Pokémon Champions Becomes Official Game for Tournaments

The Pokémon Company has announced that Pokémon Champions will be the official game of the Pokémon World Championships, and will debut at the first official in-person VGC tournament starting in April. The game will arrive on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite on April 8, accompanied by a transition period in April and May for tournaments to adopt the new platform. A Starter Pack bundle will also be available on launch day, offering extra Pokémon storage, exclusive battle tracks, and additional trainer customization options. The Pokémon Company also announced plans to release Pokémon Champions on mobile devices later this year. In addition, Mega Evolutions are returning, with new abilities for specific Pokémon. Mega Meganium will gain the Mega Sol ability, Mega Emboar will recover its Mold Breaker ability, and Mega Feraligatr will be able to use Dragonize, converting Normal-type moves into powerful Dragon-type attacks. Pokémon Champions will be used at major upcoming events, including the Indianapolis Pokémon Regional Championships (May 29–31), the Turin event (first weekend in June), and the North America International Championships (June 12–14). The World Championships in August will also utilize the new game.

Pokémon Champions Tournaments Offer Qualification Points for World Championships 2026 (Nintendo eShop Cards Available)

Nintendo eShop cards, which can be redeemed for games and content on the Nintendo eShop, are available in the following currencies and denominations: USD: $10 to $50 Swedish Krona (SEK): 150 kr to 1000 kr Norwegian Krone (NOK): 750 kr to 1000 kr Polish Zloty (PLN): 70 zł to 500 zł Euro (EUR): €15 to €100 These cards are sold in countries including the United States, Poland, Sweden, Norway, and Portugal. Regional tournaments throughout April and May will feature Pokémon Champions, allowing players to earn points toward qualifying for the Pokémon World Championships 2026.

In Case You Missed It

Midway through our gaming retrospective, we couldn't help but glance ahead at an upcoming release that's got us excited. Mark your calendars for April 30th, as "Mullet Madjack" is blasting its way onto the Nintendo Switch! This critically acclaimed FPS promises the same heart-pounding action that made it a Steam sensation, now within reach of the Nintendo community with roguelike progression, power-ups galore, and even boss rush and survival modes. Dive into its nostalgic anime-inspired visuals and soundtrack – you won't want to miss this one! Check it out here Mullet MadJack Will Be Launched for Nintendo Switch on April 30th. But the gaming landscape isn't all sunshine, as veteran game creator John Romero and his wife Branda recently opened up about their concerns over its current state. In their interview with Ahmed Hassan, published on the same day, they believe we're facing a crisis worse than the 1980s crash due to factors like increasing use of generative AI and layoffs from successful studios. Despite these challenges, however, John and Branda remain undeterred, focusing on smaller teams for sustainable projects. If you're curious about their take on navigating this gaming recession, check out "Gaming Crash Worse Than 1980s, Says Veteran Game Creator" here Gaming Crash Worse Than 1980s, Says Veteran Game Creator. Meanwhile, Marcus Thompson explores the future of gaming in his latest piece "PS6 Expected to Cost More Than New PS5 Price, Suggests Known Leaker", published on March 29th. Diving into the rumors surrounding Sony's next big console, Thompson suggests that the PS6 might debut at a higher price point than its predecessor. Dive into the conversation and share your thoughts on whether you'd splurge for the latest tech by checking out this insightful article here PS6 Expected to Cost More Than New PS5 Price, Suggests Known Leaker.

Watch the video