The Pokedex is a mainstay of the Pokemon games, and each generation brings a new iteration to aid trainers in its completion—but Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's rendition comes with the most significant aesthetic update yet.
Lush against a handsome wood-floor background, each Pokemon's file is aligned vertically as if on a shelf. They are like physical volumes that showcase each Pokemon in its natural habitat, complete with links to Paldean map locations (even if only "seen") and details with some of the usual fair: height; weight; typing; number, and the ever-changing written description—usually two concise sentences, straight to the chase, sometimes even a pleasant revelation.
How to Open Scarlet and Violet's Pokedex
If trainers want to open the Pokedex, they must press the — button. Numbers "Caught" and "Battled" are shown prominently next to a card designating Paldea: the enchanting Spanish-themed region of the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet games.
Press A on that card to see each Pokemon bracingly organized in the aforementioned volumes with their Paldean numbers at the base, the names, and a cute thumbnail.
But in the previous menu screen, the card descends farther down into two more categories: Recently Caught and Recently Battled. Each of these shows the five most recent Pokemon encountered, along with a shot of it living its day-to-day, but sometimes those in "Recently Battled" will show only a thumbnail against a gray backdrop—a signification it hasn't been caught.
At least this Rotomdex will also show where any Pokemon not yet caught can surely be found. Press + to go to the Pokemon's Habitat screen, which shows the map of Paldea and the approximate habitat location—appreciatively chunky, highlighted squares on a colorful grid- a cute simplification.
Rotomdex's Recent Notes
Recent Notes, right below Recently Battled, shows the newest notes, pasted-on bits of paper. This is where it gets interesting. Each note displays scant information, sometimes tantalizing clues such as "lives in mountainous areas" or weather queues like "dislikes rain." Trainers may also be able to see the habitat location as well, or they may only get a large question mark—"Habitat Unknown."
Pressing X on the main Pokedex menu brings up links directly to the map or to the trainer's profile, which usefully displays all the relevant Adventure Records: Badges Collected; Pokemon Caught and Seen; Recipes Collected; Total Playtime; and even the number of Shiny Pokemon Battled. Trainers can also change their profile image or icon, PokeDollar and LP (League Point) totals—and the current earned Gym Badges effects.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available for the Nintendo Switch.