Pokémon Scarlet vs Violet: Which Version to Buy (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Buy Scarlet if you want to ride a prehistoric dinosaur and catch ancient-form Pokémon; buy Violet if a futuristic robot and cybernetic Pokémon designs are your thing.
Both versions of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet released on November 18, 2022, for Nintendo Switch. They share the same story, the same open-world Paldea region, and the same 400-Pokémon base Pokédex.
The only real differences are your cover Legendary, the version-exclusive Paradox Pokémon you encounter, and which professor you're working with. Secondhand prices in October 2026 sit at $34.99–$39.99 for both, down roughly 40% from their $59.99 launch MSRP.
At a glance
| Pokémon Scarlet | Pokémon Violet | |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | November 18, 2022 | November 18, 2022 |
| MSRP at launch | $59.99 (press.pokemon.com) | $59.99 (press.pokemon.com) |
| Cover Legendary | Koraidon | Miraidon |
| Legendary theme | Ancient / prehistoric | Future / technology |
| Version-exclusive Paradox forms | Ancient (Great Tusk, Flutter Mane, Roaring Moon, and others) | Iron (Iron Valiant, Iron Bundle, Iron Hands, and others) |
| Version-exclusive evolution | Armarouge (Fire/Psychic) | Ceruledge (Fire/Ghost) |
| Professor | AI Sada | AI Turo |
| Observed floor (Oct 8, 2026) | $34.99 | $34.99 |
On this page 5 sections
Where Scarlet wins
Koraidon: your ride from hour one
Koraidon is a dinosaur-based Legendary that doubles as your bike, swimmer, climber, and glider for the entire game. You obtain it within the first hour and use it for all 40-plus hours of the main story.
Unlike Sword and Shield's Zacian and Zamazenta, which appear only at the game's end, Koraidon is your constant companion from almost the first moment you step into Paldea. If a dinosaur transport appeals over a robot, that preference matters here from minute one.
Ancient Paradox Pokémon
Scarlet's version exclusives are Ancient Paradox forms: prehistoric versions of Pokémon you already know. Flutter Mane (ancient Misdreavus) is a standout Ghost/Fairy type with exceptional Special Attack. Roaring Moon (ancient Salamence) runs a Dragon/Dark typing that no other Scarlet-exclusive matches for sheer presence.
Great Tusk, the ancient Donphan, became a mainstay in competitive play after the games launched in 2022. These designs lean natural and prehistoric in their aesthetic, in contrast to Violet's mechanical future-tech forms.
Armarouge: the Psychic knight
Armarouge is the Scarlet-only evolution of Charcadet. It's a Fire/Psychic type armored knight. The only way to evolve Charcadet into it is with an Auspicious Armor item found exclusively in Scarlet.
Violet players need a trade to get one. The Ceruledge vs Armarouge comparison covers the TCG and plush side of this version split in detail.
Where Violet wins
Miraidon: a futuristic machine companion
Miraidon is Violet's cover Legendary: a sleek, electric-type robotic creature that transforms into your transport. It rides, swims, climbs, and glides just like Koraidon.
The visual difference is significant for a game where your mount is on-screen constantly. Miraidon leans into clean lines and a mechanical aesthetic that Scarlet's dinosaur does not share.
Iron Paradox Pokémon
Violet's version-exclusive Paradox forms carry an "Iron" prefix and read as future-tech robots built from familiar species. Iron Valiant is the standout: a Ghost/Fighting type that fuses visual elements of both Gardevoir and Gallade, with no Ancient Paradox counterpart in Scarlet.
Iron Bundle (the cybernetic Delibird) and Iron Hands (a robotic Hariyama) round out the Violet-only roster with strong competitive utility. The full Scarlet and Violet Pokédex and version data is documented at Serebii.
Ceruledge: the Ghost/Fire blademaster
Ceruledge is Violet's answer to Armarouge. It evolves from the same Charcadet using a Malicious Armor item found only in Violet.
Fire/Ghost is an offensive combination that Armarouge's Fire/Psychic does not match, and Ceruledge's design pulls sharper, darker lines. Scarlet players need a trade to get one.
The deciding question
If you or whoever you're buying for has a preference between dinosaurs and robots, that is your answer. The cover Legendary is your active companion for the entire game, not a creature tucked away until the credits roll.
If you're buying for a child with no strong opinion, Violet has an edge in gift contexts: Miraidon's sleek look photographs better on packaging, and Iron Bundle became a minor fan favorite for its robotic Delibird design. For a player interested in competitive play, Violet's Iron Valiant is the more sought-after Paradox Pokémon in the post-launch metagame compared to Scarlet's equivalents, though both versions have strong competitive options.
One note on cartridge-only listings: secondhand shops regularly list the game without its original case. The cartridge plays identically to a complete-in-box copy. The $34.99 cartridge-only listings observed in October 2026 are $5 cheaper than the full-box $39.99 listings from the same sellers.
Both versions work on original Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Neither has a dedicated Switch 2 build. For Switch 2 owners, both run in backward-compatibility mode without Switch 2-specific enhancements.
See the full Pokémon Switch game guide if you're comparing Scarlet/Violet against other entries like Legends: Z-A or Brilliant Diamond.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pokémon Scarlet or Violet better?
Neither is objectively better. Both have identical story, gameplay, and main Pokédex.
Scarlet players prefer ancient Paradox Pokémon and Koraidon; Violet players prefer Iron Paradox forms and Miraidon. The version-exclusive evolutionary item for Charcadet (Armarouge in Scarlet, Ceruledge in Violet) is the one gameplay-relevant difference that pushes some players toward one version.
What is the main difference between Scarlet and Violet?
The cover Legendary, the version-exclusive Paradox Pokémon (ancient vs. future forms), and the version-exclusive evolution of Charcadet. Everything else, including the story, map, and non-exclusive Pokémon, is identical between versions.
Can Scarlet and Violet players trade with each other?
Yes. Link Trade, Surprise Trade, and the Union Circle all work between players on different versions. This is the only way to obtain version exclusives without buying both games.
Do you need both Scarlet and Violet to complete the Pokédex?
Yes, for a complete Pokédex you need to trade version exclusives with someone on the other version. Both games cover most of the Pokédex on their own, but neither includes the other version's Paradox Pokémon or version-exclusive evolutions.
Is there a price difference between Scarlet and Violet?
Not in practice. Both versions sit at $34.99 (cartridge only) to $39.99 (complete in box) at secondhand shops in October 2026, a 33–42% drop from the $59.99 launch MSRP. Neither version commands a meaningful premium over the other at current secondhand prices.
Browse both versions and other Pokémon Nintendo Switch games at the DexHaul video games collection, where independent shops list used and sealed copies across multiple currencies.
Catch 'em all
More Pokémon Scarlet and Violet finds from independent shops.