Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Differences: Which Version Should I Buy?

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet may be two halves of the same whole, but there are several key differences between the two, including new and exclusive Pokémon, unique characters and outfits.

While this is nothing new for the Pokémon franchise, as splitting up entries over the years is a practice that began with 1996's Pokémon Red and Blue, it's still an important factor. Choosing which version of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet you should buy is something of a rite of passage for players. If you're planning on starting your Pokémon journey with friends and plan to trade with them, knowing which version to buy is important information.

It should be said that both games are essentially the same. There have never historically been elements of gameplay that were present in one title and not the other. But there are certain Pokémon you won't be able to capture on your own and other exclusives you might very well miss unless you trade with others or purchase both games and play them separately (and even trade with yourself).

Wondering which version of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet you should buy? These are the differences between both games and what you should know before locking in your decision.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Exclusive Pokémon

Each Pokémon game, barring Pokémon Legends: Arceus, comes with its own set of version-exclusive Pokémon. This is done in a bid to encourage players to trade with one another. There are a number of normal wild Pokémon that can be caught in one version and not the other, but there are also special Legendary Pokémon, such as those that appear on each game's physical box, that are only found in one and not the other.

Here are the known exclusive Pokémon you'll find in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This is not a complete list, as the games have not been released yet, but this is what we know so far.

Pokémon Scarlet

• Koraidon (Legendary Pokémon)
• Larvitar
• Stonjourner

Pokémon Violet

• Miraidon (Legendary Pokémon)
• Bagon
• Eiscue

As additional version-exclusive Pokémon are revealed, this list will be updated. There will undoubtedly be more, as evidenced in the most recent game pair, Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Exclusive Characters

Though not common, sometimes Pokémon titles will feature exclusive characters. That usually includes the professors players meet at the start of the game, and even potential gym leaders, but this has not been confirmed yet.

There's a very short list of confirmed version exclusive characters in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet so far. Here's who you can expect to see in the two games, as evidenced by official announcements and trailers.

Pokémon Scarlet

• Professor Sada

Pokémon Violet

• Professor Turo

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Other Exclusives

For now, the list of version exclusives for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet remains quite scant. However, there are a few pieces of information we've been able to ascertain about what each game will include. One additional difference is the uniform that you'll wear as an academy student in each game.

In Pokémon Scarlet, the Naranja Academy uniform has an orange color palette, because that's what its name refers to. Your character wears a navy hat, white dress shirt, orange tie, and striped orange shorts with navy laces. It also wears white socks with orange accents and dark sneakers.

In Pokémon Violet, the Uva Academy uniform has a purple color palette, as its name refers to grapes. Your character wears a gray hat with a gray dress shirt, purple tie, and purple shorts with yellow laces. The outfit is topped off with black and yellow socks with brown loafers.

This list will be updated further as Pokémon Scarlet and Violet debuts with additional information.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are confirmed for a November 18 release as Nintendo Switch exclusives.