The Pokémon Company has announced the date for the highly anticipated mobile release of Pokémon Champions. This Pokémon game focused on the competitive side of Pokémon battles was launched last April on Nintendo Switch, promising to be the new focal point of competitive play, as it will be where the official Pokémon tournaments will be held from now on, starting this year. Pokémon Champions comes with new features for everyone. The Pokémon Company has already confirmed some important things regarding this version. To begin with, we will be able to share our progress between our console and our mobile […]
The Pokémon Company has already confirmed some important things regarding this version. To start, we will be able to share our progress between our console and our mobile by linking a Nintendo account to both.
Additionally, players who log into the game after the mobile game launch and before September 2 will receive a special reward: a Raichu and the mega stones to mega evolve it: a Raichunita X and a Raichunita Y, to mega evolve into Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y respectively.
Although the game has caused some division within the community due to the relative scarcity of items and Pokémon, its reception has been positive. Less positive has been the glaring absence of new features over the months, likely due to the delay in the release of the mobile version. This is why players hope that, with the launch of this version for mobile devices, the game will start to evolve more quickly.
Pokémon Champions will be released for iOS and Android mobile devices on June 17. It is already available on Nintendo Switch. And if you like Pokémon, especially combat, and if you have any interest in competitive play, you shouldn’t miss this unique game.
Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Wave are two of the most anticipated games. Their presentation has caused a huge stir and fans can’t wait to get more details about the game, something that The Pokémon Company is aware of. This is why they are revealing everything in drips. This time, letting us hear for the first time the main song of the game along with a behind-the-scenes video of its recording. The video allows us not only to listen to the complete song in an impressive orchestral version performed by the NHK Symphony Orchestra, but also to hear […]
Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Wave are two of the most anticipated games. Their presentation has caused a huge stir and fans can’t wait to get more details about the game, something that The Pokémon Company is aware of. This is why they are dropping everything in drips. This time, letting us hear for the first time the main song of the game complete with a behind-the-scenes video of its recording.
The video allows us not only to listen to the complete song in an impressive orchestral version performed by the NHK Symphony Orchestra, but also to hear a complete version of it for the first time. Something that will delight fans who have not yet been able to hear it in full. Until now. This suggests that The Pokémon Company is already ready to start revealing some details about the game.
A game with few details (for now)
Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Wave will be released in 2027 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Beyond that, we know that the game is set in a tropical region made up of numerous waters, which will have underwater areas that we will need to explore and will have, as usual, three starter Pokémon. Their names are Bowl, a grass type; Pombon, a fire type; and Gecqua, a water type.
To learn more details, we will still have to wait. But we can do so by listening to this wonderful symphonic version of its main theme. Something that will surely make the wait feel shorter.
Pokémon is a franchise that has been dominating for years. It has everything to do so. Tremendously charismatic characters, a company with the financial and logistical muscle to carry it forward, and a fandom willing to forgive the missteps that are never so loud as to be a problem. At The Pokémon Company, they have what Disney, Sanrio, and practically no one else has: a franchise of eternal success and the intelligence to know how to exploit it. That is not the only reason for Pokémon’s popularity. Another is that its video games are good in a very peculiar way. They are accessible and enjoyable […]
Pokémon is a franchise that has been dominating for years. It has everything to do so. Tremendously charismatic characters, a company with the financial and logistical muscle to carry it forward, and a fandom willing to forgive the missteps that are never so loud as to be a problem. At The Pokémon Company, they have what Disney, Sanrio, and practically no one else has: a franchise of eternal success and the intelligence to know how to exploit it.
That is not the only reason for the popularity of Pokémon. Another is that its video games are good in a very peculiar way. They are accessible and enjoyable for casual and child audiences, for whom they are designed, but they are also deep enough for a whole competitive scene to emerge around them. One that is sanctioned by The Pokémon Company itself. Something they have wanted to exploit more deeply with Pokémon Champions.
Pokémon Champions shows that competitive play is for everyone
Launched on April 8 on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, with a mobile version announced for a later time this year, Pokémon Champions aims to be the centerpiece of competitive Pokémon gaming. This is evident from the moment we start the game.
Here there is barely any story. We don’t capture Pokémon, but rather obtain them through a kind of gacha system or transfer them from other Pokémon titles. We can’t even deeply customize our main character. The central part of the game is combat. With ranked, friendly, and tournament modes, everything revolves around battles, and after a series of tutorials to teach us the absolute basics of the game, we are given a choice of a Pokémon, provided with five others that align with it, and thrown into the arena to fight.
