What Pokémon are Missing from Switch Games? A Comprehensive Guide
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The Nintendo Switch has become a haven for Pokémon fans, but a complete National Pokédex on the console remains elusive. Hundreds of Pokémon, spanning multiple generations, are not currently catchable or transferable into the available Switch Pokémon games. These omissions stem from design choices, technical limitations, and the shift to a regional Pokédex focus in newer titles. This article provides a detailed breakdown of which Pokémon are missing and why, and what implications it has for the future of the franchise.
The Missing Pokémon: A Generational Overview
Determining the exact number of missing Pokémon is tricky, as it depends on which game you’re referencing and whether you include regional forms or not. However, a conservative estimate puts the number at well over 200 Pokémon absent from the entire Switch ecosystem of Pokémon games (including Sword and Shield, Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee, and Scarlet and Violet). This number fluctuates with each new release or DLC.
Kanto (Generation I)
While Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! cover Kanto, they omit certain Pokémon. Also, many Kanto Pokémon are missing from Sword and Shield and Scarlet and Violet. Some of the missing include: Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill, Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Rattata, Raticate. Some Pokémon are also missing because their Alolan forms are not transferable.
Johto (Generation II)
Many Johto Pokémon are absent across all Switch titles. These include Pokémon families that did not make the cut for Sword and Shield or Scarlet and Violet, and weren’t included in Let’s Go.
Hoenn (Generation III)
Generation III Pokémon absences are largely felt in Scarlet and Violet. Key starters and their evolutions are missing, causing frustration among longtime fans. Treecko, Grovyle, Sceptile, Torchic, Combusken, Blaziken, Mudkip, and Marshtomp are missing from Scarlet and Violet.
Sinnoh (Generation IV)
Similar to Hoenn, a number of Sinnoh Pokémon have not made the cut for recent Switch games. There are a lot of missing ones, including Pokémon families that did not make the cut for Sword and Shield or Scarlet and Violet.
Unova (Generation V)
Generation V, while represented by certain Pokémon, also suffers from significant omissions, particularly in the starter Pokémon department. Snivy, Servine, and Serperior are conspicuously absent in games like Scarlet and Violet. The article that you provided as context also makes it clear that Tepig, Pignite, Emboar, Patrat, Watchog, Pansage, Simisage, Pansear, Simisear, Panpour, Simipour, Blitzle, and Zebstrika are missing from the Nintendo Switch at the time of that article’s writing.
Kalos (Generation VI)
Several Kalos Pokémon, including starters and other unique species, are not available in Sword and Shield or Scarlet and Violet. Chespin, Quilladin, Fennekin, Braixen, Delphox, Froakie, Frogadier, and Greninja are missing from Sword and Shield. Bunnelby, Diggersby, and Furfrou are also excluded from Scarlet and Violet.
Alola (Generation VII)
Some Alola Pokémon are missing from Switch games. Litten and Torracat are examples of these Pokémon.
Galar (Generation VIII) and Paldea (Generation IX)
Even Pokémon native to the Galar and Paldea regions, though usually prominently featured, can sometimes be restricted from certain competitive formats or have limited availability in specific games through events or DLC. Koraidon and Miraidon have been banned, as have Paradox Pokémon and Treasures of Ruin in certain competitive formats.
Why are Pokémon Missing? The Reasons Behind the Cuts
Several factors contribute to the absence of Pokémon from Switch games:
- Development Time and Resources: Creating high-quality 3D models, animations, and unique gameplay mechanics for each Pokémon requires substantial resources. With over 1,000 Pokémon species, including every single Pokémon simply isn’t feasible with modern game development timelines.
- Regional Focus: Newer Pokémon games prioritize a specific region and its native Pokémon. This allows developers to create more detailed environments and stories centered around the local species.
- Game Balance and Competitive Scene: Including every Pokémon can complicate game balance and the competitive metagame. Limiting the available Pokémon allows for more focused strategies and prevents certain powerful Pokémon from dominating.
- Technical Limitations: While the Switch is a capable console, its hardware has limitations. Rendering and simulating all Pokémon within a large open-world environment can strain the system’s resources.
- Story and Theme Considerations: The Pokémon chosen for a game might be selected to fit a particular theme or narrative.
