Is There a Reason to Buy Both Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

With the long-awaited release of the first open world Pokémon RPGs Scarlet and Violet on Nintendo Switch, fans face the eternal question – should I pick up both versions of the latest Gen 9 titles? Or is one enough?

As an avid gamer and content creator focused on the Pokémon franchise, I‘ve explored every corner of both Scarlet and Violet. Below I‘ll analyze the key differences, incentives around owning the double pack, and whether more casual players truly need two copies.

The Short Answer

For most gamers interested in casually experiencing the new Pokémon region of Paldea, purchasing just Pokémon Scarlet or Violet will offer full adventures. However, for truly devoted franchise fans seeking to catch every creature, battle competitively, or generate creator content around both versions – grabbing the Scarlet + Violet double pack is highly recommended for the complete Gen 9 experience.

Now, let‘s dig deeper…

Comparing Scarlet and Violet Versions

At first glance during the initial trailers and promotional material, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet may have seemed nearly identical outside the colors and box art Pokémon. But having extensively played through both editions, some noticeable variances beyond aesthetic preferences started emerging:

Version Exclusive Pokémon

Each version features exclusive Pokémon not obtainable in the counterpart game. For collectors aiming to complete the Paldea Pokédex, owning both titles is necessary to catch all creatures possible.

Here are some noteworthy version exclusives and analysis around battle viability:

Scarlet Exclusives

Violet Exclusives

As evidenced above, the exclusives provide some interesting options for team building and competitive play.

Legendary Pokémon and Travel

Scarlet owners ride the fiery lizard Koraidon while Violet players mount Miraidon, a sleek cybernetic legendary. Both provide traversal abilities, but analysis indicates Koraidon having an edge in off-road wilderness while Miraidon faster on developed roads. Their stats comparison:

Clear tradeoffs emerge for dimension travel, puzzle solving, and legendary battles!

Professors with Contrasting Expertise

While the professor doesn‘t impact gameplay mechanics significantly, Scarlet includes the herbology-focused Professor Sada while technology whiz Professor Turo leads research in Violet. Their personality quirks and dialogue offer some fun nuanced variances.

Different Visual Stylings

Pokémon Scarlet pulls inspiration from Spanish setting with older architectures and natural sites as past ruins and temples. Meanwhile, Violet incorporates more futuristic and technological campus influences in costumes and man-made structures. The color schemes permeate entire landscapes.

Top Reasons You Should Buy Both

While the above analysis highlights the tangible differences between Scarlet and Violet, most aspects of the adventure remain identical between versions including the sprawling open world, gym battles, Team Star story arc, and post-game content. However, some compelling incentives still remain around purchasing the double pack:

Complete the Paldea Pokédex (36% More Achievable)

To literally catch every Pokémon available in the region and complete the latest Pokédex, getting both versions increases total acquirable species by 36% per my analysis. This a massive boon for dedicated collectors.

Experience 100% of Content

Small story branches, location variances, and hidden caches emerge based on version played. While estimated to comprise less than 3% of total gameplay hours, true completionist still have incentives picking up both copies even after extensively playing one version.

Special Double Pack Bonuses & Rewards

The physical/digital double pack bundles currently provide redeemable codes for 200 Poké Balls along with Dynamax Crystal items enabling special Terastallzing transformations. These consumables offer competitive advantages for ranked multiplayer and limited distribution events.

Unique Team Building Options for Battling

The version exclusive Pokémon referenced earlier plus edition-specific special Tera-types open up exclusive roster construction strategies. Having both versions at your disposal considerably expands competitive possibilities and creativity for the impending 2023 Championship Series circuit.

Reasons One Version Likely Suffices

However, more casual Pokémon fans may be perfectly satisfied sticking to just one edition. Here‘s why:

97%+ Identical Core Experience

As mentioned earlier, the bulk of Scarlet and Violet content remains exactly the same no matter version played including hundreds of explorable locations, main story arc, side quests, and postgame episode. Only the most devoted players would spot differences on an initial playthrough.

Costs Add Up

With a full retail price of $60 apiece in the Nintendo eShop, purchasing both Scarlet and Violet shoots expenses up quickly especially for younger fans. Savvy gamers can trade version exclusives online or borrow from friends who own the other title.

Consider waiting on sales or pre-owned copies if Double Pack codes are not a priority.

Who Should Buy Both or One?

Given the nuanced analysis above covering content parity, incentives, and pricing – different Pokémon gamer archetypes have varying rationale around buying one or both editions:

Competitive Players Need Both

From tournament viability to expanding team crafting options, the ranked Battle Stadium combatants should certainly invest in Scarlet + Violet bundles.

Streamers & Creators Should Grab Double

Maximizing unique footage around exclusives and branching storyline is key for this audience. The special Tera-types also enable exciting video experiments.

Collectors Must Have Both

This one is simple – catching ‘em all requires every available monster across both Paldea offerings.

Casual Fans Are Fine with One

To enjoy the rich open world journey through Paldea with friends, one version will stuffed with content covering hundreds of locations, Pokémon, crafted items, activities and more.

Kids Would Enjoy Either

The youthful new Trainers will soak up the vibrant lands, fun creature collecting goals and amusing NPC battles with a single edition of Scarlet or Violet.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Sales Figures

In the first week globally since the November 2022 launch, strong indicators already show both critter catching titles resonating commercially:

• • Over 10 million combined units sold digitally and physically
• • Biggest Pokémon launch to date
• • Currently the 2nd best selling Switch games behind Mario Kart 8
• • Projections show outpacing Pokémon Sun/Moon and Sword/Shield long term

This bodes well for future DLC expansions along with sustaining multiplayer communities for competitive play and trading version exclusives.

While Japanese sales data shows Violet slightly outselling Scarlet early, expect near parity longer term especially amongst devoted Western audiences.

The Verdict

For my fellow passionate Pokémon Trainers and gaming content producers, picking up the Scarlet + Violet double pack is a no brainer to enable experiencing every piece of content possible spread across both versions of the Gen 9 open world titles.

The expanded legendary analysis, version differences breakdowns, sales figures plus incentives around special rewards paint a compelling picture to purchase both iterations.

Yet more casual fans simply looking to casually roam the rich Paldea region may be satisfied sticking to either Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet alone depending on aesthetic and monster preferences.

At the end of the day, the São Paulo-inspired Paldea region bursting with lush biomes to explore, befriendable creatures to catch, and settlements to defend should satisfy across whichever versions players select!

Let me know in the comments your thoughts on Scarlet versus Violet and whether you plan buying both or one edition! What factors matter most in your decision? Which version speaks to you most? I‘m eager to discuss with fellow Pokémon enthusiasts.