Pokémon Unite
News, coverage and analysis tracking Pokémon Unite across the outlets.
Pokemon Unite 5th Anniversary Update - 4 New LicencesPokemon Unite is celebrating its 5th anniversary starting July 21, 2026, with the addition of four new legendary Pokemon licenses: Yveltal on July 3, Palkia on July 17, Reshiram on August 7, and Solgaleo on August 21. The Pokemon Company and TiMi Studio Group will also host events offering in-game rewards like license art and holowear.
Pokemon Champions dev explains why matches are so shortMasaaki Hoshino, producer of Pokemon Champions, explained the design choice for short, four-minute matches, a reduction from the five-minute goal and even shorter than Pokemon Unite's ten-minute matches. This was achieved by streamlining animations, simultaneous effects, and an early surrender option, aiming to keep players engaged in continuous battles. The game is available on Nintendo eShop and mobile platforms.
Evening Reading - June 12, 2026This edition of Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news and features, including discussions on Destiny 2 raids, roguelike autoshooters like Blood Dungeon, and the Virtua Fighter series. It also highlights deals for PlayStation and PC, updates on Sea of Thieves and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, and mentions of Pokémon UNITE and Super Mario RPG. The article also touches on unrelated news like SpaceX's IPO and AI model suspensions.
Pokemon NAIC 2026 Twitch Drops Details & How to RedeemViewers watching the 2026 Pokémon North America International Championships can earn exclusive in-game rewards for Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon UNITE, and Pokémon GO by tuning into Twitch broadcasts. Specific rewards include Blastoise in a Cherish Ball, a Seaking with Icy Wind, a Platinum Blastoise Boost Emblem, and various digital booster packs and items for Pokémon TCG Live. Rewards must be claimed by June 26, 2026, with some having later redemption deadlines.
New Pokemon announced for Pokemon UnitePokemon Unite has announced the upcoming addition of new Pokemon characters, including Typhlosion, Feraligatr, and Meganium, throughout April and May. These characters will join the free-to-play MOBA available on iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch. Further details on their abilities will be released soon.
Do You Need Nintendo Switch Online To Play Pokemon Champions?Pokemon Champions is a free-to-start title available on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 that does not require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for online play. Players only need an active internet connection to participate in online multiplayer battles. The game also features optional in-game purchases such as a monthly membership and a Premium Battle Pass.
Does Pokemon Champions require Nintendo Switch Online?Pokemon Champions does not require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play online battles or use features like Pokemon Home. While the game is free-to-play, the official website indicates that a Nintendo Switch Online membership may be necessary for certain content, possibly including online competitions.
Pokémon Champions Plans To Keep The Stadium Lights On For A Very Long TimeThe 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.
Interview: How An Italian Lunch Led To The New Standard For Competitive Pokémon BattlingMasaaki 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.
Pokémon Champions Is Coming To Nintendo Switch On April 8, With Free-To-Start ModelPokémon Champions will launch on April 8 for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, featuring a free-to-start model similar to Pokémon Unite. The game focuses entirely on player-versus-player battles with various online modes, including Ranked and Casual Battles. While the base game is free, optional purchases like the Starter Pack bundle and a Premium Battle Pass will be available.
Every Pokémon Game on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 in 2026 - IGNThis article provides a comprehensive list of all Pokémon games released and announced for the Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. It details 15 titles currently available on the Switch, including mainline entries and spinoffs, and highlights upcoming games like Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen remakes, Pokémon Pokopia, Pokémon Winds and Waves, and Pokémon Champions, with release dates extending into 2027.
Everything Announced During the February Pokémon PresentsThe February Pokémon Presents featured numerous announcements, including the reveal of Generation 10 titled Pokémon Wind and Waves, set for a 2027 release. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is coming to Nintendo Switch Classics in March, and Pokémon Champions will launch on Nintendo Switch and mobile devices in April. Updates were also announced for Pokémon Masters EX, Pokémon Cafe Remix, and Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Everything We Saw At Pokémon Presents For February 2026 | Console CreaturesThe Pokémon Company revealed several upcoming releases and updates during their February 2026 presentation. New mainline titles, Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, are slated for 2027. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is coming to Nintendo Switch Online in March 2026, and a Switch version of Pokémon Champions will launch in April 2026.
Here's everything announced in today’s 30th anniversary Pokémon Presents showcaseThe Pokémon Company celebrated the franchise's 30th anniversary with a Pokémon Presents showcase, revealing numerous announcements. Highlights include the debut of Gen 10, Pokémon Winds and Waves, set for a 2027 release, and Pokémon Champions launching on Switch in April 2026. The event also featured updates for Pokémon Go, Pokémon Masters EX, Pokémon Café Remix, Pokémon Sleep, Pokémon Unite, and Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, alongside the confirmation that Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness is coming to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
Everything announced at Pokémon Presents February 2026: Pokémon Winds and Waves officially revealedThe Pokémon Presents February 2026 showcase officially revealed Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, set to launch simultaneously in 2027 exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. The presentation also featured updates on various existing Pokémon titles, including Pokémon Champions, Pokémon Unite, and Pokémon Go, alongside the announcement of Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness coming to Nintendo Switch Online.
Report: Tencent quietly shutters Timi MontrealTencent has reportedly closed its Montreal-based game development studio, Timi Montreal, approximately five years after its establishment. The studio was tasked with creating an original AAA, service-driven open-world game for multiple platforms. This closure follows other recent restructuring and job cuts within Tencent's global gaming divisions.
Tencent reportedly shutter open world game studio which had drafted in former Assassin’s Creed directorTencent has reportedly shut down its TiMi Montreal studio, which was established in 2021 with the aim of developing multi-platform open-world games. Despite five years of operation and hiring former Assassin's Creed creative director Ashraf Ismail, the studio did not release any titles. This closure aligns with a broader trend of Chinese gaming giants scaling back Western expansion efforts.
Tencent shutters TiMi MontrealTencent has closed its studio TiMi Montréal, which was led by former Assassin's Creed creative director Ashraf Ismail. The five-year-old studio was focused on AAA open-world multi-platform games and had inherited titles from Jade Studio, including Pokémon Unite and Call of Duty: Mobile. Sources indicated that the shutdown was imminent.
Pokémon Unite Is Adding The Original Legendary Bird Trio As Playable PokémonPokémon Unite is adding the legendary bird trio Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres as playable characters, with Zapdos arriving on February 27, 2026, for the franchise's 30th anniversary. The free-to-play MOBA is available on mobile devices and the Nintendo Switch.
Report: Tencent was Highguard's secret financial backerA report indicates that Tencent, through its subsidiary TiMi Studio Group, was the primary financial backer for Wildlight Entertainment's hero shooter, Highguard. Neither company has officially confirmed the report, though Wildlight CEO Dusty Welch has previously declined to discuss funding sources. Highguard launched as a free-to-play title in January 2026 but reportedly failed to meet internal expectations, leading to significant layoffs shortly after its release.