With the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet received a free update that enhances their performance, taking advantage of the new console’s higher specifications. While the original Switch releases suffered from optimization-related issues like lag, unstable framerate and jagged edges, the two titles have practically been reborn on the Switch 2, running at 60fps with 4K support in docked mode.
Pokémon fans are already in agreement about Pokémon Scalet and Violet looking and feeling like different games on the Switch 2, but a recent feat accomplished by a Japanese speedrunner really drives home how much smoother everything runs now.
Carolio, who holds second place in the worldwide leaderboard for Pokémon Scarlet with a 5 hour and 22 minute Any% run (on the Nintendo Switch), recently tried to do an experimental speedrun on the Switch 2. As documented live on their Twitch channel, they managed to clear Pokémon Scarlet in only 4 hours and 51 minutes, effectively shaving off 30 minutes from their record. Although it’s frankly hard to tell, Carolio says their performance was actually “sloppier” than during their best runs, so the time reduction is entirely thanks to the game running faster on the Switch 2.
Naturally, in the speedrunner leaderboard world, times accomplished on the Switch and the Switch 2 will be treated as different categories, but it’s crazy to see clear times suddenly reduced by 30 minutes whereas speedrunners are usually competing for seconds.
On a related note, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Switch 2 update doesn’t just make things load faster, it also makes it easier to catch Shiny Pokémon, as the game map gets more densely populated, thus boosting the odds of an encounter.