Pokémon Champions feels like it wants to convince players that competitive play is for everyone. And it succeeds. Because while it makes some concessions along the way to achieve this, what it does, to this day, adds more than it takes away from the game and its future possibilities.
If Pokémon’s competitive scene had two problems, they were, first, that it was completely inaccessible for newcomers, and second, that being connected to the main franchise games, they had to adhere to the rules and systems designed primarily for a casual experience. With Champions, specifically focused on providing a competitive game centered on combat, they have managed to address both issues. How? By doing something tremendously unpopular that has cost them a lot of criticism, somewhat unfairly: drastically cutting content.
In Pokémon Champions, there are 187 Pokémon and only mega evolutions as combat mechanics, of which there are 59. Items, a little over 100. Considering that there are currently 1,025 Pokémon, mega evolutions, Z-moves, Dynamax, Teracristalization, and moves +, in addition to a little over 300 items, many players have felt disappointed by the tremendous scarcity compared to what has been available so far. Especially because the next competitive season will already be played in Pokémon Champions.
But this change is positive. With fewer Pokémon and fewer items, it is easier to deal with for players who are entering competitive play for the first time, allowing for a simpler learning process. It also allows Pokémon Company to create tighter metas, where they delicately control the power level they want to achieve at any given moment, being able to combine different battle mechanics or items if they want to add an extra level of complexity at any given time. Giving them greater flexibility in shaping the competitive scene, and opening the possibility for a richer and more varied meta, thanks to that constraint. Because sometimes, less is more.
The problem of being free-to-play
That said, not everything is good. It is true that the absence of many key items and the focus on most items being mega-evolution stones, with most items being berries of one kind or another, makes item-based strategies excessively poor. This is something they should correct by adding in future updates, if not the most popular items from the competitive scene, then at least a dozen items that would make this strategic layer of the game richer and more complex.
The issue of monetization is more problematic. Because while it is not a problem now, it is easy to see how it could become one.
Pokémon Champions is very generous. Almost too generous. But that’s the trick. All free-to-play games start off being very generous only to end up not being so, and it’s easy to see how this can turn into a money pit. To begin with, the monthly battle passes, which mainly correspond to cosmetics, already represent a more than generous expense for anyone who wants to complete them monthly.
But, who wants to play completely free-to-play? They can, in theory. There is only one in-game currency and two types of different tickets, which are obtained through paid subscriptions, which, as we mentioned, have been distributed generously so far. And even more generously if you pay the 8 euros for the starter pack that gives a small advantage in that sense, but which is in no way necessary.
The problem is that the game has a subscription. For 50 euros annually, or 5 euros monthly, it offers great advantages in in-game currency and tickets. Although it remains to be seen whether it will really be necessary to keep up with the game’s updates, that is not the only subscription we will need. If we want to import our Pokémon from other installments of the franchise, we will have to bring them from Pokémon Home, a free app where we can store our Pokémon. As long as there are no more than 30.
Here is the trap that will surely end up costing money to its players. The Pokémon from Pokémon Home are not transferred to Pokémon Champions, but rather lent: they can be used in Champions, but they remain in Home. They take up space in both Home and Champions. This means that if we bring our previously optimized Pokémon from other games to save money, we will be testing the limits of our Home account. And if we exceed it, we will have to pay a monthly or annual subscription that, while not very expensive, is another subscription to add to the one for Champions. Or if we wanted to play free-to-play, one that we have to pay for, at least.
That is the big problem with the game. You can already see where they want to take our money. The most expensive thing by far is catching Pokémon, as obtaining Pokémon permanently is really costly, but bringing them from Home requires a permanent space that may lead us to have to pay a subscription, whether we want to or not. And that could very well end up being exactly what kills the game: The Pokémon Company’s need to get our money.
This weekend, the Pokémon World Championship brought together the best players in the world, who competed in various titles of the renowned franchise. Amid the excitement of the event, The Pokémon Company announced important news, including the upcoming expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, which will arrive in the fall and will feature the feared Mega Evolved Pokémon. Matches from another league This new expansion marks the first time that players will be able to use the Mega Evolved versions of their Pokémon, such as Mega Altaria, Mega Gyarados, and Mega Blaziken, all presented with high-quality illustrations. Without […]
This weekend, the Pokémon World Championship brought together the best players in the world, who competed in various titles of the renowned franchise. Amid the excitement of the event, The Pokémon Company announced important news, including the upcoming expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, which will arrive in autumn and will feature the feared Mega Evolved Pokémon.
