Skip to main content

Everything we know about Pokémon Unite

If Nintendo didn’t make it clear that Pokémon games are coming into a new era with the announcement trailer for Pokémon Legends: Arceus, they certainly are hammering in the point with Pokémon Unite, the series’ upcoming first foray into the free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) genre. We’ve gotten glimpses of what a Pokémon game focused around fighting could look like with Pokken Tournament DX and the Pokémon characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but this is a whole new world.

Has Nintendo studied the MOBA genre enough to pull in veteran players from League of Legends or DOTA 2? Or will this game be a good access point for MOBAs for Pokémon fans who have never explored the genre? We’ll have to wait and see!

Related Videos

Until then, here’s everything we know about the upcoming Pokémon MOBA Pokémon Unite.

Further reading

What is Pokémon Unite?

Gameplay from Pokémon Unite.

Pokémon Unite is the very first MOBA-style Pokémon title, developed by The Pokémon Company International and TiMi Studio Group.

The game will center around 5 vs 5 Unite Battle tournaments on Aeos Island, a mythical island said to be on the ocean’s unexplored frontier. Teams of Pokémon will face off and battle, competing to see which team can gather the most Aeos energy, scoring points and claiming victory for their squad.

Like any Pokémon title, players will get to pick and choose their favorite Pokémon and battle it out. It’ll just be a different style than we’re used to.

When will Pokémon Unite release? And on what platforms?

A virtual trainer with her pokémon.

Pokémon Unite will release in July 2021 on Nintendo Switch systems and in September 2021 on mobile devices. We haven’t been given an exact date for either release. Now that we’re into July, it’s safe to say we won’t get much of a warning before the game drops for Switch.

Pokémon Unite trailer

Nintendo released a trailer for Pokémon Unite in mid-June to give us a taste of what that game has in store. While the trailer didn’t include any gameplay footage, instead opting for a more cinematic style, we were able to get a good feel for how intense gameplay will be and a look at some of the Pokémon fights we can expect to see.

Pokémon UNITE is coming this summer!

Gameplay

Gameplay from the Japanese Pokémon Unite beta test.
Gameplay from the Japanese Pokémon UNITE beta test.

Gameplay in Pokémon Unite appears to look similar to the most popular MOBAs out there. Teams of five Pokémon, each with different strengths, attacks, and passive abilities, will take the field and compete to see which party can gather the most Aeos energy. Points are earned through catching wild Pokémon, which appear across the map and need defeating to capture. Players deposit that Aeos energy earned from catching wild Pokémon or defeating opponents into one of their opponents’ goal zones to score points for their team. If catching Pokémon was the only task, this would be a breeze — we’ve all been to the Safari Zone and hucked as many Pokéballs as we can — but opposing teams can get in the way, sniping wild Pokémon, defending scoring zones, and ultimately just causing chaos.

The playable Pokémon are divided up into a few classes: Attacker, Defender, Speedster, Supporter, and All-Rounder. Players will need to experiment to find out which role best suits them (although many will have a hunch based on prior MOBA experiences). Team composition will always be key, although it doesn’t look like there are any team restrictions like there are in Overwatch. Each Pokémon will start off a match at level 1, gaining experience throughout the game, evolving, learning new moves, and becoming a lot more powerful. It doesn’t look like Type effectiveness will play a role in the game. Each Pokémon also has a Unite Move, essentially its ultimate ability, which can really change the flow of a game.

At launch, the game will feature several maps, each differently sized with special environmental elements.

The game will be free to start, with optional in-game purchases available, including the paid Aeos gems currency. Players can unlock cosmetics for their Pokémon through purchase or seasonal battle passes.

Is Pokémon Unite multiplayer?

A team of five pokémon gear up for battle.

Multiplayer is the name of the game! It doesn’t look like there will be a single-player game mode for Pokémon Unite, aside from a potential tutorial level to kick things off. Cross-platform play between Nintendo Switch and mobile devices is planned, although there hasn’t been confirmation that the feature will be ready to roll when the game launches on mobile in September.

What Pokémon are in Pokémon Unite?

Mr. Mime and Snorlax hang out on the battlefield in Pokémon Unite.

Below is a list of all the confirmed playable Pokémon evolutionary lines in Pokémon Unite at launch:

  • Pikachu
  • Charizard
  • Snorlax
  • Crustle
  • Greninja
  • Eldegoss
  • Talonflame
  • Lucario
  • Venusaur
  • Mr. Mime
  • Slowbro
  • Absol
  • Machamp
  • Wigglytuff
  • Alolan Ninetales
  • Cramorant
  • Gengar
  • Garchomp
  • Cinderace

More Pokémon will be added to the game post-launch. With nearly 900 Pokémon out there, it’d be a bummer to only get to play with 19. Nintendo has already confirmed that Blastoise, Gardevoir,  and at least one other unnamed Pokémon will be added to the game post-launch.

Wild Pokémon that have been spotted in Pokémon Unite footage (and leaked footage) so far include:

  • Aipom
  • Rotom
  • Stufful
  • Bewear
  • Joltik
  • Galvantula
  • Altaria
  • Toxicroak
  • Bouffalant
  • Vespiquen (plus Combee)
  • Crawdaunt
  • Ludicolo
  • Audino
  • Drednaw
  • Lillipup
  • Zapdos

Editors' Recommendations

The best Xbox Series X games for 2023
Two Spartans side by side in Halo Infinite.

After an uneven console cycle with the Xbox One, Microsoft's latest consoles are aimed at getting the ship back on course. The Xbox Series X is a next-generation powerhouse that rivals gaming PCs, while the Xbox Series S is an affordable stopgap for those who are curious about trying new games.

There's no shortage of games to play on either console thanks to Xbox Game Pass, which gives players immediate access to a library of titles old and new. That built-in catalog is an extra value on top of all the new games available on the system that take advantage of its impressive technical specs. When it comes to first-party exclusives, the Series X is still growing. Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 gave a good boost to the console's library following a somewhat sparse first year. More games are also on the way. Microsoft's Bethesda acquisition will bring exclusives like Starfield and Redfall, and the potential addition of all Activision Blizzard games would further bolster that list, but the console's real strength lies in third-party support.

Read more
The best Nintendo Switch games for 2023
Samus stares down Thardus in Metroid Prime Remastered.

The Nintendo Switch has had a lot of success in the nearly six years since its release. The console-handheld hybrid has been on the market since 2017, and a slew of fantastic games from first- and third-party developers launched over the course of the system's life cycle. Recently, heavy hitters such as Metroid Dread, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land have boosted the system's appeal, while a healthy list of upcoming games continues to drum up excitement.

There are plenty of incredible games to enjoy on the Switch right now. But which ones should you check out? These are the best Nintendo Switch games (including free-to-play titles) for 2023.
Action

Read more
The best PS5 games for 2023
Leon parries a chainsaw villager in Resident Evil 4.

The PlayStation 4's success was largely due to its stellar game library, which featured some of the best titles of the past generation. Now, the PlayStation 5 is looking to repeat that success, though it's going to have to overcome some initial bumps in the road to reach that point.

Sony suffered some road bumps bringing major titles to market over the course of 2022 but new hit games are finally punching through. God of War Ragnarok, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, and Overwatch 2 are the most recent top titles to hit PS5, but there are plenty of other killer games for every kind of gamer out on the platform. As always, there's a running list of great upcoming PS5 games. Currently, there's no shortage of incredible experiences to be had right now on PS5.

Read more