Pokémon Champions
News, coverage and analysis tracking Pokémon Champions across the outlets.
Latest coverage
2026 video game release date calendar
This article provides a comprehensive calendar of video game releases scheduled for 2026, including specific dates for titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 in November and early year releases such as Resident Evil Requiem. It details monthly releases across various platforms and lists notable titles with TBD release dates, promising to be updated as new information becomes available.
Pokemon Champions won’t have IVs, developer explains why
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino explained that the upcoming Nintendo Switch title will remove IVs (Individual Values) to make the competitive scene more accessible. The game is scheduled to launch on April 8 for the Nintendo Switch and the unreleased Switch 2.
Saros Gameplay Breakdown With Boss Fight (w/ Commentary)
This article provides a gameplay breakdown of Saros, highlighting its boss fights and commentary. It also features trailers and gameplay reveals for other titles including Crimson Desert, HOARDER, PAYDAY: Aces High, MARVEL Tokon: Fighting Souls, and GUILTY GEAR STRIVE.
Pokemon Champions producer had a "heated discussion" with one of Game Freak's original battle designers about removing a complicated mechanic after 30 years to make PvP more accessible
Pokemon Champions will remove the IV stat system to make competitive play more accessible, a decision producer Masaaki Hoshino discussed with an original Game Freak battle designer. This change aims to lower the barrier to entry for players interested in the Player vs Player aspect of the series. The free-to-play title will serve as the official game for the Pokemon Video Game Championships.
Pokémon Champions Plans To Keep The Stadium Lights On For A Very Long Time
The Pokémon Company plans for Pokémon Champions to be a long-lasting live service game, with producer Masaaki Hoshino stating the goal is to keep it running "basically forever" as long as the Pokémon series continues. The free-to-start game will launch on Nintendo Switch on April 8, 2026, with a release on mobile devices later this year and a free update for the Switch 2 at launch.
This Week in Switch 2 - Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream preview, Mario Wonder & NTDOY FUD busting
This podcast episode previews Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and discusses the Pokémon Champions overview trailer. It also addresses concerns regarding Nintendo's future and the potential 'Switch 2' console.
Pokémon Champions Won't Let You Use Pokémon That Aren't Fully Evolved
Masaaki Hoshino, producer of Pokémon Champions, stated that only fully evolved Pokémon will be available at launch. Some exceptions, such as Pikachu and Eevee, may be included.
Pokemon Champions producer says it could run “forever” if the series does
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino stated that the game is planned to run "forever" as long as the Pokemon series continues. The free-to-start title, launching on April 8th for Nintendo Switch, features extensive customization options. Its long-term success will depend on its initial reception and solid foundations.
Interview: How An Italian Lunch Led To The New Standard For Competitive Pokémon Battling
Masaaki Hoshino, Game Producer and Development Director at The Pokémon Company, discusses the development of Pokémon Champions, an upcoming competitive battling game for the Nintendo Switch. Hoshino highlights the game's focus on accessibility for new players while maintaining depth for competitive fans, drawing inspiration from past titles like Pokkén Tournament and the core Pokémon battle system. The interview also touches on the game's planned roster expansion and the evolution of the series over its 30-year history.
Pokemon Champions dev talks future plans, could be around “forever”
Pokemon Champions will launch on April 8 for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, with producer Masaaki Hoshino expressing a desire for the game to be supported "forever." The game will feature evolving "Regulation Sets" to change the meta over time, and while there are no concrete plans to include every Pokemon, the team aims to add as many as possible.
Pokémon Champions is releasing on Nintendo Switch consoles in early April, but its "free-to-start" package raises some questions about its pricing model
Pokémon Champions is set to release on Nintendo Switch in early April, aiming to evolve the franchise's competitive scene. However, its "free-to-start" model, which includes a Battle Pass, Starter Pack, and Champions Membership, raises concerns about the overall cost for players seeking the best experience. The game will also allow transfers from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet and Pokémon Legends: Z-A, but not from Pokémon Go.
Pokemon Champions could run "forever" if the series does, producer says, even if that means cramming "10,000 Pokemon" into the PvP battler as part of the process
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino stated the game is planned to be updated indefinitely, potentially including "10,000 Pokemon" in the future. He expressed a goal to include as many Pokemon as possible in the player-versus-player battler.
I made a competitively viable team in a matter of minutes in Pokemon Champions, and I'm confident this could open the door to high-level battles for newcomers galore
Pokemon Champions aims to lower the barrier to entry for competitive Pokemon battling with simplified mechanics and a free-to-play model. The game will support Pokemon Home integration and feature a gacha system for recruiting new Pokemon, with monetization details still to be fully revealed. Despite some concerns about its monetization, the game is expected to significantly impact the Video Game Championships scene.
Pokemon Champions producer "really enjoyed" the Pokemon Stadium games, and used them as a "reference" to help more players get into PvP
Pokemon Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino discussed the game's focus on accessibility and simplifying high-level PvP battles for a wider audience, drawing inspiration from the Pokemon Stadium series. The game will serve as the official hub for the Video Game Championships, integrating various mechanics like Mega Evolution and Z-Moves, and is planned to evolve over time with new Pokemon and content.
Hands On: Pokémon Champions Promises Top-Tier Battling, But At What Cost?
Pokémon Champions aims to be the premier battle game for the competitive scene, integrating mechanics like Mega Evolutions and Terrastalisation. While the accessible team-building and training systems are promising, the game's 'free-to-start' model raises concerns about multiple in-game currencies and potential pay-to-win elements, leaving its ultimate value proposition uncertain.
Mario's New Adventure: Fun Ride, But Is It Worth the Sw... | TAG
This article covers multiple gaming news topics including a review of Super Mario Bros. Wonder Bellabel Park for the Switch 2, the release date and details for Pokemon Champions, Nintendo's decision to cut Switch 2 production, and updates on Crimson Desert, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Hello Kitty: Island Adventure. It also touches on McDonald's KPop Demon Hunters collaboration, a leak for PlayStation Plus Essential games, Square Enix's top publisher ranking, and warnings about Intel CPU benchmarks.
Pokemon Champions Is Something We've Needed For A Long Time
Pokemon Champions aims to be a free-to-play, live-service battle simulator that keeps traditional turn-based Pokemon battles available indefinitely. Development director Masaaki Hoshino stated the game simplifies competitive mechanics like EVs and IVs to lower the barrier to entry. Set to release on Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, the game streamlines the process of obtaining and training Pokemon for competitive play.
Pokemon Champions Will Take A Key Stat Out Of Its Battle Equation
Pokemon Champions, launching April 8 on Nintendo Switch and later on mobile, will remove Individual Values (IVs) and simplify Effort Values (EVs) from its battle mechanics. This change aims to lower the barrier to entry for new players, though the exact reasons for removing IVs were not fully explained. The game will be free-to-start.
Pokemon Champions Will Not Support All 1000+ Pokemon At Launch
Pokemon Champions will launch on April 8 for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, but will only feature fully evolved Pokemon at release, according to producer Masaaki Hoshino. This restriction will impact the competitive scene, as the game replaces Pokemon Scarlet and Violet as the featured title for the VGC. Earlier evolutions may be considered for future updates.
ICYMI: Pokémon Champions Is Getting A Free Update For Switch 2
The Pokémon Company and Nintendo have announced that Pokémon Champions will receive a free update for the Nintendo Switch 2, offering enhanced visual performance at launch on April 8, 2026. The game is free-to-start with optional paid content, and the mobile version is also scheduled for release later this year.
