We're pretty sure no one has asked you to compare an olive, a mouse, and a pig before. Maybe? Hopefully not. Well, that's what we want to do today.
With the latest Pokémon Scarlet & Violet trailer, not only did we get a November release date, but we also got to see some brand new 'mons besides the three new starter Pokémon! And, well, we tip our Ash Ketchum caps to Game Freak and The Pokémon Company, because from what we've seen, generation 9's roster is going to be an eclectic and pretty incredible bunch.
This new trailer brought us three new regular Pocket Monsters alongside the two starring legendaries. If you're after the full stats and a Pokédex-style rundown, check out our ongoing list of all new Pokémon we've seen in the game so far — here we're going purely on feels and instinct.
So let's get reacquainted with them!
Pawmi
Well, here is what is most likely your 'Pikachu clone' of the generation. Every time we wonder if we need another Electric Mouse, one comes along and makes us go "awwwww!" Just look at it! Those warm little eyes radiate happiness. And we can't resist that little tuft of fur on its head — we want to just get in there and fluff it up a bit!
If we're going to be really picky, something different to electric cheek pouches could've been a nice touch.
Lechonk
Ah, star of social media. Lechonk might just have one of the best Pokémon names ever, and we can't resist a good laugh-out-loud pun here. We could go on about Lechonk for a while here — the sad eyes, the brown marks on its face, the pink snout and toes, the tiny little tail.
Pig Pokémon have often suffered with their evolutionary lines over the years, so we hope Lechonk gets the perfect evolution it so sorely deserves, otherwise we're never evolving ours.
Smoliv
Food Pokémon can be a little hit and miss, but Smoliv is definitely on the sweeter side. Its jagged mouth, vacant eyes, and wobbly posture make it look very anxious — and we're going to do everything we can to protect it. Please don't try and knock it over, whatever you do.
We do want to see the little fella with a smile, though. Don't tell us that's their only expression, Game Freak, we'll worry about him until we get the game! Even if they can go a week without eating or drinking, we'll still worry!
That's a pretty strong showing after our Grass/Fire/Water starter trio, who already make a cracking first impression back in February.
The Pokémon Company are being a little more cagey on details about Scarlet and Violet's legendaries, but let's go ahead and meet them too, shall we?
Koraidon and Miraidon
Definitely two of the most interesting legendary designs we've seen for a while, with pretty striking colour palettes. All we've got to go on are the looks, and first impressions are pretty dazzling.
Koraidon, on the left, has a pretty prehistoric bird/lizard design. Is that a smug grin on its face, too? Well, with plumes like that, we'd probably be feeling pretty smug too. The mix of colours is also just right — the white and black on the body and tail, along with the blue and pink on the feathers — because it breaks up the boldness of the red.
Miraidon is much more unnatural — in a good way! Is that energy or electricity running through it? Its purple 'skin' looks metallic. It's floating. There's a lot of unusual stuff going on here that's really fun — like someone smooshed Lunala together with Zekrom and added a few robot parts. The pixelated eyes are just the icing on the cake, And we love the different shades of purple and the splashes of luminescent yellow on its body.
So, with everything we know about these new Pokémon, and a few days in our belt, we've all had a bit of time to reflect, fawn, obsess, and think about these new little (and large) critters. Have Wooloo and Morpeko been dethroned by Lechonk and Pawmi? Do Koraidon and Miraidon trounce Zacian and Zamazenta? And — what we really want to know — who's your pick of the pack for the best Pokémon from Scarlet and Violet so far?
Vote in our polls below to let us know, then have a gab about your picks in the comments! We know, it's hard, but we believe in you — you can pick!
Further reading:
Comments 63
Gotta be Pawmi. Such an adorable little critter.
I'm not super excited about the legendaries but they're both ok. Koraidon is likely the one I'll have so I'm trying to warm up to it more.
All the regular Pokemon so far look like Pokemon to me and are very nice.
The legendaries seem over-designed to me and like something out of a Pokemon imitation series.
Lechonk ofc!!! Is that even a question!?!
Smoliv, Lechonk is too plain looking.
Lechonk is a cute little piggums. I don't give a crud about the legendaries.
