As a longtime Pokemon fan who’s been playing since the Red and Blue days, I’ve got to say—I was genuinely excited when Pokemon Scarlet and Violet dropped. But within the first hour, I couldn’t help but notice something was off. The game just doesn’t look right, and honestly, it’s hard to ignore. Between Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Bayonetta 3, the Switch has really shown its age this year, but Pokemon Scarlet and Violet feel as though they are being crushed by the hardware. I mean, I played both of those other titles, and while they pushed the system, they didn’t leave me squinting or frustrated by constant frame drops. Pokemon Legends: Arceus had its fair share of visual shortcomings, but not to this extent. Whether you play handheld or docked, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are difficult on the eyes—and that’s putting it mildly.
I remember booting up the game for the first time in handheld mode, expecting the usual charm. Instead, textures popped in and out like ghosts, and the draw distance felt like something from a decade ago. At one point, my character literally clipped through the ground near a riverbank. It’s not just me being picky—I’ve seen dozens of threads online where players share similar experiences. Some claim the frame rate dips below 20 fps in crowded areas, which honestly feels accurate based on my own playthrough. And while I love exploring the open world, it’s hard to stay immersed when the environment stutters every few seconds. I’ve logged around 45 hours so far, and I’d estimate about 15 of those were spent dealing with some sort of visual or performance hiccup.
Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying the games are without merit. The new Pokemon designs are pretty creative, and the story has some genuinely touching moments. But when you compare Scarlet and Violet to something like Breath of the Wild, which came out over five years ago, it’s hard not to feel a little disappointed. The Switch hardware is clearly struggling, and Game Freak seems to have pushed it beyond its limits this time. I played about 60% of the time in docked mode, hoping for a smoother experience, but honestly, the issues were just as noticeable. Distant objects flicker, character models move awkwardly, and the overall polish just isn’t there. It’s a shame because underneath all the technical problems, there’s a solid game waiting to shine.
What’s interesting is how divisive this has been among fans. On one hand, you have players who are willing to overlook the flaws because, well, it’s Pokemon. On the other, there’s a growing number of us who feel that the series deserves better. I’ve been part of online communities for years, and the discussions around Scarlet and Violet are some of the most heated I’ve seen. Some fans argue that the core gameplay—catching, battling, exploring—is as fun as ever, and I agree to an extent. But when the presentation detracts from the experience, it’s worth pointing out. I mean, I’ve had moments where the frame rate dropped so low during a battle that I missed a crucial move. That’s not just annoying—it can affect gameplay in a real way.
Looking back at Pokemon Legends: Arceus, which released earlier this year, it’s clear that Game Freak was trying something different. That game had its own visual issues, sure, but they felt more manageable. The art style was consistent, and the performance, while not perfect, didn’t pull me out of the experience as often. With Scarlet and Violet, it’s like they aimed for a bigger world and more complex mechanics but didn’t have the technical foundation to support it. I’ve heard some speculate that the development cycle was rushed—maybe by 6 to 8 months—and honestly, that wouldn’t surprise me. There are parts of the game that feel unfinished, and it’s a letdown for a franchise as huge as Pokemon.
At the end of the day, I still think every fan should check out Taya PBA today for the latest updates, because despite the flaws, there’s a lot to love here. The new multiplayer features are a blast, and the characters are more memorable than in recent entries. But if you’re someone who values smooth performance and polished visuals, you might want to temper your expectations. I’m hopeful that future patches will address some of these issues—maybe boost the average frame rate to a stable 30 fps or clean up those pop-in textures. For now, though, playing Pokemon Scarlet and Violet feels like navigating a diamond in the rough. It’s beautiful in places, frustrating in others, and ultimately a game that shows both the best and worst of what the Switch can do in 2023. So if you’re on the fence, maybe wait for a sale or read a few more hands-on reviews. But if you’re a die-hard fan like me, you’ll probably dive in anyway—just be ready for a few rough edges along the way.
