Overview
- Number of Players
- 1 (Single Player)
- Genre
- Release Date
Switch eShop
8th Apr 2026 — free-to-start
8th Apr 2026 — free-to-start
8th Apr 2026 — free-to-start
- Series
- Tags
- Official Site
- nintendo.com
Reviews
Review Pokémon Champions (Switch) – The Most Accessible & Flawed Competitive Pokémon Has Ever Been
More bugs than Viridian Forest
Keeping up with competitive Pokémon battling has always been a hassle. As the mainline series shifts from generation to generation, so does which Pokémon are available, access to specific Pokémon, methods for training those Pokémon, the introduction of new moves, abilities, and held items, as well as a continued...
Screenshots 14
Pokémon Champions Guides
Guide Pokémon Champions: In-Game Purchases - Membership & Battle Pass Explained
Break out your Poké Dollars
Pokémon Champions is set to be the go-to competitive battler for the series moving forward, and while the game is free to start for everyone, there are some paid options to consider down the line. In this guide, we'll be breaking down all of Champions' in-game purchases, explaining how much each one will set you back,...
Guide Pokémon Champions: Mystery Gift Codes List
All current Pokémon Champions Mystery Gift codes
Mystery Gift codes have been a mainstay of Pokémon games for years now, and that trend continues in Pokémon Champions. Below, we'll be keeping track of every Champions Mystery Gift code, detailing what it unlocks and its expiry date — so you never have to worry about missing out on a freebie. As...
Guide Best Pokémon Spin-Off Games Of All Time
Ranked by you, now including Pokopia
We've updated this list with Pokémon Pokopia now that you've all had a chance to spend some quality time with it. It's been a massive hit from the off, but find out below how it ranks against 30 years' worth of Pokémon spin-offs. Enjoy! If there's any franchise that's no stranger to a spin-off or two, it's...
Guide Pokémon Presents February 2026: Every Announcement - How Would You Rate It?
Smile and Waves, boys. Smile and Waves.
We were hoping that The Pokémon Company might have a little something special up its sleeve for the big 30th anniversary Pokémon Presents, and while it may not have been wall-to-wall bangers, there were certainly some surprises. Below, we've assembled a guide of every news drop, game reveal, and...
Guide Pokémon Presents July 2025: Every Announcement, Full Livestream
Z-A! Friends! The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu
And just like a Quick Attack, the second Pokémon Presents is all over and done with. It was a pretty packed one this time around, but there weren't any real surprises, with the usual glut of mobile updates accompanying some delightful-looking shows and another look at the big-ticket item of...
Guide Pokémon Presents February 2025: Every Announcement, Full Livestream
Legends Z-A! Champions! TCG Sets!
Well, there you have it, Trainers. The February 2025 Pokémon Presents showcase is behind us, delivering 19 whole minutes of news and updates across The Pokémon Company's apps, cards, shows and video games. It was a pretty busy one this year (at least, compared to previous events), so below, we have listed every...
Pokémon Champions News
Round Up The Reviews Are In For Pokémon Champions
Here's what the critics think
The new "free-to-start" battle game Pokémon Champions launched for the Switch this week and critics have now had their say. Starting with our own review here on Nintendo Life, we said this new title was the most accessible but flawed competitive Pokémon has ever been, awarding it five out of ten stars: "The core...
News Fear Not, Pokémon Champions' Naff Switch 2 TV Resolution Is Fixable
Doctors hate this one simple Dock trick
Even if we overlook the limited launch Pokémon, the swathe of bugs, and the strange monetisation, Pokémon Champions still had more issues up its sleeve — talk about a dramatic launch, eh? Those playing in Docked Mode on Switch 2 might have noticed that the latest battler looked... a bit naff. Up on the...
News Pokémon Champions Bug-Squashing Update Is In The Works, Here's What's Being Targeted
Bug Spray
Pokémon Champions launched yesterday in a... less-than-perfect state. Fortunately, it looks like The Pokémon Company is working on a fix. Even if we put aside the limited available Pokémon and Items at launch, the game was quickly criticised for the sheer number of bugs on display (and no, we're not talking about Beedrill and Pinsir)...
