What is the FPS cap for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet?
Straightaway – there is no official frame rate limit implemented in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. While performance seems targeted at 30 FPS, testing indicates the games can potentially achieve over 60 FPS through modifying the code to remove FPS caps. But instability issues routinely hamper the titles‘ speed.
Background – Standard Switch Benchmarks
As a passionate gaming specialist, when examining Scarlet and Violet‘s capabilities, useful context comes from the Switch‘s usual performance thresholds:
- Docked mode resolution: Up to 1080p
- Handheld mode: 720p
- Average target frame rate for Switch games: 30 FPS
Top first party franchises like Zelda reliably hit 30 FPS in docked/handheld. While some support 60 FPS through features like a Performance Mode. Pointing to the Switch‘s clear technical aptitude when games leverage optimized code.
Evidence of Achievable Higher FPS
- Analysis indicates Pokemon SV targeting 30 FPS – but with consistent dips below this threshold suggesting performance limitations
- Through fan-created mods removing the frame rate limiter, Scarlet has successfully run at a near-capped 57-60 FPS
- This proves the Switch hardware itself can potentially handle Pokemon games at heightened FPS when not hampered by suboptimal software
Performance Benchmark Comparison
Expanding our analysis – how do Scarlet and Violet compare running on Nintendo Switch hardware against other first-party franchises?
| Game | FPS (Docked) | FPS (Handheld) |
|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | 30 | 30 |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | 30 | 30 |
| Super Mario Odyssey | 60 | 30-45 |
| Pokemon Sword and Shield | 30 | 20-30 |
| Pokemon Legends: Arceus | 30 | 30 |
| Pokemon Scarlet and Violet | Unstable sub-30 | Unstable sub-30 |
Pokemon SV clearly falls behind stable optimization of peer Switch titles. Pointing strongly to software-side limitations hampering FPS capabilities.
Technical Performance Issues
Examining documented problems offers clearer insight into what specifically obstructs higher FPS for the Gen 9 games:
- Framerate instability even in relatively empty overworld areas
- Slowdown, lagging, texture issues during busier sequences like battles featuring multiple Pokemon on screen
- Widespread reports of crashes, freezes, save file errors indicating optimization problems
This evidence indicates the games‘ bottlenecks likely involve CPU/memory bandwidth usage bottlenecks – explaining poorer performance handling heavier sequences. Insufficient code optimization seems the root cause.
Community Modding Efforts
Motivated fans have created mods seeking to unlock better frame rates by overriding certain limitations:
- Attack on Quest‘s Resolution and FPS Unlocker mod lifted the 30 FPS cap
- Allowed for 1080p docked resolution and consistent 60 FPS during testing
- theboy181‘s mod offered similar enhancements, hitting up to 57-60 FPS at high resolutions
So while risky and unsanctioned, mods prove the hardware can handle 60 FPS. Pointing clearly to software-side coding inadequacies throttling speed.
Path Forward – Updates and Improvements
Pokemon developer Game Freak has acknowledged fan complaints, citing plans for stability patches. Given evidence of hardware capabilities seen in mods, optimized updates resolving software bottlenecks could significantly improve default performance.
If achieved, buttery-smooth 60 FPS gameplay is conceivable without player modification on sufficient hardware. Time will tell if official improvements can tap into Scarlet and Violet‘s dormant power.
