A brand-new Pokemon battle experience is on the horizon with *Pokemon Champions*, an exciting competitive PvP game announced during the February 2025 Pokemon Presents. Developed by The Pokemon Works with support from Game Freak, this game is set to launch on Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, offering cross-platform Pokemon battles to a broader audience than ever before.
Here's everything we know about *Pokemon Champions* so far, including thoughts on a potential release window, the latest trailer, and gameplay details.
Table of Contents
- Pokemon Champions’ Potential Release Date Window
- Pokemon Champions Trailer Breakdown
- Gameplay & Features
Pokemon Champions’ Potential Release Date Window
While there's no official release date yet, we anticipate that *Pokemon Champions* might see a release sometime in 2026. The game's trailer indicated that it's "now in development," and considering *Pokemon Legends Z-A*—shown in the same presentation—is slated for late 2025, The Pokemon Company might prefer to space out their releases. To ensure *Pokemon Champions* gets the attention it deserves, Nintendo and The Pokemon Company could opt for a later release date, creating some distance from *Pokemon Legends Z-A*.
Related: Which Starter Should You Choose in Pokemon Legends: Z-A?
Pokemon Champions Trailer Breakdown
The reveal trailer for *Pokemon Champions* provides a glimpse into the game's aesthetic and tone, though it doesn't showcase extensive gameplay. It starts with a nostalgic look at the evolution of Pokemon battles across Nintendo consoles before transitioning to a real-time battle between two players—one on a mobile device, the other on a Nintendo Switch. The setting is a massive, futuristic battle arena filled with cheering crowds and dazzling spotlights, giving the game a grand esports vibe.
The trailer's highlight is a flashy showdown featuring Charizard and Samurott squaring off against Dondozo and Aegislash in what appears to be a 1v1 or 2v2 format. The visuals suggest that battles in *Pokemon Champions* will offer a more visually spectacular experience than those in *Scarlet & Violet*.
Related: Pokémon Legends: Z-A Can Fix One Major Gen IX Drawback
Gameplay & Features
Image Source: The Pokemon Works
Although details are limited, *Pokemon Champions* is confirmed to focus exclusively on battles, rather than traditional catching and exploration. Players will have the ability to connect to *Pokemon Home*, enabling them to bring their favorite Pokemon from past games into the competition.
The cross-play functionality between Switch and mobile devices hints at an accessible yet deeply competitive online experience. With Game Freak involved in planning, *Pokemon Champions* could be a significant step towards creating a dedicated Pokemon esports title. Whether it will cater to casual players or those seeking hardcore ranked battles is yet to be determined, but all eyes are eagerly awaiting the next trailer drop—and, of course, that elusive release date.
Now that you're up to date with *Pokemon Champions*, explore all the Pokemon confirmed in *Legends: Z-A* so far. Additionally, delve into what the "A" stands for in *Pokemon Legends: Z-A* to keep your Pokemon knowledge sharp.
