Original plans revealed for Pokemon Sword and Shield, Scarlet and Violet

Posted on October 15, 2025 by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Switch

A ton of details have been uncovered about the original plans for Pokemon Sword and Shield as well as Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Information was shared as part of the Game Freak “Teraleak”.

For Gen 8, Game Freak was initially pursuing a pre-historic theme. We have details about beta starters, potential names, plot details, and much more.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet went through their own major changes. A lot of information covers the plot, but there are some other differences here as well.

Below is the full roundup, courtesy of Centro Leaks and choumomoko:

Pokemon Sword and Shield

Beta Starters: Cenozoic Fire Dog, Cenozoic Water (no animal mentioned), Cenozoic Grass Rabbit
Originally Gen 8 was pre-historic themed (the original codename was Rex)
There were 3 types of Pokemon in the Pokedex
Cenozoic Era: Easy to understand cuteness and coolness that would appeal to modern people. Popular even as pets.
Mesozoic Era: Weird Pokemon. Jokes/gags
Gen 8 originally had 3 new Mythical Pokemon planned based on Fantasy, Invention and Discovery
Pokemon Sword and Shield were originally going to be called Pokemon King and Pokemon
Other names considered: Cosmo & Galaxy, Order & Change, Femininity & Masculinity
A regional Zubat was once planned and scrapped

Gym System Overview

Gyms are located in towns and cities, each with a Leader, visiting Trainers, sponsors, and a dedicated stadium.
Trainers who repeatedly fail to defeat a Gym Leader are depicted as struggling or “stuck” Trainers, emphasizing their frustration and determination.

League System Overview

The Pokemon League operates as a prestigious competition, with Gym Leaders and other challenges serving as gateways to the ultimate showdown.

Power Spot Mechanic

While exploring the field, a new attribute-based system highlights “Power Spots” (special locations with unique energy) to make them easily recognizable to players.

Depicting an “Abnormal G-State” (Unique Pokémon Condition)

Visual cues include altered eye expressions.
Additional effects like shader tweaks and adjusted motion speeds combine existing assets to create this distinct state.

Companion Neo System

A modernized “walking Pokemon” feature (inspired by Pokemon Diamond and Pearl but updated for current standards) allows a Pokemon to follow the player.

4-vs-1 Battle Mechanic

Certain battles pit four Pokemon against one powerful opponent.
Of the four slots, 1-3 can be controlled by Al, allowing players to customize their strategy with non-player-controlled Pokemon.

The Mystery of the King and Queen

Legendary Pokemon are believed to be dead: A myth surrounds two Legendary Pokemon, known as the “King” and “Queen.”
The Song: A haunting melody is sung when the area is shrouded in mist, serving as a clue.
The Tomb: A hidden burial site holds the truth.
The Truth About the Legendaries: Contrary to belief, the King and Queen are alive. Historical Context: A heroic figure, a servant of the King and Queen, respectfully buried the two Pokemon long ago. A Weezing and Koffing and its Trainer now guard the tomb.
Cover-Up: Fearing invasion from neighboring regions, later generations embellished the legend of the King and Queen and sealed off the path to their tomb. Downfall: Several generations later, during a war, the absence of the King and Queen, touted as the region’s trump cards, led to the nation’s collapse.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

