The biggest differences between Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet are their Legendary partners, professors, academies, and version-exclusive Pokémon. Scarlet centers on Koraidon, Professor Sada, Naranja Academy, and past-themed Ancient Paradox Pokémon; Violet features Miraidon, Professor Turo, Uva Academy, and future-themed Future Paradox Pokémon. Neither is objectively better: choose the one whose characters, look, and Pokémon you prefer.
Scarlet vs. Violet at a glance
| Difference | Pokémon Scarlet | Pokémon Violet |
|---|---|---|
| Journey Legendary | Koraidon | Miraidon |
| Professor | Professor Sada | Professor Turo |
| Academy | Naranja Academy | Uva Academy |
| Paradox Pokémon theme | Ancient and past-oriented | Future-oriented |
| Examples of base-game exclusives | Larvitar line, Deino line, Oranguru, Stonjourner, Armarouge, Great Tusk, Flutter Mane, Roaring Moon | Bagon line, Dreepy line, Passimian, Eiscue, Ceruledge, Iron Treads, Iron Hands, Iron Valiant |
| Examples from The Teal Mask | Gligar, Cramorant | Aipom, Morpeko |
Nintendo confirms that different Pokémon species appear depending on the game, and identifies Koraidon with Scarlet and Miraidon with Violet in its version-differences guide. The Pokémon examples in the table are representative, not a complete checklist.
What changes during the main adventure?
Koraidon or Miraidon
Your version’s Legendary Pokémon is also your traversal partner. Koraidon is Scarlet’s, while Miraidon is Violet’s; both can help you dash, climb, glide, swim, and jump as you explore.
Professor Sada or Professor Turo
Scarlet features Professor Sada, whose styling is past-oriented. Violet features Professor Turo, whose styling is future-oriented. That contrast matches the games’ Ancient and Future Paradox Pokémon.
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- 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.
Naranja Academy or Uva Academy
Scarlet’s school is Naranja Academy; Violet’s is Uva Academy. These names, like the professors and Legendary partners, are part of each edition’s distinct presentation.
Which Pokémon are exclusive to Scarlet?
Scarlet’s notable base-game exclusives include the following species and evolution lines. The list is selective; it is not a complete Pokédex checklist.
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- 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
- Returning Pokémon and lines: Vulpix and Ninetales; Gligar and Gliscor; Larvitar, Pupitar, and Tyranitar; Cranidos and Rampardos; Drifloon and Drifblim; Stunky and Skuntank; Deino, Zweilous, and Hydreigon; Skrelp and Dragalge.
- Other notable species: Paldean Tauros Blaze Breed, Oranguru, Cramorant, Stonjourner, and Armarouge.
- Ancient Paradox Pokémon: Great Tusk, Scream Tail, Brute Bonnet, Flutter Mane, Slither Wing, Sandy Shocks, and Roaring Moon.
- Version Legendary: Koraidon.
Which Pokémon are exclusive to Violet?
Violet’s notable base-game exclusives include:
- Returning Pokémon and lines: Sandshrew and Sandslash; Aipom and Ambipom; Misdreavus and Mismagius; Gulpin and Swalot; Bagon, Shelgon, and Salamence; Shieldon and Bastiodon; Clauncher and Clawitzer; Dreepy, Drakloak, and Dragapult.
- Other notable species: Paldean Tauros Aqua Breed, Passimian, Morpeko, Eiscue, and Ceruledge.
- Future Paradox Pokémon: Iron Treads, Iron Bundle, Iron Hands, Iron Jugulis, Iron Moth, Iron Thorns, and Iron Valiant.
- Version Legendary: Miraidon.
How does The Teal Mask DLC differ by version?
The Teal Mask adds further version distinctions. A discussion in the official Pokémon community forum identifies Gligar and Cramorant for Scarlet, and Aipom and Morpeko for Violet. That post is community guidance, not a publisher-maintained canonical checklist.
Serebii’s version-exclusive reference also lists DLC-associated exclusives such as Walking Wake, Gouging Fire, and Raging Bolt for Scarlet, and Iron Leaves, Iron Boulder, and Iron Crown for Violet. Consult the reference for a broader inventory; it is a specialist database rather than an official publisher checklist.
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![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.
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. Its multiplayer guide specifies that online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Internet access and country availability conditions also apply. Some otherwise exclusive Pokémon may be accessed through another player’s game via Union Circle or Tera Raid Battles, but the available route depends on the species; do not assume every Pokémon can be obtained in the same way.
For a fuller list of exclusives, Serebii’s Scarlet and Violet reference includes evolution lines and DLC entries. It is useful for checking species, but it is not an official Pokémon Company checklist.
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![Pokemon Violet [video game]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51daLAuNwcL._SL160_.jpg)
- 210351
Which version should you choose?
- Choose Scarlet if you prefer Koraidon, Professor Sada, Naranja Academy, or the Ancient Paradox designs—and if Scarlet’s exclusive species are the ones you most want to use or collect.
- Choose Violet if Miraidon, Professor Turo, Uva Academy, or the Future Paradox designs appeal more, or its exclusive species better fit your plans.
- Consider trading or cooperative play if your main concern is filling out a collection and you have someone with the other version to play with.
The edition-specific Pokémon are only one part of the choice: the Legendary, professor, academy, and overall past-versus-future aesthetic change too. There is no evidence here that one edition is universally superior.
Quick Recap
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- 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
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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