An 'easy' fix for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet graphics issues: A screen so small you can't see a freakin' thing

Flying Terastal Pikachu in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet can actually perform better visually when played on a teeny tiny screen, at least that's what this TikTok user is saying. 

It's no secret that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are lacking in a few areas. One of the main complaints is that the graphics are not up to scratch when compared to other recently released Nintendo Switch games. There is a solution for this though, as TikTok creator youroldpaljosh has discovered.  

@youroldpaljosh

♬ Mario 64 - Dire Dire Docks - Devin Taylor

It turns out that if you play Pokemon Scarlet and Violet on an iddy biddy screen, you can't see any of the graphical issues at all! In the TikTok video, youroldpaljosh uses a surge protector, a standard Nintendo Switch, a HDMI downscaler, and a tiny pocket TV to play Pokemon Scarlet. Just like they promise at the start of the video, the game does look somewhat better, that is if you're okay with squinting throughout the Paldea region. 

The irony of this fix wasn't lost in the comments of the video either, with several pointing out that maybe Pokemon games are just meant to be played on smaller screens - like the Gameboy, GBA, or Nintendo DS - instead of on big TV screens. Most of the people in the comments though are just astounded that the gen 9 Pokemon game really does look better on a 2.2-inch LCD screen. 

Despite its flaws, there really isn't much slowing down Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Earlier today it was revealed that the two titles have taken over FIFA 23 to be the UK's biggest physical release of 2022. Not only this but it's also become the second-biggest Pokemon launch of all time after Pokemon Sun and Moon from 2016. We should have seen it coming really considering that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet had the highest pre-orders in the series' history

Find out whether Scarlet and Violet made our best Pokemon games list. 

Hope Bellingham
News Writer

After studying Film Studies and Creative Writing at university, I was lucky enough to land a job as an intern at Player Two PR where I helped to release a number of indie titles. I then got even luckier when I became a Trainee News Writer at GamesRadar+ before being promoted to a fully-fledged News Writer after a year and a half of training.  My expertise lies in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, cozy indies, and The Last of Us, but especially in the Kingdom Hearts series. I'm also known to write about the odd Korean drama for the Entertainment team every now and then.