How to access your PC boxes in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet made a number of changes to the Pokémon Center and PC. Here's how to find your PC and change your party easily.

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet character standing outside the Pokémon League in the grass.
Screenshot by Dot Esports

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduced a number of quality-of-life features to the Pokémon world, making it easier for players to jump in and hit the ground running. Some of these improvements can only be seen in the late-game or competitive online battle scene, but others are visible right from the start.

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One feature that got a complete rework in this game is the Pokémon Center, removing the PC entirely and changing up the available services. Here’s how to access your PC boxes in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, including how to change your party and swap held items easily.

How to access the PC in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet character standing outside the Pokémon League with the menu and party showing.
The PC is no longer tied to a specific location in the Pokémon world—it’s much more of a laptop. Screenshot by Dot Esports

Older Pokémon games ensured that players had to visit the Pokémon Center or other fixed locations to check their PC, deposit new catches, and build their parties. With this entry in the franchise, that’s no longer the case—the PC is now completely portable.

To access your PC in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, you need to play through the introduction of the game first. This involves getting your Starter Pokémon, learning how to catch new Pokémon, and getting to Poco Path. The remote PC unlocks very early on in the game, so you won’t have long to wait.

Once you unlock the PC, you can access it by opening the menu using the X button. This will show you your party—including their health, items, and conditions—and the drop-down main menu. Select the Boxes option to open the PC.

Party and boxes tab in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet showing a variety of Pokémon in their boxes.
In the Party and Boxes screen, you can tab through your entire collection of critters. Screenshot by Dot Esports

In the Party and Boxes tab, you can see your entire Pokémon collection sorted into boxes alongside your current party. Hovering over one of your critters will show them on a preview screen next to the box which also displays the type of ball they were caught in, their name, gender, and condition.

You can also hit X again and view the Held Items or Battle Teams tab. The Battle Teams tab is only useful if you’re a VGC player who takes part in online matches, showing your active battle teams, but the Held Items tab shows every collectively held item between your entire creature collection.

Held items tab in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet showing a variety of Pokémon in their boxes with their assigned items.
If you think you’ve lost an item in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, it’s probably in Held Items. Screenshot by Dot Esports

If you’re convinced you have an extra Quick Claw or Lum Berry and you can’t seem to find it in your bag, it’s worth checking in the Held Items tab. It grays out the Pokémon icons and highlights the items, as shown above, which makes it easy to quickly spot key trinkets.

Opening your PC boxes on the go is the best way to access your collection and to organize your party, too. You can drag and drop Pokémon straight out of your boxes and into your party without ever needing to visit a Pokémon Center, which is incredibly convenient.

Author
Image of Adam Newell
Adam Newell
Assigning Editor. In 2015, Adam graduated from the University of Aberystwyth with a bachelor's in Media and Communications. Working in the industry for over ten years. If it has anything to do with Nintendo and Pokémon chances are you will see me talking about it, covering, and likely not sleeping while playing it.
Author
Image of Em Stonham
Em Stonham
Em is a Freelance Gaming Writer at Dot Esports who specializes in Pokemon and World of Warcraft. With a love for RPGs and TCGs, Em has spent the last few years covering gaming news and reviews for sites like IGN, Nintendo Life, and Dexerto.