Pokémon Day commemorates the initial release of the, now, multimillion-dollar franchise. This year’s Pokémon Day was a little special with the unveiling of the next generation: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

The two new games mark the franchise’s 9th entry in its mainstream games. More significantly, it’s the first mainstream game to adopt an open-world adventure format. Before this, mainstream games had strict, linear gameplay that guided players from one town to another advancing the game’s plot. However, this changed with Pokémon Sword and Shield with small open world areas known as “wild areas”. Following this, Pokémon Legends Arceus advanced the franchise further into open-world gameplay. However, Scarlet and Violet will be the first to do it in a mainstream game.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will take players to a brand-new region inspired by the real-world Iberian region which consists of Spain and Portugal. The Pokémon Company hasn’t yet revealed the name of the region. However, early game footage shows a vast, open-world with buildings and landmarks inspired by the Spanish and Portuguese. Together with these landmarks, we’re also treated to some familiar faces including Pikachu, Psyduck, Lucario, Stonjurner and Larvitar.

Meet Sprigatito, Fuecoco & Quaxly

However, the hallmark of any new generation announcement is the three “starter” Pokémon. Players will choose between them as they start their journeys. The ninth generation of mainstream games sees three new Pokémon: Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly. While they still follow the Grass-Fire-Water type triangle, the new starters give us a little insight into the style of the new series.

Sprigatito is a new cat Pokémon and the grass starter for the region. The official description lists it as the “Grass Cat Pokémon”. It’s the second feline starter in the franchise so far; the previous one being Litten of the Alolan region.

Fuecoco is a new crocodile inspired Pokémon and is the fire starter for the region as the name suggests. The new “Fire Croc Pokémon” is also the second crocodile starter in the franchise after Totodile in the Johto region.

Quaxly, on the other hand, is the first duck starter Pokémon to date and is the water starter Pokémon of the new region.

That’s about all the information we have so far about the ninth generation Pokémon games. However, we can expect more information in the coming months as the game is slated to release on the Nintendo Switch later in 2022. Yep – that’s right, this year.