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Each new generation of Pokémon brings new stories, transformations, and evolutions to some of the most overlooked monsters in the ‘dex, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are no different. While we only have a handful of regional variations in Paldea, that doesn’t mean ScarVi hasn’t revitalized and reimagined some of the returning Pokémon that revel in its open world.
We’ve rounded up our favorite Generation 9 Pokémon, from awesome redesigns to rehabilitating some Pokémon we previously thought were pretty uninteresting.
Here is our list!
The best Pokémon light up in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Camerupt
Plain and simple, Camerupt’s subtle redesign makes it look like a BOSS. We’ve never been more concerned about the Numel line – they’re just hot camels, who cares – but Camerupt’s subtle retexturing finally makes it look as good as it deserves.
Hoppip and Skiploom
Hoppip is one of the first monsters you see in the game, and you can’t help but fall in love with his new spinning leaves that allow him to fly. Similarly, Skiploom has made some subtle changes to make him look a little more like a weird but cute weed puppy. Awww.
Igglybuff
A Pokémon that has always been a little creepy has now been redefined with its new size and weight. It actually gets blown away by the strong wind! If you still find it creepy, consider it a sweeping blessing instead.
Drowzee and Hypno
These odd Gen 1 designs needed some polishing, and while they’re still really unnerving to look at or be around, they’re more appealing. Drowzee has been lifted and dropped, and Hypno is still humanoid, but without being humanoid also human. We don’t mind seeing them around rather so much now.
Gastly and Haunter
These two ghostly guys now have a tendency to vanish in and out, making them pretty hard to find, but also managing to make them look like actual ghosts.
Magikarp
Magikarp is known for being, well… not the brighter fish in the school, and the animators made that quite clear with his ScarVi behavior. Magikarp now leaps out of the water and squirms, just like they do in Pokémon Stadium!
Dunsparce
How not to include this yellow idiot in the list? Old Sparcey not only gets a brand new (and very goofy) evolution, he also gets to slither through the grass like the weird slug/worm/bug/snake that he is. Slamming into a Dunsparce used to make us groan in annoyance, but now that he’s out in the world, we like to see his silly face on him.
Deerlings and Sawsbucks
Deer are cute, but mostly forgettable, let’s be honest. In Pokémon ScarVi, however, they have been reimagined as lovable wanderers of the meadows, occasionally accompanied by dad Sawsbuck, who frolic behind him like little ducklings. Or, well, Deerlings.
Girafarig
Girafarig has been around almost as long as Pikachu, but is often forgotten in favor of better known second generation monsters like Togepi, Marill and Wobbuffet. Thanks to his cute new evolution, Girafarig is once again one of the most coveted Pokédex entries of this generation, and Farigiraf finally provides a punchline to Girafarig’s decades-old joke.
Volturb
Oh, what a joy to see Voltorb rolling around. These Poké Ball-like Pokémon weren’t in Sword & Shield, nor were they truly in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, so this is the first time we’ve seen these guys fall into the deserts and explode whenever we dare to get close. It really gives them personality!
Idem
In previous games, Ditto has always been found in its raw, sticky form, before immediately taking the form of your Pokémon. Finally, in ScarVi, Ditto was given the chance to be what he’s always been: an imposter. You won’t find Ditto shaped like a Ditto in Paldea, but you could discovering that a Pineco or Shroomish was actually a Ditto in disguise. Makes finding cheeky slimes so much more fun!
Zorua
Speaking of Pokémon that like to pretend to be other Pokémon, we also love the redesign of Zorua. Like Ditto, Zorua will disguise itself as other Pokémon that appear in the same area, but unlike Ditto, Zorua Pokémon do so so that you leave them alone. That means they’ll run away once they spot you, which is one of the freebies that he’s actually a Zorua!
Swablu and Altaria
Is there anything that brings us more joy than seeing a flock of Swablu huddled next to their mother Altaria? Perhaps one thing: to see a group of Swablu asleep on a roof in one of the cities of Paldea. Reinventing Swablu as an ordinary bird is one of the main reasons we wish we could live in the world of Pokémon. They are so fluffy!
Tauros
Oh yeah, Tauros is cool now. This redesign of the black bull references Spain’s history with bulls, especially icons such as the Spanish Fighting Bull and the Osborne Bull.
Venonat and Venomoth
It’s just us, or you thought Venonat was too lowercase? Turns out not, Venonat is actually pretty big, but we don’t care: the Pokémon Veno line is actually pretty gorgeous, especially at night.
Pineco and Forretress
Forretress could be one of the biggest hits of this generation, because you made it view They? They’re glistening, they hover eerily, and they stick to trees like giant barbs.
Snom and Frostmoth
Frosmoth is very cute – round and fluffy like a baby in a winter coat – but Snom is where the magic happens. Snom’s little ice shell has been changed from a translucent white to a dark, shimmery blue that looks a lot more like ice than before.
Torkoal
Like Camerupt, Torkoal is right way meaner in Scarlet and Violet, with a real plume of smoke/steam rising from its lava shell. It’s just a little retexturing, but it makes a big difference
Sponk
Yup! Spoink deserves to Spoink around like a pig on a spring. That’s Spoink’s whole fate, and now, finally, Spoink becomes the cutest piggy bank there ever was.