PSA Pokémon Champions First Mystery Gift Distribution Now Live
Add some muscle to your team
Pokémon Champions has officially arrived on the Switch this week, and putting the teething issues aside for one moment, the battle title's first mystery gift event has now officially gone live. This will allow you to add a Machamp to your party. This Pokémon comes in a Cherish Ball and is equipped with the following...
News "Feels Like A Fleshed Out Beta" - Fans Are Unhappy With Pokémon Champions At Launch
Players use Work Up
Pokémon Champions, which stands to become the place for competitive VGC for Pokémon going forward, has arrived on the Switch today as a free-to-start experience. But early impressions from fans and competitive players has been... mixed, to say the least. Promising snappy competitive battles and a way for newcomers to get into...
PSA You Can Now Download Pokémon Champions On Switch
There's also a free update for Switch 2
Pokémon battles level-up today with the release of Pokémon Champions on the Switch eShop. If you aren't already playing it, here's our reminder that this free download is now officially available across Nintendo's storefronts around the globe. Before you jump in, it's worth noting that there's a starter...
Video 12 Exciting New Games Coming To Switch 1 & 2 In April 2026
Pokémon, Pragmata, Tomodachi Life and more!
April is officially underway, and it's another action-packed month for the Switch 1 & 2 in terms of new releases. There's a little bit of something for everyone - starting with Goat Simulator 3 on Switch 2, which is already available! Next week we've got Pokémon Champions, and in the middle of the month...
Video Pokémon Champions 'World Overview' Trailer Released
Introducing two characters from Frontier City
The new "free-to-start" battle title Pokémon Champions is out next week for the Switch on 8th April 2026, and to help build some excitement, The Pokémon Company has released a new "world overview" trailer. As you might have guessed from the title, this cinematic introduces trainers to the world of...
News Pokémon Legends: Z-A Is Getting Pokémon HOME Connectivity This Week
Update: Pokémon Home Version 4.0.0 is now live
If you've been wondering when Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be getting connectivity with the storage and trading cloud service app Pokémon Home, we've got some news. The Pokémon Company has officially announced Home on Switch and mobile devices will undergo maintenance at 9:00am JST on 2nd April 2026,...
News Pokémon VGC Competitions Officially Transition To Pokémon Champions
It's the "standard platform" for the VGC going forward
Last year, it was announced Pokémon's Video Game Championships would shift across to Pokémon Champions in 2026. With the "free-to-start" game's release date now locked in for 8th April 2026, it's been officially reconfirmed Pokémon's VGC competitions will transition from Pokémon Scarlet &...
Previews
Hands On Pokémon Champions Promises Top-Tier Battling, But At What Cost?
Put your money where your Meowth is
From the moment that it was revealed, I knew Pokémon Champions was going to be a tough sell for fans like me. You see, the battling has always been my least favourite part of the series — I'm more of a "catch 'em all" than "be the very best, like no one ever was" kinda guy — so seeing a game that promised to...
About The Game
Bringing Pokémon Battles to Everyone!
Battle with Pokémon against other players in the Pokémon Champions game! These battles use familiar mechanics from previous Pokémon series games such as Pokémon types, abilities, and moves, enabling the rich and varied battle strategies you may already know and love.
Compete in Ranked Battles against players from all over the world, or try Casual Battles for some easygoing fun. You can also have Private Battles with just your friends and family.
Pokémon Champions will be compatible with Pokémon HOME, the cloud service for the Nintendo Switch system and mobile devices. That means, in addition to the Pokémon partners available in Pokémon Champions, you can also team up with certain Pokémon brought over from past Pokémon series games and Pokémon GO.
About Using Nintendo Switch 2 to Play
Download a free update for improved graphics on the Nintendo Switch 2 system. Get a free update with visual improvements for Pokémon Champions on Nintendo Switch 2! An internet connection is required to download the update.
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