Pokémon Scarlet and Violet multiplayer - How to play with friends


Image of a trainer visiting a Pokémon Center in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Wondering whether there is multiplayer in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet? A whole host of new information on the ninth generation of Pokémon games just landed, including details on how to partake in adventures with friends. The co-op seems to be more expansive then ever before, so there's plenty to look forward to.

In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about multiplayer in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. That includes whether the game contains co-op functionality, on top of a look at the modes and scenarios you can enjoy with friends.

Elsewhere, feel free to check out some of our Apex Legends coverage. We've got a tier list of all the various operators, as well as a look at the best guns in the game. That's on top of a detailed guide on the upcoming season 14.

Do Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have multiplayer?

The good news is that yes, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will have multiplayer components. Note that it isn't a full-fledged co-op campaign letting you experience the entire game with a friend, but rather specific areas and modes where you can play with others.

In particular, those are the Poké Portal and Union Circle. When you enter the Poké Portal, which will appear frequently across the map as with Union Rooms in previous games, the social aspects should activate.

Within the Poké Portal you will be able to trade with and battle other trainers. Link Trades and Link Battles come with their own perks. This includes Surprise Trades, where you swap Pokémon with a total stranger across the globe. If you're trying to firm up your Paldean Pokédex, this is a great way to do it.

Within the Poké Portal you'll also find the Union Circle, which is where the game's co-op aspects come into play. Rather than letting you loose in the open world, you can explore smaller regions with friends, battling and catching as you go. The Union Circle is compatible for up to four players, though any further details are still slim.

Image of a Pokémon Center in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
click to enlarge

How do I play multiplayer in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet?

At this early stage, we still don't quite know how you'll actually activate multiplayer in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Early looks at the game haven't revealed this information, so it remains a matter of speculation.

However, the chances are it'll have something to do with the various Pokémon Centers scattered across the Paldea region. In previous games you'd head either upstairs or downstairs within the Pokémon Center based on which multiplayer mode you wanted. The chances are it'll follow a similar path in Scarlet and Violet.

That's it for our look at the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet multiplayer! As soon as we know more about co-op play in these exciting new Pokémon games, we'll update this guide. Until then, feel free to browse our Pokémon GO codes for a couple of freebies.

For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet page.