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Shine on Nintendo Switch 2

Ugh, so here’s the deal. I remember back in the day, you know, when Scarlet & Violet dropped on the Nintendo Switch? Good gravy, talk about a mess. The game itself? Brilliant, but man, did it run like a toddler late for a nap. I’m talking stop-motion windmills and landscapes from the Nintendo 64 era. Yeah, that bad. But underneath all that chaos, there was a gem waiting to shine—like a diamond in a pile of spaghetti. Or something.

Anyway, flash forward three years—count ‘em, three—and we have this new Switch 2 version, and it totally reinvents the whole experience. I mean, I wasn’t even sure what they were doing at first, but when The Pokemon Company invited me to check it out, I had to see it to believe it. Spoiler: it’s a game-changer. I can’t even find the words but, wow, like night and day.

People say frame rates don’t make a difference—ha! Go back and try the original after playing on Switch 2. I dare you. You’ll laugh, cry, or maybe both. It’s the weirdest sensation, honestly.

So, the graphics pop now—crispy and sweet like fresh cereal. The framerate’s around 60fps, which you could bet your favorite stuffed Pikachu on. Those infamous windmills? Fixed! And everything’s smoother than a buttered slide. No more rollercoaster framerate drama, I promise.

You know what’s wild? How the game’s flow just clicks now. Scarlet & Violet has this expansive, free-spirited vibe, kinda like Breath of the Wild but, you know, full of pocket monsters. Before, you’d spin your camera to see some majestic vista only to feel like you just dropped your ice cream. Not anymore.

Technical magic aside, it really does change the gameplay, too. More wild Pokémon prancing about—hitches are gone, and menus don’t drag their feet anymore. Even those little icons in the Pokémon Box? Bam, there they are, instantly alive.

Of course, it’s not all lollipops and rainbows. There’s aggressive detail pop-in while you’re dashing along at 60 frames. Flowers suddenly appear like magic. Not perfect, but hey, you know what, the HDR helps make those colors in Paldea pop. It’s got that extra zing.

This is the Scarlet & Violet we deserved all along. It’s not just a nifty update; it’s practically a whole new game—a revolution, maybe? Playing now feels like you’re bending the rules, like Pokémon should’ve always been this slick. And I am SO here for whatever’s next with Pokémon Legends Z-A. Can’t wait.

But really, where was I? Oh, right! Go play it. Trust me.