How to Run in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

So, you’ve just started your adventure in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, finally leaving Mom’s house to embark as a new trainer through the Paldea region. You’ve got your little backpack on, your cute little school uniform, and you’re ready to take on the world. All’s going well, except for one problem – your character is walking. Eww! What is this, a walking simulator?! Where’s the sprint button? How do I refund a game on Switch?!

Worry not, my little impatient adventurer – help is here, and if you keep reading, we’ll get you running around the Paldea region in no time. Here’s how to run in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.

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How to Run in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

When you first leave Mom’s house in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, you’ll be asked to meet Nemona on the other side of a dirt path so that you can choose your starting Pokemon. For about the first half of the relatively short path, your character will be walking, and there’s seemingly nothing you can do to go any faster. However, once you reach the halfway point between your house and Nemona, your character will suddenly unlock the ability to run.

From there, it gets a little tricky, but we’ve developed a step-by-step guide on how to ensure your character remains running for the majority of your playthrough in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Check out this exclusive image that you’ll only find here at Prima Games:

By placing your finger (or thumb) on the left joystick, and pressing it so that it points upwards, your character will begin running. Keep in mind, you’ll need to press the joystick towards the edge of its gate – not halfway or anywhere before that. Failing to do so will result in your character walking, and we certainly can’t have that happening. There’s simply not enough time in the day!

Related: Are HMs in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet? – Answered

Hopefully, this guide served multiple purposes for you: not only teaching you how to run in Pokemon but a lesson in patience and discovery. You’d be amazed at how much you can learn just by trying. Haha, just kidding, keep searching for answers – we love that stuff here. For more information on Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, check out our other guides here at Prima Games.