Matches from another league
This new expansion marks the first time that players will be able to use the Mega Evolved versions of their Pokémon, such as Mega Altaria, Mega Gyarados, and Mega Blaziken, all presented with high-quality illustrations. However, the player community is divided regarding this inclusion, as the Mega Evolution mechanic grants three points for a victory, which could drastically alter the duration and strategy of battles.
To win a match, players must earn three points, which they currently achieve by defeating two EX rank Pokémon or another Mega Evolved Pokémon. The concern arises that a player might choose to hold back their Mega Evolution as a last resort, first eliminating two other Pokémon to power up the “final boss,” which could lead to shorter confrontations and potentially less balanced gameplay.
Aside from the strategic implications, the arrival of cards from group B means that many previously collected cards could become obsolete, a situation that worries competitive players, but is unlikely to affect collectors. As the release date approaches, fans should keep an eye out for future updates and announcements that may clarify how these new mechanics will influence the competitive landscape of the game.
During the Pokémon Presents event on July 22, the first details of a long-awaited joint project between The Pokémon Company and the famous animation studio Aardman, known for its iconic works like Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run, were announced. The new animated series, titled Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu, will be set in the Galar region, a space inspired by Great Britain and home to Pokémon like Sirfetch’d and Wooloo. Aardman has created some of the most famous animated series in the world Although the specific details of the plot are still […]
During the Pokémon Presents event on July 22, the first details of a highly anticipated joint project between The Pokémon Company and the famous animation studio Aardman, known for its iconic works such as Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run, were announced. The new animated series, titled Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu, will be set in the Galar region, a space inspired by Great Britain and home to Pokémon like Sirfetch’d and Wooloo.
Aardman has created some of the most famous animated series in the world
Although the specific details of the plot are still scarce, it has been confirmed that this installment will maintain the characteristic humor that has made Aardman famous, promising a narrative and visual style that will resonate with fans of their past creations. Pokémon Tales is expected to hit the screen sometime in 2027, with the streaming platform yet to be defined, which has generated speculation among fans.
Additionally, the week following the announcement will also bring news for fans of the franchise. On September 4, Netflix will release a trailer for Pokémon Concierge, a stop-motion series that premiered in 2023. While the number of shorts that will be part of this second season has not been revealed, the series has received positive feedback for its unique and endearing style.
With these initiatives, it seems that The Pokémon Company is committed to diversifying its animated offerings, exploring new styles and narratives. The collaboration with Aardman is particularly exciting, as it combines the popularity of Pokémon with the acclaimed animation expertise of this studio, which will undoubtedly attract both old and new fans of the franchise.
The video game developer Pocketpair is at the center of a legal controversy following a lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. The Japanese company claims that its title Palworld infringes multiple patents related to capture mechanics, which are fundamental to the gameplay of the game. The lawsuit was filed in September 2024 and seeks financial compensation, as well as a court order to prevent the sale and distribution of the game. Pocketpair justifies itself by citing other games In its defense, Pocketpair argues that the mechanics in question are not exclusive to Nintendo, citing […]
The video game developer Pocketpair is at the center of a legal controversy following a lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. The Japanese company claims that its title Palworld infringes multiple patents related to capture mechanics, which are fundamental to the gameplay of the game. The lawsuit was filed in September 2024 and seeks monetary compensation, as well as a court order to prevent the sale and distribution of the game.
Pocketpair justifies itself by citing examples from other games
In its defense, Pocketpair argues that the mechanics in question are not exclusive to Nintendo, citing examples from other renowned titles such as Rune Factory 5, Titanfall 2, and Pikmin 3. According to their statement, these games feature similar concepts, where players can release captured creatures in various directions, a crucial aspect of Palworld’s gameplay.
The study also mentions other titles such as Octopath Traveler and Final Fantasy XIV, which allow for the capture of creatures within their dynamics. “The idea of using throwable objects to capture creatures is not new and has been employed in various games before Nintendo claimed its patents,” states Pocketpair. Additionally, the developer refers to titles like Far Cry 5 and Tomb Raider, arguing that the existence of different types of throwable objects is common in the world of video games.
As this legal case unfolds, the implications could be significant for the video game industry, especially regarding intellectual property related to common game mechanics. The resolution of the lawsuit could set a precedent for how patents are interpreted and applied in the realm of video games, a topic that continues to be a subject of debate among developers and industry experts.
