Thanks to Technical Improvements, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Shine on Nintendo Switch 2

Oh man, where do I even start with this mess? So, picture it: the original Pokemon Scarlet & Violet on the Nintendo Switch. It’s like, such a classic, right? But yikes, that performance! Imagine trying to enjoy an awesome game, but it just runs like… well, let’s be real, like a car with square wheels. Sure, I’ve seen worse—games that are plain broken, falling apart at the seams—but this was something else entirely.

I once scribbled a 2022 review about it, calling it a “super-effective new vision” for the series. But you know what? It was also a total bummer because it just couldn’t run properly. Like, those infamous windmills and fuzzy cliffsides? Come on, it was like some retro throwback to the Nintendo 64, and you know what, Scarlet & Violet deserved a whole lot better.

Fast forward three years, and boom, here comes the Switch 2. I got an early peek thanks to The Pokemon Company, and let me tell you, it was like waking up from a bad dream. I had been a pretty vocal critic, so them inviting me felt like, “Whoa, they’re really confident now!”

Okay, I can’t even find the words—maybe just “wow”—but this update, I mean, it’s like, night and day. To those folks claiming frame rates don’t matter, I double-dare you: switch between the original and Switch 2 versions. It’s like my friend Joe says in that Serebii video: you just can’t go back.

The visuals are crisper, sharper, and zomg the frame rate? Solid 60fps, mostly. No more bumpy rides through slideshow-ville. Yep, those windmills finally got their act together!

What does all this tech talk mean, though? It’s not just bragging rights. This revamp really shakes things up. The game was always about that adventurous, open-world vibe—like Pokemon going all Skyrim or Breath of the Wild. But with the frame rate dipping at crucial moments, it was killing the buzz. Now, with everything running smooth, it’s like stepping into a whole new world.

Gameplay’s picking up, too. I mean, seeing wild Pokemon spawn left and right in droves across lush fields is kind of insane. That weird little delay? Gone. Menus snap to attention now. Pokemon Box sprites? Bam, there they are, lively as ever.

These might seem like tiny tweaks, but they’re the type that stack up to something mighty. Battles don’t drag out anymore because of clunky animations that used to tank the frame rate. Hallelujah!

Let’s not get too carried away, though. It’s not all rainbows and sunshine. Running along at 60fps is fab, but hey, details like flowers still pop in awkwardly. Oh, and while the tech’s all shiny, it kind of exposes the art style—it needs a bit more polish, I’d say. HDR does help, though, making vibrant colors of Paldea pop like nothing else.

Overall, this update is like, a win. Finally, Scarlet & Violet are getting the treatment they deserve. Might even be the best-looking main-line Pokemon game ever, definitely in the 3D realm. It’s almost criminal how good 60fps feels with Pokemon. This way of playing seems revolutionary, honestly. Plus, I’m stoked for this year’s Pokemon Legends Z-A. Can’t wait to see what they do next!