The latest "Pokémon Champions" announcement hits deep for Pokémon fans who grew up playing "Pokémon Colosseum." For many years, Nintendo hasn't released any similar games because the usual titles are for mainline entries.
Now, the fighting-only Pokémon title will bring the spirit of competitive battles in the modern period. However, some gamers are not yet happy with it because "Pokémon Champions" is a digital release only.
What is Pokémon Champions?
"Pokémon Champions" is being made as an online-centric battle game in which trainers can battle their Pokémon anytime and anywhere.
The game is also set to support different battle types, including Mega Evolution, Terastalization, and other previous battle systems. Although the reveal trailer created some noise, some details about the game have split fans down the middle.
Why Is "Pokémon Champions" Digital-Only?
Nintendo and Pokémon Company have confirmed that "Pokémon Champions" will be launched only as a downloadable title. Although this fits the increasingly popular trend of digital-first titles, it has come as a disappointment to collectors who prefer owning physical copies of games, GameRant observed.
Some have surmised that this might be because the game is more centered on online multiplayer, and thus digital distribution makes more sense in terms of offering regular updates and expansions.
Paid or Free-to-Play? Here's What We Know
One of the biggest mysteries about "Pokémon Champions" is whether it will be a free game or a paid game. The initial signs point to the Nintendo Switch version being a paid game, particularly since it needs an online subscription from Nintendo Switch Online to play multiplayer online.
While most free games would typically do away with the need for such an online subscription, "Pokémon Champions" requirement for an online subscription highly indicates that it will not be free.
That being said, the mobile version of "Pokémon Champions" might be set up differently. Given that Nintendo has already created free-to-play mobile titles in the form of "Pokémon Unite," there has been speculation surrounding the possibility that the smartphone title of Pokémon Champions might be a free-to-play game with microtransactions. Regardless, nothing official has been released yet.
Not All Pokémon Will Be Available at Launch
Another drawback for veteran fans is that not every 1,000+ Pokémon will be available in the game upon release. Though information is limited, it's likely that "Pokémon Champions" will only have a small number of Pokémon at launch, with additional Pokémon added through future updates. This is comparable to how past games such as Pokémon Sword & Shield and Pokémon Scarlet & Violet dealt with Pokédex restrictions.
More importantly, you cannot deposit a Pokémon you obtain in "Pokémon Champions" to Pokémon Home.
Pokémon Home Integration & Game Modes
Despite some apprehensions, "Pokemon Champions "will enable the transfer of Pokemon via Pokemon Home, so that competitive battlers can utilize their beloved creatures. The game is also likely to have at least three main game modes, but information on these modes is being kept under wraps.
When Is 'Pokémon Champions' Coming Out?
No official release date has been given, but "Pokémon Champions" should be out by the end of 2025. Further details are sure to emerge in the next few months, outlining more features, roster changes, and competitive aspects.
