Pokémon Champions review: A new arena for competitive battling

Unlike mainline Pokémon titles, Champions contains no gyms, towns, or NPCs to speak of; it pits players directly against other trainers online. The game is available for free on the Nintendo eShop for Switch and Switch 2, as well as on Android and iOS. It includes optional microtransactions such as a monthly battle pass, a membership subscription, and a $7 starter pack, some of which provide bonuses like extra Pokémon storage.

The standalone game exists to support Pokémon tournaments and online battling, replacing the previous system in which competitive matches were held on the latest mainline title, the review explains. With spin-off games like Pokémon Legends: Z-A and Pokémon Legends: Arceus introducing new Pokémon and reworked battle systems, Champions also serves to showcase those creatures while preserving the franchise's classic turn-based combat.

The biggest change, according to the review, is team building. Instead of catching or breeding Pokémon with exact stats, players recruit monsters from a character named Kitt at the ranch. Players start with 10 Pokémon and can pick one new Pokémon per lineup generation for free once a day, or speed things up with Quick Coupons or Victory Points. Pokémon can also be transferred from previous games via Pokémon Home, though they continue to occupy a storage slot there.

Champions also does away with traditional IVs and EVs, combining them into generic Stat Points. All monsters are automatically set to level 50, putting everyone on a level playing field. The reviewer, a Pokémon player since Red and Blue, said the game unlocked a newfound appreciation for the competitive side of the turn-based combat system.