Updates are planned for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet after release. The first of these updates is version 1.0.1, which will become available the day of the games’ release. Downloading the version 1.0.1 update will allow you to enjoy online play, so please be sure to update your game before you start playing!
Things You Can Do via Online Play
Receive a Special Pikachu as an Early-Purchase Bonus!
You can receive a special Pikachu by choosing Get via Internet from the Mystery Gift feature in your game until Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
Take On Special Tera Raid Battles!
You can participate in Tera Raid Battle events by receiving the latest Poké Portal data. A steady stream of these events is planned to take place after the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.
Explore the Paldea Region with Your Friends and Family in Multiplayer!
Join up to three other Trainers in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet’s multiplayer and explore Paldea with your friends and family! Encounter undiscovered Pokémon, explore new landscapes and towns, and experience an adventure in the Paldea region that’s full of surprises and discoveries!
Battle with Pokémon Trainers from All over the World in the Battle Stadium!
In the Battle Stadium, you can enjoy online battles with Trainers from around the world. Casual Battles let you compete in a fun, easygoing way without worrying too much about wins or losses. Try taking on these battles with the Pokémon companions you’ve brought along in your adventures across the Paldea region! Ranked Battles will be available starting in December 2022, and Online Competitions are slated for release sometime in spring 2023. Please wait for future announcements to learn more about when these features will launch.
NOTES: To download the version 1.0.1 update, you will need at least 1GB of free space in your system memory or on your microSD card.
In order to download updates or play online, your user profile will need to be linked to a Nintendo Account and you must be able to connect your Nintendo Switch to the internet. Linking your user profile to a Nintendo Account and connecting your system to the internet does not require a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership.
A paid Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to access online multiplayer and the Battle Stadium.