Each new Pokemon generation offers new stories, makeovers and evolutions to some of the most overlooked “mons” in the “dex”, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is no different. Even though we only have a handful of regional variations In Paldea, that doesn’t mean ScarVi hasn’t revitalized and reinvented some of the returning Pokemon that roam its open world.
We’ve rounded up our favorite Pokémon glows from Gen 9, from cool revamps to rehabilitating some Pokémon we thought were a little uncool before.
Here is our shortlist!
The Best Pokémon Glow Ups in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
camerupt
Pure and simple, Camerupt’s subtle redesign makes it look like a BOSS. We’ve never been so worried about the Numel line – they’re just hot camels, whatever – but Camerupt’s subtle retexturing finally makes it look as cool as it deserves.
Hoppip and Skiploom
Hoppip is one of the first ‘mons you see in the game, and you can’t help but fall in love with his new spinning leaves that allow him to fly. Likewise, Skiploom made some subtle tweaks to make him look a bit more like a weird-but-cute grass pup. Awww.
iglybuff
A Pokémon that has always been a bit creepy has now been re-cute with its new size and weight. In fact, it is carried away by strong winds! If you still find it scary, consider it a blessing that flies away instead.
Drowzee and Hypno
These bizarre Gen 1 designs needed polishing up, and while they’re still very unnerving to look at or be around, they’re more appealing. Drowzee has been pushed around and abandoned, and Hypno is still humanoid, but without being too Human. We don’t mind seeing them around enough so much now.
Gastly and Haunter
Both of these creepy types now tend to disappear, which makes them quite hard to find, but also manages to make them look like real ghosts.
Magikarp
Magikarp is known to be, well… not the the brightest fish in the school, and the animators made that clear with his ScarVi behavior. Magikarp now jumps out of the water and collapses, just like they do in Pokemon Stadium!
Dunsparce
How not to include this yellow idiot on the list? Ol’ Sparcey not only gets an all-new (and very goofy) evolution, but he can also slither through the grass like the weird slug/worm/insect/snake that he is. Colliding with a Dunsparce made us groan in annoyance, but now that he’s in the world, we like to see his stupid face.
Deerling and Sawsbuck
Deer are cute, but mostly forgettable, let’s be honest. In Pokémon ScarVi, however, they’ve been reimagined as adorable meadow wanderers, sometimes accompanied by a Papa Sawsbuck, frolicking behind him like baby ducklings. Or else, Deerlings.
Girafarig
Girafarig has been around for almost as long as Pikachu, but is often overlooked in favor of better-known Gen 2 mons like Togepi, Marill, and Wobbuffet. Thanks to his cute new evolution, Girafarig is once again one of this generation’s most coveted Pokédex entries, and Farigiraf finally delivers a punchline to Girafarig’s decades-long joke.
Voltorb
Oh, what a joy to see Voltorb rolling. These Poké Ball-Like Pokémon Weren’t In Sword & Shield, And They Aren’t Either really in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, then, this is the first time we see these guys tumbling through the deserts and exploding every time we dare to approach them. It really gives them personality!
Same
In previous games, Ditto has always been found in its raw, slimy form, before immediately taking on the form of your Pokemon. Finally, in ScarVi, Ditto got the chance to be what he always was: an impostor. You won’t find Ditto-shaped dittos in Paldea, but you will strength discover that a Pineco or Shroomish was actually a Ditto in disguise. This makes finding the cheeky slimes a whole lot more fun!
Zorua
Speaking of Pokémon that like to pretend to be other Pokémon, we also like Zorua’s redesign. Like Ditto, Zorua will disguise itself as other Pokemon that spawn in the same area, but unlike Ditto, Zorua Pokemon do this to get you to leave them alone. This means that they will run away once they spot you, which is one of the signs that it is in fact a Zorua!
Swablu and Altaria
Is there anything that brings us more joy than seeing a herd of Swablu snuggle up to their mother Altaria? Maybe one thing – seeing a bunch of Swablu sleeping on a rooftop in one of Paldea’s towns. Reinventing Swablu as a common bird is one of the main reasons we wish we could live in the world of Pokemon. They are so soft!
Taurus
Oh yes, Tauros is cool now. This revamp of the Black Bull references Spain’s history with bulls, especially icons like the Spanish Fighting Bull and the Osborne Bull.
Venonat and Venomoth
Is it just us, or did you also think that Venonat was tiny? Turns out no, Venonat is actually quite large, but we don’t mind that – the Veno line of Pokemon is actually quite gorgeous, especially at night.
Pineco and Forretress
Forretress is perhaps one of the biggest glimmers of this generation, because have you seen their? They’re shiny, they float weirdly, and they stick to trees like gigantic smudges.
Snom and Frostmoth
Frosmoth is very cute – all round and fluffy like a toddler in a winter coat – but Snom is where the magic happens. Snom’s small shell of ice has changed from a translucent white to a dark, shimmering blue that looks much more like ice than before.
Torkoal
Like Camerupt, Torkoal is just way more bad-ass in Scarlet and Violet, with a veritable plume of smoke/steam rising from its lava shell. It’s just a little retexturing, but it makes a big difference
Spoink
Yes! Spoink deserves to Spoink like a pig on a spring. It’s all about Spoink’s destiny, and now, finally, Spoink becomes the cutest little piggy ever.