Implications for Players
The absence of certain Pokémon has significant implications for players:
- Limited Team Composition: Players are restricted in the Pokémon they can use, hindering team-building strategies and personal preferences.
- Missed Nostalgia: Veteran players miss the opportunity to reunite with their favorite Pokémon from older generations.
- Reduced Collectibility: The inability to “catch ’em all” diminishes the completionist aspect of the game.
- Dependence on Future Releases: Players must rely on future games, DLC, or transfer methods to access missing Pokémon.
The Future of Pokémon on Switch
While many Pokémon are currently missing, the situation is not static. Game Freak has released DLC and updated the Pokémon HOME service, enabling the transfer of more Pokémon into Switch games. Additionally, future titles will likely introduce new transfer methods and integrate more Pokémon from past generations.
Pokémon HOME acts as a central hub, allowing players to store and transfer Pokémon across compatible games. However, a Pokémon can only be transferred to a game if it is present in that game’s Pokédex.
The decisions regarding which Pokémon to include in each game continue to spark debate among fans. While the limitations are understandable, many hope to eventually see a comprehensive Pokémon experience on the Switch, bridging the gap between generations and enabling players to truly collect and battle with their favorite creatures.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will all Pokémon ever be available on a Switch game?
It’s unlikely that all Pokémon will ever be available in a single Switch game due to technical constraints and design choices. However, the possibility exists for a future title that incorporates a more extensive Pokédex or a unified transfer system.
2. How do I find out which Pokémon are in a specific Switch game?
The best way is to consult the official Pokédex for that game, available online through resources like Serebii.net or Bulbapedia. These sites provide comprehensive lists of available Pokémon.
3. Can I transfer Pokémon from older games (like 3DS titles) to Switch games?
Yes, but only through Pokémon HOME. You’ll need to transfer your Pokémon from older games (like those on the 3DS) to Pokémon Bank, and then from Pokémon Bank to Pokémon HOME. After that, you can transfer them to compatible Switch games, provided those Pokémon exist in the destination game’s Pokédex.
4. What happens to Pokémon I transfer to Pokémon HOME if they can’t be transferred to a Switch game?
They will remain in Pokémon HOME. You can store them there indefinitely, but you won’t be able to use them in Switch games unless they become compatible in the future.
5. Why doesn’t the Switch have backwards compatibility for older Pokémon games?
The Switch’s hardware architecture differs significantly from older Nintendo consoles like the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo 3DS, making direct backwards compatibility impossible.
6. Are remakes of older Pokémon games likely to include all Pokémon?
Remakes may include more Pokémon than the original games, but they are unlikely to include every Pokémon. Remakes typically focus on updating the original game with modern mechanics and graphics while retaining the core experience.
7. How do DLC and updates affect the availability of Pokémon?
DLC and updates can introduce new areas, Pokémon, and transfer options. This can increase the number of available Pokémon in a game and allow players to transfer more Pokémon from Pokémon HOME.
8. Do regional forms count towards the missing Pokémon count?
Yes, if a regional form is not available in a Switch game, it contributes to the overall count of missing Pokémon. This includes Alolan, Galarian, and Paldean forms.
9. What is the National Pokédex, and why is it relevant?
The National Pokédex is a comprehensive index of all Pokémon species. Its absence from recent Pokémon games has limited the number of Pokémon available to players.
10. Are mythical Pokémon available in all Switch games?
No, Mythical Pokémon are typically distributed through special events and promotions. Their availability varies from game to game.
11. Can I use Pokémon from Pokémon GO in Switch games?
Yes, Pokémon can be transferred from Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME, and then to compatible Switch games like Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! However, this can only be done one-way.
12. Why are starter Pokémon often unavailable in the wild?
Starters are typically unobtainable in the wild to maintain the uniqueness of the starter selection experience at the beginning of the game.
13. How do I suggest which Pokémon should be included in future games?
You can provide feedback to The Pokémon Company and Game Freak through official channels, such as surveys or social media platforms. Fan feedback can sometimes influence future game development decisions.
14. Does the absence of certain Pokémon affect the competitive battling scene?
Yes, the absence of certain Pokémon significantly affects the competitive battling scene by limiting the available strategies and team compositions.
15. Where can I find reliable information about which Pokémon are available in each game?
Reliable sources include the official Pokémon website, Serebii.net, Bulbapedia, and community forums dedicated to Pokémon games.