Battle to your heart’s content in Pokémon Champions
The newest Pokémon game can now be played from your phone. On Wednesday, Pokémon Champions arrived on Android and iOS devices. Like other mobile Pokémon games, such as Pokémon GO or Pokémon TCG Pocket, it’s a free download with in-app microtransactions.
It’s a battle-focused spin-off that’s not unlike the Pokémon Stadium games of yesteryear. Unlike the latest mainline game, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, which introduced a new real-time battle system, Pokémon Champions keeps things simple by going back to turn-based Pokémon battles.
Instead of catching Pokémon out in the wild, you’ll “recruit” them to your team. (By spending in-game currency, of course, called Victory Points.) You can also import Pokémon over from Pokémon Home if you want to battle with familiar faces. While there are over 1,000 (1,000!) Pokémon in existence, Pokémon Champions launched with just under 200 Pokémon.
Pokémon Champions received a divided reception when it was released on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 in April, with fans enjoying some changes and being frustrated by others. We at Polygon found it to have something of an identity crisis: “Depending on who you are, Champions is either a slap in the face to long-time players, a much-needed introduction to newcomers, or business as usual for the series’ competitive scene.”
Both mobile and console players can now receive a Raichu and its Mega Stones through the in-game mailbox. They’ll be available to claim until Sept. 2. A new battle pass is also now available alongside a new ranked battle season that started Wednesday.
Pokémon Champions is unfinished by design
When a game launch feels more like a new customer service