Like both the Legendaries, gonna be tough picking a version. Hoping Koraidon's throat tire spins like a saw. Still think Pawmi looks like an Awoofy from Kirby & the Forgotten Land.
Tough choice between Smoliv and Lechonk since they're both incredibly friend shaped, but I'm going to go with Smoliv due to how they managed to make a literal olive so damn endearing and lovable with a simple permanent expression of anxiety. Koraidon is also the better Legendary, no contest.
It’s a very tough choice this generation but I’m thinking I’m going to go with Pawmi. It seems to embody the pure essence of “Pokémon” the most, at least what I consider to be.
Not that the other 2 don’t, it’s just Pawmi seems the most.
I am soooo excited for this!
I voted for Miraidon, Futuristic Iguanodon.
Lechonk is the only one that looked unique to me, outside the legendaries. I’m probably going to end up getting both versions of the game this time since I’m about 90% getting my son a Switch Lite for his birthday in September. He won’t be able to read it in full just yet (he’s 4 going on 5), but I can see him improving his reading just to play the game. I think I’ll take the Violet copy and give him Scarlet. And that’s 100% based on the legendaries. Now, if certain Pokémon are exclusive to certain versions, that may change my opinion, but I’ve tended to prefer the “blue side” rosters anyway.
We’re at the point where there’s too many pokemon and the only ones that are memorable to me are from Red and Blue and X and Y. I’m probably going to be skipping all future gens unless I see something interesting.
@somnambulance I went through this recently. 4 or 5 is way too young for the games - even Let's Go. There is too much reading and the puzzle solving frustrates them. You'll end up playing it for them - which is probably the plan anyway I assume.
The pokemon "aceituna" is adorable!
As much as I like olives - and I do - I will not abide any Pokemon who falls from such low texture tree limbs. It is either full realism branches and leaves swaying in real-time wind effects or GTFO.
I'm just happy they look like animals so far. 7 and especially 8th gen had waaaay too many humanoid Pokemon
Not really super enthusiastic about any of the new Pokemon aside from the legendaries, but dear Arceus did they nail the legendary designs this gen. Kuraidon looks so tribal and barbaric, while mai boi Miraidon looks like a freaking robo dragon. And they both look like freaking motorcycles (which seems to fit a certain rumor that's been going around), it would be amazing ride either of those two. Of course, Miraidon looks better, with the jet engines and looking like a freaking hover cycle. And those LED pixel lights for eyes? Very cool.
Seems lechonk is clear favourite, yet when the game comes out he will be useless end game and end up being forgotten 😂
@Kieroni
I personally prefer humanoid looking Pokemons such as Sawk, Lucario, etc as they have cool design as fighter.
I was expecting the huge lead from Lechonk but I myself vastly prefer Pawmi. It's just so adorable! I like Koraidon's design better than Miraidon too. Anyone else think Miraidon's neck looks unnatural with that curve?
Pawmi is just adorable.
I don't like olives. So I'm not too hot on Smoliv. But that could change once I see it's next stages.
I do like that Lechonk seems to have an IDGAF kind of aura about it. I have seen people complain that it's name is too memeish and is in reference to a meme..I can't say I've seen any memes in relation to the the name. I did see someone point out, on Reddit, that it's name may be derived from a particular pork dish with a similar name. I assume the chonk part is in reference to it being chunky.
@Takoda
Koraidon was like Harley Davidson motorbike while Miraidon was like anti-gravity jet ski with floating wheel on its neck.
They're all amazing honestly. I cannot choose.
I don’t even play Pokémon and I am smitten with Lechonk.
Don't really like any of the new Pokémon (not yet anyways, they could always grow on me).
Smoliv based on its evolved form. The others will grow on me too I have no doubt.
I love pork and definitely hate olives
Inb4 le epic meme Reddit pig wins.
@somnambulance Pretty good idea, though you probably will have to help him through the reading portions some. My niece loved Gabrielle's Ghostly Groove and was probably the only (around) kindergarten kid who could read words like werewolf and zombie. I would read a lot 2/3rd of it and she would read for certain characters.
Lechonk in the moment, but I can see it swinging to Smoliv depending on how their evolutions turn out.
