1Developer & Publisher
- Developed by The Pokémon Works (their debut title)
- Published by Nintendo worldwide on Switch
- Mobile versions by The Pokémon Company
- Built on the Unity engine
Now live on Nintendo Switch & Switch 2
Everything About Pokémon Champions, in One Hub.
The free-to-play, battle-focused Pokémon game from The Pokémon Works — gameplay modes, the full Mega Stones guide, launch bug tracker, pricing and competitive meta, all sourced from launch-week coverage.
- Release Date
- Apr 8, 2026Mobile • 2026
- Platforms
- Switch / Switch 2iOS & Android
- Price
- Free-to-StartIn-app purchases
- Mega Stones
- 57 at LaunchFrom 2,000 VP
Overview
What is Pokémon Champions?
A new, battle-focused Pokémon title built for the competitive VGC scene — and the first game from The Pokémon Works, the joint venture between The Pokémon Company and ILCA.
2Battle-First Design
- Turn-based with familiar types, abilities, moves
- Similar in feel to the classic Pokémon Stadium series
- Supports Mega Evolution via the Omni Ring
- Terastallization planned for a future update
3Competitive Home
- Replaces mainline games at VGC 2026
- First official event: Malaysia Master Ball League (May 9–10)
- Full Pokémon HOME integration
- Cross-platform battles between Switch and mobile
Battle Modes
Three Ways to Battle
Every mode supports both Single and Double Battles. Victory Points (VP) drive progression and can only be earned through play — not purchased.
★Ranked Battles
Global matchmaking where your rank shifts with every result. The primary source of Victory Points. New regulations rotate every few seasons to refresh the meta.
✦Casual Battles
Low-pressure matches with no rank impact. Perfect for testing new teams, unusual Mega Evolutions or niche strategies without worrying about your ladder standing.
♦Private Battles
Custom rooms for battling friends and family online or via local wireless. Ideal for scrims, tournaments and teaching newer players the ropes.
Guide
How to Get Mega Stones
There are 57 Mega Stones available at launch. Most can be bought outright, but a handful are locked behind tutorials or transfers from Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Equipping
Box → Pokémon → Give an item to hold → press R to the Mega Stones tab. In battle, after selecting Fight, press R to Mega Evolve — once per battle only.
Getting Them
Most stones come from one of four routes below. Pricing and exclusivity vary by stone — plan your roster accordingly.
Frontier Shop
The primary source. Each Mega Stone costs 2,000 VP and can be used indefinitely once purchased. Accessible directly from the main menu.
Mega Evolution Tutorials
Some stones are not available in the Frontier Shop — they only unlock through Battle Tutorials under the Train menu.
Legends: Z-A Transfers
Four stones are exclusive to transfers from Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Chesnaught, Delphox, Greninja and Eternal Flower Floette. Accept the Pokémon and the stone lands in your mailbox.
Premium Battle Pass
The paid track of the Battle Pass contains stones that overlap with — or extend — the Frontier Shop catalogue. Also the source for season rewards like Dragoninite.
Launch Tracker
A Rocky Launch, In Detail
Reviews called the launch "like a beta test." Here's every confirmed issue and developer response, sourced from IGN, Kotaku, GameSpot and Reddit.
Switch 2 Dock Resolution Bug
Docked Switch 2 players are stuck at 1080p until they physically undock and re-dock the console — after which the game finally switches to 4K (still locked at 30fps). The workaround must be repeated on every cold boot.
"ILCA and Unity. What a duo." — Joe Merrick, Serebii.net
Pokémon HOME Transfer Error 9007
Transferring Pokémon from HOME triggers an error that leaves creatures registered as "visiting" Champions — they cannot be recovered or used and get stuck in limbo. Temporary fixes include reinstalling HOME or clearing caches, but nothing worked universally. Developers later confirmed the bug has been patched.
"Trans Gallade" Tutorial Bug
A tutorial battle featured a female Gallade — which is technically impossible in Pokémon lore, since Gallade only evolves from male Kirlia. The community celebrated the accidental queer icon before devs confirmed it as a bug to be patched.
"It's over guys they're taking trans Gallade from us." — @IronValiantOU on X
Confirmed Bug List From Developers
Alongside "sincere apologies," the team published a known-issues list:
- Lightning Rod ability not working correctly
- Leech Seed move description is wrong
- Mega Evolution triggers in the wrong order during battle
- Hovering Mega Evolve + pressing B soft-locks move selection
- Several tutorial Pokémon have incorrect genders (see above)
Community Reaction
Top comment captures the prevailing mood across r/NintendoSwitch, r/pokemon and r/stunfisk:
"Is there an industry-wide removal of QA, and just letting players do QA for free?" — u/Dairunt · 1K+ upvotes
Pricing
Free to Start, Paid to Expand
Champions is free-to-play but layered with optional purchases. Here's the full monetisation breakdown disclosed by Nintendo and IGN at launch.
Starter Pack
$6.99 one-off
- Expanded Pokémon storage
- Pairs with the base free game
- Entry-level purchase for casual players
Annual Membership
$49.99 /year — or $4.99/mo
- Extra Pokémon box capacity
- More Battle Teams usable at once
- Exclusive missions
- Exclusive battle music tracks
Premium Battle Pass
$9.99 per season
- Extra seasonal rewards
- Exclusive trainer clothing
- Paid-track Mega Stones (e.g. Dragoninite)
FAQ
People Also Ask
Quick answers sourced from the official site, Wikipedia and launch coverage.
When did Pokémon Champions release?
Pokémon Champions launched on April 8, 2026 for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. iOS and Android versions are scheduled for later in 2026, and all platforms share a single cross-play ecosystem.
Is Pokémon Champions free to play?
Yes. The base game is free-to-start. Optional paid items include a $49.99/year (or $4.99/month) membership, a $6.99 Starter Pack and a $9.99 Premium Battle Pass per season.
How many Mega Stones are in Pokémon Champions at launch?
There are 57 Mega Stones at launch. Most are bought in the Frontier Shop for 2,000 VP each. Four are exclusive to Pokémon transfers from Pokémon Legends: Z-A: Chesnaught, Delphox, Greninja and Eternal Flower Floette.
Can I transfer Pokémon from Pokémon HOME?
Yes — Pokémon HOME integration is built in and supports creatures from Pokémon Scarlet/Violet, Legends: Z-A and Pokémon GO. At launch a 9007 error trapped some Pokémon in limbo, but the developers confirmed the bug has since been patched.
Does Pokémon Champions support Terastallization?
Not at launch. Mega Evolution is the signature mechanic for now, using the in-game Omni Ring. Terastallization is expected to arrive in a future update as new seasonal regulations roll out.
Will Champions replace mainline games at VGC events?
Yes. Starting with the Malaysia Master Ball League (May 9–10, 2026) and the Indianapolis Regional Championships (May 29–31, 2026), Champions becomes the official VGC software, replacing Scarlet and Violet for competitive events.
Why are players complaining about Switch 2 graphics?
A launch bug locks docked Switch 2 play at 1080p until you physically undock and re-dock the console, after which the game renders at 4K (still capped at 30fps). The workaround must be repeated every cold boot.