Fans ofPokemon Scarlet and Violetare eagerly awaiting confirmation that the games will be received a DLC expansion similar to that ofPokemon Sword and Shield. Given the Paldea Region’s real-world Spanish inspiration, many naturally believe a DLC could allow players to revisit Gen 6’s Kalos Region as it is based on real-world France. This speculation has been further fueled by the recent trademark renewal forPokemon X and Y—the games that feature the Kalos region. Players hoping to revisit the Kalos Region in aPokemon Scarlet and VioletDLC expansion are treating this trademark renewal as evidence that a DLC announcement is imminent, but that might not necessarily be the case.
Ever sincePokemon X and Yleft many players feeling unsatisfied with the lack ofaPokemon Zversionto round out the Kalos adventure and give further lore explanations to monsters like Zygarde and AZ’s Floette, there has been hope within the community that players will get to revisit Kalos in one way or another. WhenPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Pladea Region was revealed to be based on real-world Spain, hope was renewed that the games would feature the ability to travel to the southern portion of Kalos that was inaccessible in the Gen 6 games. Since the base version of the Gen 9 games lack this ability, DLC would be the next opportunity for Game Freak to make this dream of many fans happen.
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Pokemon X and Y’s Trademark Renewal Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Kalos DLC
Although discussion around a potential return to Kalos inPokemon Scarlet and VioletDLChas kicked up with the recent trademark renewal made collectively by Nintendo, Game Freak, and The Pokemon Company, it is unlikely that it has anything to do with Kalos appearing in a DLC expansion. Instead, it is more likely that the trademark was a part of a routine renewal needing to be done 10 years after the original games' release. SincePokemon X and Yoriginally launched in October 2013, this upcoming year would mark the 10-year anniversary of the games and trigger a need to renew the trademark before October 2023.
This is not an unusual occurrence for the series and has happened with other entries in the past. In 2020, thetrademark forPokemon HeartGold and SoulSilverwas renewed sparking speculation that ports of the games were headed to the Switch. Ultimately, nothing came from this renewal, and it is likely thatPokemon X and Y’s trademark renewal will have a similar outcome. If there is DLC on the way for Gen 9, it will likely get announced on February 27—the anniversary of the originalPokemon Red and Greengames releasing in Japan and a day Pokemon announcements are usually made.
Kalos DLC is Still Likely, Despite this Trademark Red Herring
Even though the trademark renewal forPokemon X and Ylikely doesn’t have anything to do with DLC, it is still quite probable that players will get to explore Kalos in some form as part of an expansion toPokemon Scarlet and Violet. Aside from the obvious geographical proximity between the two, Paldea holds some hints that point toward an adventure in Kalos coming in the future. A crediblePokemon leak about Mega Evolutions—a mechanic unique to Gen 6—has been circulating online and is supported by the references made to Mega Evolution in the Pokedex entries for some Gen 9 mons like Roaring Moon.
Pokemon Sword and Shieldsaw new areas added to Galar’s map with the addition of theIsle of Armor and Crown Tundraas a part of its expansion pass. There are unexplored areas of Paldea’s map to the north that line up with some of the unexplored areas of Kalos' map, suggesting this space could be used for new DLC-exclusive area that bridges the two regions together. Fans anticipating DLC forPokemon Scarlet and Violetwill most likely get the confirmation they’re looking for in February.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare available now for Nintendo Switch.
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