Pokemon Scarlet And Violet Teases Time Travel Storyline

If you thought Game Freak was done meddling in the past of the Pokemon series, you'd be wrong. After visiting Feudal Sinnoh for Pokemon Legends: Arceus, it sounds like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be another time travel adventure.

Since 1996, the Pokemon games have kept us coming back for more, as we're toured the regions from Kanto to Hisui to catch 'em all and try to be the very best (like no one ever was). As we prepare to welcome the likes of Quaxly, Smoliv, and Lechonk for the introduction of Gen IX, Scarlet and Violet looks like a breath of fresh air to the long-running franchise. 

Are Pokemon Scarlet And Violet About Time Travel?

Throwing fuel on the fire that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will be time travel tales, noted Pokemon leaker Riddler Khu posted on Twitter and shared an image of Steins;Gate - a niche anime about time travel. That would be enough to get tongues wagging, but as fans pointed out, Riddler Khu has altered the image. The inclusion of an altered metal upa has some thinking it's a steel variant, but others aren't convinced. 

When it was shared on Reddit, Pokefans grabbed their tinfoil hats and started guessing what this could mean. One wily theorist wrote, "The time travel allusion + the suggestion (by Khu) that this gen has its own take on Mega evolution makes me think these capsules are part of some Time based evolution gimmick." Others think it will just be another regional version of Voltorb like Arceus' gimmick. Remember though, Pokemon Journeys has already used time travel.

The idea of time travel in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet comes from the fact the new professors look like they come from completely different periods of time. While Professor Sada looks like a homage to prehistoric times thanks to animal skins and bones, the futuristic Professor Turo wouldn't look out of place on Team Galactic. It's the first time we've had two professors, and it's got us thinking why Game Freak would go to this effort unless it was part of the big gimmick. 

Pokemon Scarlet And Violet Release Date

If you want to jump into this Mediterranean-inspired region, there isn't long to wait. The Pokemon Scarlet and Violet release date for Nintendo Switch is November 18. Although some think Arceus is being forgotten before it even had a chance to be remembered, Scarlet and Violet are making waves as the first truly open-world Pokemon games. As the description reads: "You're free to explore at your leisure and not in an order dictated by the story."

The second half of 2022 has suffered major losses from the likes of Starfield and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, leaving it clear for Scarlet and Violet to swoop in. Then again, we have potential releases for Hogwarts Legacy and God of War Ragnarok to give the power of Pokemon a run for its money. Although Elden Ring looks destined to retain its crown as 2022's biggest game, let's not underestimate those little 'Mon. Scarlet and Violet could win on the 'aww factor' of Lechonk alone.