Pokemon Scarlet & Violet’s Switch 2 Update Doesn’t Fix The Games’ Biggest Problem

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In the latest installments of the main Pokemon series, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, there has been less than ideal player response since their launch. Issues such as bugs, glitches, and subpar graphics have led some to question whether these games were truly designed for the aging Nintendo Switch console. With the upcoming release of the Switch 2, a free optimization patch was introduced to address the graphic issues reported by players; however, this update did not yield the desired results.

Just as Pokemon Sword & Shield, Scarlet & Violet encountered some technical difficulties on the Nintendo Switch console. Characters, Pokemon, and scenery were affected by low framerates, blurry textures, and unforeseen Pokemon popping up within walls, buildings, and the ground. There were also problems with Tera Battles where players found themselves visually trapped on the floor during battles, causing their Pokemon to appear frozen.

Although certain problems such as the spawns and freezing were resolved through subsequent updates after release, gamers continued to grapple with subpar graphic performance. However, with the arrival of the next-gen Nintendo Switch, players now have access to a handheld console that can offer an enhanced gaming experience in terms of visual quality for enthusiasts.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Run Better on the Switch 2

Simultaneously with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, an update for Pokemon Scarlet & Violet became available at no cost, specifically designed to enhance the game’s functionality on all latest gaming systems. This improvement noticeably impacts the game’s performance. In fact, it significantly alters the way players engage and explore the game world.

The significant improvement is evident with no delay or lag. Players seamlessly navigate the camera, move through congested zones without skipping frames, and observe Paldea’s backdrops loading flawlessly with sharp clarity. Furthermore, an increased number of Pokemon appear, and they are more visible, significantly accelerating Shiny hunting endeavors.

Spending approximately eight hours delving into the post-game version of Violet on the Nintendo Switch 2 left no room for argument: it runs flawlessly. If only I could have enjoyed my initial playthrough with such smooth performance, without the inconvenience of lags and glitches that marred my journey through the region as I fought and navigated.

Yet, the revised graphics seem to expose one of Scarlet and Violet’s notable weaknesses, reinforcing a concern that could potentially arise due to the Nintendo Switch 2 update.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Are Not Good Games

Regardless of my deep-rooted affection for the series, my bias towards Galar over Paldea, and my desire to enjoy the new games, I must admit that Scarlet and Violet are not well-received titles, and the anticipated update for Nintendo Switch 2 only reinforced this viewpoint.

Prior to the launch of the major update, I had expressed my dissatisfaction with the game due to its performance issues. I assumed that my feelings of annoyance were caused by the gameplay itself, as the lag and scarcity of spawns made capturing creatures time-consuming. I also believed that I couldn’t fully enjoy the game’s open world on my older Switch, as it wasn’t capable of rendering the grand mountain ranges and extensive fields to their full potential.

After applying the fix, there was no longer any justification to ignore these problems. I find myself feeling annoyed as I travel through this world since it lacks interaction opportunities. The world seems empty because it lacks puzzles, fights, tasks, or hidden treasures. It appears to be designed for finding Shiny items rather than exploration. Now that there are no obstructions to the game’s spawn rates, open areas transform into Shiny mining grounds, but the towns and all other map locations remain unchanged and not particularly engaging.

Furthermore, I found out that the world I had assumed was limited by my Switch wasn’t as enchanting as I thought. In reality, the enhanced resolution and performance exposed the lackluster aspects of the backdrop. For instance, mountains appeared as lumpy masses in the distance, textures on the cliffside were dull and unappealing, and the same waving grass that covers every predominantly green location grew monotonous after extended periods of traversing through it.

Initially, I’d anticipated that the Nintendo Switch 2 might alter my perception of the Scarlet and Violet game. Regrettably, it only served to reinforce my deepest concerns: This game is not well-received, and no matter how much graphical enhancement it receives, it won’t magically transform into a good one.

Instead of just requiring a performance overhaul, Scarlet and Violet truly crave substantial content. They lack post-game challenges, captivating narratives, intriguing puzzles, or anything else that would challenge players beyond preparing sandwiches and waiting for Shiny Pokemon to appear in space. The rotating Tera Raid highlights don’t improve the situation either, as they simplify gameplay into nothing more than a gacha-style mechanic with an illusion of rarity and scarcity in battles that are neither enjoyable nor engaging. Prior to the Switch 2 update, Scarlet and Violet were underwhelming and blurry. Post-update, these games feel hollow and devoid of spirit.

I truly believe that Pokemon Legends: Z-A will reintroduce some classic features that made the gameplay enjoyable. Graphics were never the main focus, and no high-end console upgrade can revive a franchise if it has lost touch with what initially made its games great.

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2025-07-12 20:10