Pokémon is a franchise that is always looking for new projects, especially when it comes to animation. After the success of Pokémon Concierge on Netflix, it seems that The Pokémon Company is open to continuing to make series outside of their video game adaptations. And they have found a partner that not only delivers excellent work but also prestige. Aardman Animation has announced that it is working with The Pokémon Company on a new project related to Pokémon. Although they haven’t provided more details, this is great news. Aardman Animation is the team behind Chicken Run and […]
Pokémon is a franchise that is always looking for new projects, especially when it comes to animation. After the success of Pokémon Concierge on Netflix, it seems that The Pokémon Company is open to continuing to make series beyond adaptations of their video games. And they have found a partner that not only provides excellent work but also prestige.
Aardman Animation has announced that it is working with The Pokemon Company on a new project related to Pokémon. Although they have not given more details, this is great news. Aardman Animation are the people behind Chicken Run and Wallace & Gromit, being one of the most important animation studios in the world. This is a very interesting combination with Pokémon.
Although we are curious, we have to wait
Anyway, to know more we will have to wait. And quite a bit. Because its release date is scheduled for 2027. So it is likely that we won’t know more details until well into 2026. So although there are reasons for excitement, we will have to be patient with this project.
The Pokémon Company reprints a Pikachu card that caused disturbances upon its release, ensuring that there will now be enough cards for everyone.
Part of the charm of collectible card games is that some cards are very hard to obtain. They are printed in limited runs, in special situations, and have a collector’s value rather than a playable one. Something that The Pokémon Company knows well, although sometimes they have gone overboard.
Last year, the company collaborated with the Van Gogh museum, which included an exclusive letter. A Pikachu painted in the style of the painter called Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat. The excitement was such at the time of its presentation on social media that the influx of visitors to the museum caused them to sell out almost instantly, leading to exorbitant prices in the resale market. Currently, they are reaching over $200 on eBay.
That’s why, according to Pokebeach, they have decided to reprint the card. Although only available in the Netherlands, anyone who spends more than €30 on Pokémon trading card game products at Bruna, Game Mania, Intertoys, Media Markt, Primera, Top1Toys or Smyths Toys Superstores stores in the country will receive a free copy of this unique card. While this leaves the rest of us out, it will undoubtedly lower the price of this desired collector’s item.
The controversy regarding the similarities of PalWorld’s pals with Pokémon continues, and several Twitter users have shown that the similarities are… too much.
Palworld has been a sales success. It has a number of simultaneous players that competes only with the most played games in history. And controversy accompanies it and intensifies more and more. Because although it is something that has been happening since its launch last Friday, according to the information that has been collected, small investigations have been emerging that put into question the idea that Palworld is a mere parody. Because there are reasons to think otherwise.
The person who has kicked off with a more serious and in-depth research work is Cecilia Fae on Twitter. Creating a thread comparing all the pal, the monsters of Palworld, which bear any resemblance to any kind of Pokémon, she has sought to determine to what extent they can be defined as ripoffs of the Nintendo franchise. What she has found is that out of 111 pal, at least 63 can be defined somewhere between plagiarism and suspicious similarity. An alarming number, considering that it represents more than half of the game’s creatures.
In fact, the evidence has only been rapidly piling up from this point on. Twitter user byofrog is making a series of short videos demonstrating how the base model of some pals is practically identical to that of certain Pokémon. What does this mean? Well, as several professional artists have pointed out to Video Games Chronicle, it is likely that they used the models to slightly modify them and then paint over them, thus creating their own monsters. Something that falls directly into the field of plagiarism.
In fact, one of the artists who spoke anonymously to VGC was very explicit about it. “You can’t, under any circumstances, accidentally have the same proportions in multiple models from another game without extracting the models. Or at the very least, meticulously copying them first.” Something that, if it is confirmed that the models from both games come from the same source, puts Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, in a tricky situation.
Regarding all this, Pocketpair’s CEO, Takuro Mizobe, has preferred to keep a low profile. Stating that they have passed legal analysis and that no other company has taken legal action against them, he has pointed out that “we have no intention of violating the intellectual property of other companies.”
Something that, in turn, may change in the near future. At least if The Pokémon Company’s policies haven’t changed over time. Because according to Don McGowan, who led the company’s legal team between 2008 and 2020 in Game File, journalist Stephen Totilo’s video game newsletter, “this looks like the typical senseless plagiarism that I had to see thousands of times a year when I was Chief Legal Officer of Pokémon”. Adding that “I’m surprised it has come this far”.
As Stephen Totilo has mentioned in this same newsletter, Mizobe doesn’t like the comparisons between Palworld and Pokémon and appreciates when journalists point out that these similarities are superficial. Unfortunately, it seems that these similarities may be much deeper than they appear. And even though he doesn’t like it, it seems bound that we will continue to talk about Palworld with the name Pokémon next to it for a long time. Especially while the extreme and practically impossible similarities between their models are being clarified.
