Pokémon Champions’ upcoming mobile release could be the resurgence it needs
After a somewhat mediocre launch, Pokémon Champions could fit very well on iOS and Android as it launches later this month.
As someone who enjoys the collecting aspect over the battling, Pokémon Champions still enticed me during its Switch 2 launch. However, with little access to my Switch 2 when I’m out and about, as well as the fact that it’s free-to-start - not free-to-play - left me a little concerned about the future of this battle-only experience. However, the mobile release has been announced, and I’m hoping I can give it another shot to make me a Champions fan.
My opinions of Pokémon Champions aren’t worth being fully formed just yet. I’ve only played it very briefly on the Nintendo Switch 2, and while I enjoyed the battling, I do think the monetisation is a bit overkill, even for Nintendo’s standards. Add that to the fact that I only play the Switch 2 at home, and well, I just have more games to finish before I start another live-service to my list.
I’ve been waiting to give it a fair shot at winning my ever-growing Pokélove when the mobile release rolls around, allowing me to take my favourite ‘mon in my pocket wherever I may go. Fortunately, Pokémon Champions finally has a release date of Wednesday, 17th June, 2026, for iOS and Android devices - as a bonus, anyone who joins on release day until the 2nd September, you’ll get a free Raichu, alongside Raichunite X, and Raichunite Y to mega evolve it.
For those who’ve already started their battling career on Switch, there’s cross-save and cross-play, meaning the existing audience can compete with those on iPhone or Android devices. Honestly, the ability to take your progress across platforms is such a luxury in modern gaming, and it never fails to make me happy whenever I see it get mentioned.
My only concern is that the release date reveal even mentions ‘free-to-start’, and mobile players are mostly free-only gamers. That leaves a huge share of the audience on smartphones who won’t engage further after downloading, which could be catastrophic for the playerbase. I’m hoping Champions will have its Pokémon Unite-level turnaround earlier rather than later, as the latter is not as popular as it was or should have been.
Either way, I’m excited to give it a better shot at stealing my time later this month. If it doesn’t capture my free time, I’ll at least have Pokémon Ex Masters, and Pokémon GO, and Pokopia… I’m not hard pressed for choice, it seems.
