Pokémon Champions arrives on Android and iOS

Pokémon Champions arrived on Android and iOS devices on Wednesday. The free download includes in-app microtransactions and is a battle-focused spin-off that recalls the Pokémon Stadium games.

The game uses turn-based battles rather than the real-time system introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Players "recruit" Pokémon with in-game currency called Victory Points instead of catching them in the wild, and can import Pokémon from Pokémon Home. Although there are over 1,000 Pokémon in existence, Champions launched with just under 200.

Champions received a divided reception when it launched on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 in April, with some fans appreciating changes and others frustrated. Both mobile and console players can claim a Raichu and its Mega Stones from the in-game mailbox until Sept. 2, and a new battle pass and ranked battle season began Wednesday.

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