The Pokémon Company has announced that Pokémon Champions launches on April 8 for Switch and Switch 2. A Pokémon Champions + Starter Pack bundle will also be available on launch day, which includes the base game along with extra Pokémon storage space, an additional battle song, and other in-game perks. Switch 2 players will be able to download a free update for enhanced visuals. A mobile version is also in the works, with cross-platform play between Switch and mobile devices.
Pokémon Champions is a battle-focused game that uses the familiar mechanics Pokémon fans know: types, Abilities, moves, and the deep strategy that competitive players have been building around for decades. It’s not an open-world adventure or a cozy builder this time around. This is all about the battles, with both Ranked and Casual options. The game will also link with Pokémon HOME, letting players bring over certain Pokémon from past games and Pokémon GO.
The more interesting news is the Mega Evolutions making their way over from Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Mega Meganium, Mega Emboar, and Mega Feraligatr are all confirmed, and some of them are coming with brand-new Abilities. Mega Meganium gets Mega Sol, which lets it use moves as if harsh sunlight is active. Mega Emboar has Mold Breaker, allowing its moves to ignore the target’s Ability. Mega Feraligatr’s new Ability, Dragonize, turns Normal-type moves into Dragon-type moves with a 20 percent power boost. That last one is going to make competitive players very happy, or very angry, depending on which side of the matchup they’re on.
