While everyone’s excited about Pokemon Legends: Z-A from the latest Pokemon Presents, we’re also getting a new battle-only side entry with Pokemon Champions.
Pokemon Champions is currently in development, and will launch on Switch (and almost certainly Switch 2) and mobile platforms.
Shout out to the announcement trailer giving all the nostalgia feels. The trailer showcases competitive Pokemon battling over the last 25+ years, from Game Boy link cables, to Pokemon Stadium on the Nintendo 64, and Battle Revolution on the Nintendo Wii.
Pokemon Champions is a purely PvP battler, and supports cross-platform play between Switch systems and mobile. Trainers will be able to bring their Pokemon from digital storage app Pokemon Home into Champions to form competitive teams in stylish arena-style battles.
The trailer showcases multiple Gens worth of special mechanics, including mega evolution and Tera types. Double Battles are also confirmed.
The disclaimer at the end notes that “not all Pokemon will appear in Champions.” At launch at least, Champions won’t support all 1000 or so Pokemon in the National Dex. The disclaimer does tease that players can obtain Pokémon in Champions, however, perhaps as battle rewards for hitting certain milestones and achievements.
Pokemon Champions is being developed by The Pokémon Works, the team behind Pokémon Sleep and Pokémon Home, with support from primary developer Game Freak.
A release date has not yet been announced. With Legends: Z-A coming later this year, it’s likely we won’t see Champions until 2026.
