Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Launch Event
To celebrate the launch of Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, Nintendo Canada hosted a massive launch party in Toronto, Canada.
The launch event was held in the heart of Toronto’s Junction neighbourhood at The Symes, offering 5,800 square feet of Pokémon activities. Upon entering, we were immediately immersed in a world of Pokémon sights and sounds.
The walls were adorned with giant artwork featuring the game's legendary characters – Koraidon, Miraidon and many others. The event featured giant Poké-themed displays, activities, photo-ops and even a chance for attendees to try their luck at Pokémon trivia to win prizes. During the event experience, Dapper Jr. and I got to play the newly released Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games and participate in a variety of fun Pokémon-themed activities. Here's an in-depth look at all the expereinces at the launch party:
Exploring the Paldea Region
First up, we got to experience Pokémon Scarlet and Violet hands-on. We played the game on a massive Nintendo Switch, where we spent time capturing Pokémon, battling and mastering their skills. The game was immersive and we had a great time exploring, Dapper Jr. really liked some of the new Pokémon characters he discovered. We both were left excited to spend more time with the game in the near future.
Poké-themed holiday activities
The launch event also hosted a variety of Poké-themed activities, including a "Poké Ball Ornament Decoration Station."
Dapper Jr. got to work making an ornament right away, you can never have enough gaming-themed decorations going into the holidays!
Along with the ornamnets, Nintendo had their own positively electric Christmas tree featuring Pikachu. Dapper Jr. and I are big fans of a good holiday tree and this one was certainly met the criteria.
Pokémon trivia and prizes
To add some skill-testing fun to the mix, we also competed in a series of Pokémon trivia challenges. The trivia was hosted by Pokémon expert Shiny Catherine (right) and Nintendo Canada's Andrew Collins (left). Questions ranged from general knowledge about the franchise to specific details about individual Pokémon. Everyone at the launch party was able to participate and compete for some awesome prizes! It was definitely one of the highlights of the event.
Overall, it was a fun family experience that felt like stepping into an alternate universe filled with all things Pokémon. Nintendo even had on-site trainers and Pokémon enthusiasts on-site to share tips and tricks on how to navigate the games and the wider world of Pokémon. Whether you were a rookie or a veteran to the world of Pokémon, Nintendo Canada put on a launch party for both fans and newcomers. We had a great time and can't wait to play the game more in the future! All in all, it was an amazing event that was definitely worth the trip.
Did you end up pick up a copy of Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet launch weekend? Let us know in the comments!
About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a veteran of the video game and tech industry who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. Along with being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on twitter, Instagram and join in on the fun!
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