Every new generation of Pokémon offers new stories, makeovers, and evolutions to some of the more overlooked 'mons in the 'dex, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is no different. Although we've only got a handful of regional variations in Paldea, that doesn't mean that ScarVi hasn't revitalised and re-imagined some of the returning Pokémon that frolic across its open world.
We've rounded up our favourite Pokémon glow ups from Gen 9, from the cool redesigns to the rehabilitation of some Pokémon that we thought were kinda uncool before.
Here's 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 were never that fussed about the Numel line — it's just hot camels, who cares — but the subtle retexturing of Camerupt finally lets it look as cool as it deserves to.
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 its new rotating leaves which enable it to fly. Likewise, Skiploom has had some subtle tweaks done to make it look a bit more like a weird-but-cute grass puppy. Awww.
Igglybuff
A Pokémon that's always been a bit creepy has now been re-cute-ified with its new size and weight. It actually gets blown away in high winds! If you still find it creepy, then consider it a blessing that it blows away, instead.
Drowzee and Hypno
These weirdo Gen 1 designs needed a bit of a polish up, and though they're still really unnerving to look at or be around, they're more appealing. Drowzee has been pudged up and dropped down, and Hypno is still humanoid, but without being too human. We don't mind seeing them around quite as much, now.
Gastly and Haunter
These two spoooky guys now have a tendency to fade in and out, making them quite hard to find, but also succeeding in making them look like actual ghosties.
Magikarp
Magikarp is know for being, well... not the brightest fish in the school, and the animators have made that quite clear with its ScarVi behaviour. Magikarp now jump out of the water and flop around, just like they do in Pokémon Stadium!
Dunsparce
How could we not include this yellow idiot on the list? Ol' Sparcey not only gets a brand new (and very goofy) evolution, he also gets to slither around in the grass like the weird slug/worm/bug/snake that he is. Bumping into a Dunsparce used to make us groan with annoyance, but now he's out in the world, we quite like seeing his stupid face.
Deerling and Sawsbuck
Deerling are cute, but mostly forgettable, let's be honest. In Pokémon ScarVi, though, they've been reinvented as adorable meadow-wanderers, occasionally accompanied by a papa Sawsbuck, frolicking behind him like baby ducklings. Or, well, Deerlings.
Girafarig
Girafarig has been around almost as long as Pikachu, but often gets forgotten in favour of more well-known Gen 2 'mons like Togepi, Marill, and Wobbuffet. Thanks to its cute new evolution, Girafarig is once again one of the more coveted Pokédex entries of this generation, and Farigiraf finally provides a punchline to Girafarig's decades-long joke.
Voltorb
Oh, what a joy it is to see Voltorb rolling around. These Poké Ball-like Pokémon weren't in Sword & Shield, nor were they really in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, so this is the first time we get to see these lads tumbling around deserts and exploding any time we dare to come close. It really gives them personality!
Ditto
In previous games, Ditto has always been found in its raw, goopy form, before assuming the form of your Pokémon immediately. Finally, in ScarVi, Ditto has been given the chance to be what it always was: An imposter. You won't find Ditto-shaped Dittos out in Paldea, but you might discover that a Pineco or Shroomish was actually a Ditto in disguise. It makes looking for the cheeky slimes way more fun!
Zorua
Speaking of Pokémon that like to pretend to be other Pokémon, we're also loving Zorua's redesign. Like Ditto, Zorua will disguise itself as other Pokémon that appear in the same area, but unlike Ditto, the Zorua Pokémon are doing it so that you'll leave them alone. This means that they'll run away once they spot you, which is one of the giveaways that it's actually a Zorua!
Swablu and Altaria
Does anything bring us more joy than seeing a flock of Swablu snuggling up to their mama Altaria? Maybe one thing — seeing a bunch of sleeping Swablu on a roof in one of Paldea's cities. Reinventing Swablu as a common bird is one of the main reasons we wish we could live in the world of Pokémon. They're so fluffy!
Tauros
Oh yeah, Tauros is cool now. This black bull redesign references Spain's history with bulls, in particular, 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 — the Veno line of Pokémon is actually quite gorgeous, especially at night.
Pineco and Forretress
Forretress might be one of the biggest glow-ups this generation, because have you seen them? They're shiny, they hover around weirdly, and they stick to trees like gigantic burrs.
Snom and Frosmoth
Frosmoth is very cute — all round and fluffy like a toddler in a winter coat — but Snom is where the magic happens. Snom's little ice shell has been changed from a translucent white into a dark, sparkly blue that looks far more like ice than before.
Torkoal
Like Camerupt, Torkoal is just way more bad-ass in Scarlet and Violet, with an actual plume of smoke/steam rising from out of its lava shell. It's just a small retexturing, but it makes a big difference
Spoink
Yes! Spoink deserves to Spoink around like a pig on a spring. That is Spoink's entire destiny, and now, at last, Spoink gets to be the cutest little piggy-pogo that there's ever been.