There are only 4 Gyms in the main story, with an additional 4 optional ones.
Gym Leaders teams changed depending on how many badges you had.
Nemona and Arven exist, but not Penny.
You still get Koraidon/Miraidon similarly at the beginning of the story.
The evil team is based on a marching band (Team March).
The Champion of the region has disappeared, however the commander of the Team March calls himself the acting Champion.
Jacq is a central character to the story, he later reveals he’s the 4th Gym Leader.
After defeating Jacq, the Team March appear and almost defeat the protagonist, but Miraidon/Koiraidon finishes healing just in time and defeats the evil team.
The legendary takes the protagonist, Nemona, Arven and Jacq.
It takes them to a legendary island that people think was just a myth, the island looks like 10 millions in the past / future depending on the version.
Many Koraidon/Miraidon also live in the island
Jacq upgrades the Pokédex to include the new island, and you get to name the island.
In the legendary island there are trials like in Alola (Nemona specifically mentions that it reminds her of the trials of Alola from a long time ago)
From here on, the true open world begins. You can freely travel between the main island and the legendary island. You can choose to go back to complete the 4 remaining gyms in the main island or do the trials
The three characters find memos written in modern characters
“On ● month ● day, I was brought to a mysterious island by a Legendary Pokemon. There are few Pokemon, and the land is barren. This is a harsh place for Pokemon to live.”
“On ▼ month ▼ day, it seems there was some kind of civilization here. That civilization has already perished, and time has passed. Can’t I save the Pokemon by activating this machine?”
“On ○ month ○ day, it worked! The machine activated! This machine seems able to influence the environment of this island. I will make this place a paradise for Pokemon.”
“On × month × day, I was known as the champion back home, but I was so absorbed in researching the island that I was called a liar and stripped of my title. I’m worried about my family I left behind. I’m sorry.”
You can complete the trials in any order, there are 8 in total and at the end of each one you fight a powerful Pokemon that you can catch
The idea is that after each trial one of the main characters has a big realization that leads to some personal growth.
In the first trial, Nemona realizes she was bound by academic credentials but realizes that a life on the established track is boring. She vows to find her own path.
In the second trial, Arven realizes that despite his talent, had been going with the flow. He vows to stop this way of life and live by utilizing his talent.
In the third trial, Jacq admits he is part of the evil team, but vows to quit.
After the fourth trial, Team March appears from the sky, the commander of the team thanks Jacq because he put a transmitter in him without Jacq realizing it.
They want to catch all legendary Pokemon in the island.
You enter Team March’s flying airship and defeat their Elite Four plus the commander (acting champion).
After defeating Team March, the protagonist is transported to a mysterious place full of flowers, where he apparently can see his own house right in the middle.
Protagonist finds a mysterious turtle Pokemon in the house
You hear a voice from the back of the room. “…Is there anyone there?
“So someone has come this far.
“Congratulations… I wanted to say this to those who have come this far.
“I wanted to create a Pokemon utopia.
“I don’t care if people criticize me. This is the Pokemon utopia I envisioned!
“I dreamed and idealized it, and I made it come true!
“I left behind what I believe to be true treasure here!
“You were guided here by something!
“Now! Are you worthy of obtaining this treasure?!
“Show me your strength!

He fights a mysterious shadowy man.
This man calls himself the Champion.
His face is hidden shadows, he uses the turtle Pokemon as his last Pokemon.
After a fierce battle, he defeats the Champion.
*The Champion never reveals that he is his father.

Champion: “Beautiful…”
Champion: “Your ideals surpass mine!”

Champion: “Ideals are meaningless unless they are put into practice. Treasures are meaningless on their own.
Champion: “What do you value, and what ideals do you envision?

Champion: “Go ahead and take this.”
He obtains the Champion’s Proof, the Turtle Pokemon, and a mysterious letter.

Champion: “Soon, this place will crumble.
Champion: “There is no path ahead of you. Now, move forward!
Champion: “Live a life that everyone will envy!

…Space distorts,
and the space created by the turtle’s power is about to crumble.

The moment the ground beneath his feet crumbles, Miraidon/Koraidon picks the protagonist up from the sky.
And with that, it flies away into the sky.

Nemona, Arven and Jacq are surprised after the protagonist’s disappearance, the protagonist shows them the Champion Certificate that he got.

Nemona: “That’s a championship certificate! How?! Amazing! Is that the treasure?”
Jacq: “I don’t know, but it looks like you found something important. You look so happy!

At this point, all the 4 main characters have found their treasure, but this is not mentioned explicitly and the story ends without defining what the treasure is.
They leave the island to go back home and the ending begins.

The credits roll as they watch footage of them flying through the sky riding legendary Pokemon.

THE END

In the post-game, you can fight the remaining 4 Gym Leaders if you haven’t done so, and then fight Nemona to decide who will become the actual Champion of the region.

A bunch of other leaks surrounding Pokemon can be found in a previous roundup here.