Legendaries I think I prefer the Violet one but they're both way too overdesigned. Though I'm really usually not fond of mascot legendaries anyway.
@somnambulance I had the exact same idea! Mainly for the idea of co-op. My little bloke is a weapon at Kirby's new game, BUT definitely the reading and more complex actions stump him at the same 4yr going on 5 next April age bracket. Best I've found, at least with Legends Arceus is give them a go out in the wilds he loves it. I'm using the Gen 9 games and Legends Arceus as a "Carrot" to take more interest in reading and words though. I reckon 6+ would be the very beginning of soloish play for little kids.
(The co-op in Kirby's game is excellent for 4-5)
None of them so far, honestly. Most my favorite mons come in final forms, so the early stages and legendaries just don't do it for me. In fact, only Mewtwo seems to be the only legendary I have a fondness for.
I hope Pawmi evolves. It looks destined to be a red panda.
I'm not gravitating toward any design besides the Violet legendary, Miraidon, within the new Pokemon reveals. Definitely feel Sword & Shield had a better introduction beyond the starters.
I like Smoliv, and he would probably be my favorite if he didn't remind me so much of Oddish. I might still flip, but for now Lechonk takes it.
Legendaries both look good. I dare say these are my favorite legendaries in a long, long time. What can I say, I'm a sucker for dragons and dinosaurs, and when you've got one feathered-dino-dragon and one Mechagodzilla-dragon it's almost impossible to pick one. Voting for Koraidon because it feels like it has just a little more personality, but I might as well just flip a coin - they're both awesome.
Futuristic space-lizard all the way.
Also, if we don't have a way to ride both legendries in the overworld like we do our bikes, I'm going to be disappointed
LECHONK (lechonk)
Lechonk!!! It's fun to say, it's fun to type, it's fun to look at.
Pawmi is cute but also looks like it will bite your hand off for some food. idk why
Not a single one nor the legendaries look good. Sorry if my opinion hurts you. These are all low effort by artistic and Pokémon gen 1 standards.
2/3 of the starters look awesome. Everything else I’ve seen so far falls flat for me.
Everyone seems to be all aboard the Lechonk train but I'm not really into it. I saw it and was like, yeah I like Spoink and Tepig better... It's probably the early game normal type, I'm not gonna use it.
They mentioned Lechonk is a pun. A pun for what exactly? Also so I'm guessing there's no water starter?
The small pokemon are all really cute. Pawmi's definitely near the top of my list of off-brand Pikachus. The legendaries are absurdly overdesigned, but that's been a common problem with legendaries for a long time.
@Chris1991 These are not the starters, only the new pokemons shown in the last trailer.
"Lechon" in spanish (and this regions is based on Spain) means baby pig, a word mostly used for a popular dish in this country.
I chose Lechonk and Koraidon! Both of those Pokemon look fantastic and endgame for my party. I don't play Pokemon for the competitive scene so just having two Pokemon that would remain in my endgame party is good enough for me. I could never choose anyone but Lechonk as my main "ordinary" Pokemon.
I'll have the Lechonk, please.
I like the colors of Koraidon a lot, but as others have said, the legendaries just feel too over-designed for my liking atm. Of the little ones, probably Lechonk.
Lechonk is cute in its own little way.
Not really feeling these legendaries, but that's okay, I love last gen's Zacian and Zamazenta a lot, so I'm happy. lol
I'm reserving judgement until I see more new Pokémon. Right now, they're just teasing us with eight new Pokémon (The five shown and the three starters.). I'm just waiting until they add more.
@Sonos It’s probably like trying to lead Dougie Jones around an insurance agency
@Koda1000 "These are all low effort by artistic and Pokémon gen 1 standards."
If Pokémon like Pidgey , Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Rattata, Raticate, Spearow, Fearow, Ekans, Arbok, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Venomoth, Diglett, Dugtrio, Meowth, Persian, Tentacool, Tentacruel, Geodude, Ponyta, Seel, Grimer, Muk, Shellder, Cloyster, Krabby, Kingler, Voltorb, Electrode, and more I don't feel like naming all 'high in artistic effort' to you, you must be shocked in awe at the artistic talent of children who draw crude shapes with faces on them.
