Pokemon Day 2023 begins on February 27, with the yearly event celebrating the 1996 Japanese release of Pokemon Red and Green through announcements for all things Pokemon. Every topic, from the recent Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to the ongoing Pokemon Unite, could receive major updates. It's a time for Pokemon fans to rally around the beloved franchise, and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet players are especially keen to hear what The Pokemon Company and Game Freak have in store.
There are a wide variety of announcements theorized to happen during this year's Pokemon Day stream, from a new Pokemon Mystery Dungeon title to a preview of the upcoming anime reboot. However, news on the future of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet feels all but guaranteed. There have been a lot of rumors and alleged leaks regarding the nature of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's supposed DLC ahead of the Pokemon Presents show.
DLC Hints Within Scarlet and Violet
The big question of whether there will be DLC or a third version in the Scarlet and Violet lineup has largely been dismissed, as it has been close to a decade since Pokemon moved away from the “third version” release format. Many fans expect one or two expansions similar to Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra add-ons. The sense of certainty is fueled by Scarlet and Violet's lacking post-game, and hints throughout its contents.
Much of that anticipation is based around the writings of the long-dead researcher Heath in the Scarlet or Violet Book. They explicitly detail three new Legendaries that are not present in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, one of which is theorized to be the source of the story's time travel and Terastallization. Upon completing the Paldean Pokedex, players are rewarded with a Beast Ball, which felt like an odd choice given they are only effective at catching Ultra Beasts - of which there are none in Generation 9. Thus, Ultra Beasts are likely planned DLC for Scarlet and Violet, regardless of what else is added.
New Pokemon Game Colors and Paradox Forms
Members of the Pokemon community have theorized that the mysterious third Legendary Pokemon will be based on a world turtle, but there is a bit of competition with this notion. One detailed theory posted on 4chan and spread by Reddit claims that Scarlet and Violet's DLC will be a single expansion titled Mirage Magenta releasing this November. This will supposedly take place in a second Great Crater in the northeast corner of the map where a Water/Dragon-type Legendary Pokemon named Maimyu is keeping future and past-themed tribes trapped to feed on their belief and dreams.
This theory is suspected to not pan out, with further details claiming that people and Pokemon have been trapped in Terastallization crystals at the second crater for hundreds of years. In addition, many have doubts over the title having anything to do with the color magenta. "Pokemon Teal" or "Pokemon Amber" have been put forth as a more likely name, matching Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Spanish flag associations. Regardless of what approach it takes, most rumors agree there will be a host of new Paradox Pokemon in the DLC, particularly the Generation 2 and Generation 5-inspired Legendaries from the Scarlet and Violet Books.
A Return to Kalos in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Debunking the Mirage Magenta theory even further is the rumor that Pokemon X and Y's Kalos region lies to Paldea's northeast. Kalos is based on France, and it would only make sense that it would be split off from the Spain-inspired Paldea by a mountain range like the Pyrenees. In addition, Kalos is based largely in the northern part of the area in the Pokemon world, leaving room for a game to adapt the southern part.
From a fairly large number of Kalos Pokemon in Scarlet and Violet to a trio of trainers near the northeast edge who specialize in Kalos Dragon Types, a lot of thought has seemingly gone into establishing this link. As that edge of Paldea also houses several Kalos Pokemon that could feasibly cross its mountains, it feels like this theory could easily come true.
To this day, Pokemon X and Y are the only games without extra versions or DLC expanding their content. An area directly on the border of Paldea and Kalos could remedy this, while including a large network of caves that lead deeper into Area Zero for new Paradox Pokemon. Some rumors even include Nemona’s family or a Kalos character setting up a Battle Frontier facility, which many fans would love. There are many directions that DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet could go, but these rumors have allowed fans to set their expectations and prepare for whatever surprise the February 2023 Pokemon Presents has in store.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.