Keep sippin' the Kool-Aid my guy - and don't stop to breath either. It'll benefit everyone if you don't.
@Anachronism Mhh yes, dog with sword & dog with shield is much overdesign. Too complex TBH.
Late, but I'm getting big Wooloo vibes from Lechonk. It's gonna evolve and people are gonna not care it or forget it exists anymore.
Lechonk is already destined to be a part of my playthrough team
None of them are bugs, so none
ID APPRECIATE IF NINTENDOLIFE COULD NOT*** SPOIL NEW POKES IN THE THUMBNAILS PRE RELEASE THX.
That being said. the olive one is my fav out of what was spoiled. and i was unimpressed with the legendaries. they look too similar to each other. and i dont care for their designs. They couldve made a different rayquaza form for the region and i wouldve been happier lol. The colors and feathers are cool. just not into the bellies or lizard faces they gave them.
@Saturn589 @FusedAbc @Sonos It’s a partial plan that then his mom can play if he gets frustrated, but he’s also really intelligent for his age. He has an advanced vocabulary, in terms of speaking words (I swear, we just moved this weekend and I believe he’s more eloquent than the 11 year old next door), and I think he’d be more advanced in reading if he didn’t get complacent and have me read things to him. I did read Arceus out loud though, most of it, and he watched.
I’ll have to check out Gabrielle’s Ghostly Groove. Zombie, werewolf, etc., he likes that kind of stuff. He wants to be a Ghostbuster scientist when he grows up. I honestly didn’t think to try the Kirby co-op with him since I sort of rushed through the game for Elden Ring, but I’ve made it through that. Maybe it’s time to go back? Well, once my new house is in a proper place. A lot of work I need to do, so my personal gaming will probably diminish for a while. Doesn’t mean he can’t try it out though, or I can’t get him started… to distract him while I’m putting down flooring.
@somnambulance No doubt. My daughter was an advanced reader towards the end of her 5th year - but still not at a level for Mons. You don't notice it as you get older but if you cant read - you really can't play the traditional Pokemons at all. Even if you could it takes away from the magic...which is really the story. I decided to hold off until she wants to play it and completely find it herself - if that's what she wants to do.
Side note: for my 7 and 6 year old the biggest hitters are/were: Paper Mario and Kirby. Paper Mario - I drove and had them help me with puzzles and boss strategies. I never played without them. It took two years to complete! One of my best game experiences too.
Koraidon for both!
Although I do think Lechonk is pretty darn cool too.
I'm still on the Smoliv sucks train, but Lechonk is so funny looking. I actually love Koraidon's look (minus the weird motorcycle things).
@shoeses I'm a lot more bothered by the execution than the concept. Zacian looks ok most of the time, but if you think Zamazenta isn't 100% ridiculous, then we have nothing to discuss. Same goes for the Tapus, Necrozma alts, Zygarde 100%, all the gen V legendaries, Dialga/Palkia, and most mythic pokemon. The ultra beasts are pretty absurd too, but that fits with their theme, so they get a pass.
@Royalblues not my point. Nintendo life has kept poke spoliers out of the thumbnails b4. I'm only reminding them to show some consideration for others who want to exp the game fresh. Also I don't watch TV lol. Strictly anime. So I miss 100% of any commercials.
@Royalblues Thx! i actually liked pyrahh too before her destiny took hold of her. The music really brings the whole series home. so goood. xo, i actually stopped watching after vol 5 i think. just more anime took ahold of me and or i kinda got burned out some lol. so still havent finished what there is yet. tho i do check in each vol release for the new music haha.
im mostly into isekai anime. Right now im currently watching quite a few but out of those the ones im anticipating more of are skeleton knight in another world, tsukimichi moonlight fantasy, the fruit of evolution, trapped in a dating sim, spy x family, and Owl house (a cartoon). Aharen Is Indecipherable (is also descent, tho slice of life doesnt draw me as much so havent continued it lately). Basically anything that is otherwordly or abnormal i will give it a try. that and a bit of romance are my main draws. My hero academia is a given tho i havent finished the latest season. Froppy is the waifu. lol
my favorite anime is Tsubasa Reservior chronicles., followed by Sekirei, and akb0048 ig XD (idols in space adventure anime)
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