Pokémon Champions is set for release on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. This is a new title where anyone can casually enjoy Pokémon battles.
On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the latest introductory video was released, revealing an overview of the game system. Today, we bring you a report from the Pokémon Champions Pre-Release Preview Event held ahead of the launch!
Guests included Riki Choshu and the Muto sisters!
Choshu and Muto Enter the Ring at Korakuen Hall!?
Saiga NAK
The Pokémon Champions Pre-Release Preview Event was held for the media.
The venue was none other than the mecca of combat sports, Korakuen Hall.
The MC was the familiar freelance announcer and esports caster, Ko Shinohara (@ko_shinohara).
Entering the ring to the call of the ring announcer was...
Former professional wrestler Riki Choshu (@rikichannel1203)!
Against him was Muto...!?
It's the Muto sisters, Orin Muto (@muto_orin) and Tomu Muto (@tommuto1125)!
Both sides also performed Keiji Muto's signature pose.
Choshu said this was his first time entering the ring at Korakuen Hall since his retirement.
When asked if he thought it was cute to enter with Pikachu, he invited laughter with his characteristically blunt phrasing, saying, "No, I don't think so..."
However, his beloved grandson, who frequently appears on his YouTube channel Riki Choshu [Official] RIKI CHANNEL, is obsessed with Pokémon and apparently teaches him all about it.
And then there were the Muto sisters, Pokémon-loving Orin Muto and Tomu Muto, rather than their senior, Keiji Muto.
While intimidated by Choshu's pressure, they couldn't afford to lose when it came to a Pokémon battle.
Orin Muto: "I'm going to demolish you!"
Choshu: "Don't point your finger at me! (Note: She wasn't pointing)"
(Translated from Japanese)
Orin Muto: "I'm not pointing! I'm not!"
Choshu: "I feel sorry for you, but I won't hold back, okay?"
(Translated from Japanese)
Riki Choshu vs. Orin Muto Pokémon Battle!
Pokémon Champions is a new title scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch and smartphones.
Unlike the traditional Pokémon series, it is characterized by gameplay specialized in Pokémon battles.
Saiga NAKChoshu's Incineroar landed a Lariat (Darkest Lariat) on Garchomp!
There is something deeply moving about seeing a Lariat unleashed at Korakuen Hall.
Saiga NAKChoshu then sent out Machamp.
It is a rare sight to see a Pokémon Trainer with a physique of 184cm / 120kg giving orders to a 1.6m / 130.0kg Machamp.
However, even at Korakuen Hall, the gap in Pokémon experience could not be overcome.
Orin Muto claimed victory in the Pokémon battle!
Choshu: "When you do a Pokémon battle, you really get emotional about it."
Orin Muto: "The Mega Evolution effects were gorgeous, and I enjoyed a high-impact Pokémon battle! I hope many people give it a try!"
Tomu Muto: "The scale of the Pokémon battle was so large that it was incredibly fun just watching. I want to play it soon myself, and I'd love to see Pokémon battles between top-tier players!"
(Translated from Japanese)
Pokémon Champions is scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Furthermore, it is scheduled for release on iOS / Android in Summer 2026, and a free update for Nintendo Switch 2 is also reportedly planned.
Media Preview Event Also Held!
While the exhibition match between Choshu and Muto was exciting enough to leave us satisfied, the purpose of this event was the Pokémon Champions Pre-Release Preview Event.
With that intention, the Saiga NAK editorial team also got to play ahead of the release.
As mentioned repeatedly, Pokémon Champions is a title specialized in Pokémon battles.
Players make Pokémon their allies through Scouts, organize them into teams, and take on Pokémon battles against other players.
In Scout, 10 Pokémon are introduced after an animation similar to a gacha.
We confirmed several different animations during this preview, and it appears that Shiny Pokémon can also appear.
By selecting one Pokémon out of the ten to Scout, you can add it to your team.
There are two types of Scouts: Trial Scout and Regular Scout. The differences identified so far are as follows:
- Trial Scout: 0VP. Can be added to the team for one week only. Training is not possible in this state.
- Regular Scout: Requires 2,500VP. Can be added to the team indefinitely and can be trained.
Additionally, even if you select a Trial Scout once, it seems possible to perform a Regular Scout again later.
In Training, you can spend VP to freely change the Pokémon's stat points, stat modifiers, moves, and abilities.
Build your ideal team while repeatedly engaging in Pokémon battles with many other players!
Furthermore, it has been revealed that the innate strength of Pokémon is uniform in this game.
Participating in the Media Exhibition Match!
During the event, we were able to play elements such as Pokémon battles, scouting, and training, but we were even allowed to have a Pokémon battle inside the ring at Korakuen Hall!
A precious, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...!
So this is the view from inside the ring...!
Saiga NAKDespite being a closed event, it was incredibly luxurious, complete with a ring announcer and live commentary—it's almost a waste that no video was recorded.
Hearing the call for Saiga NAK! made our fighting spirit as Pokémon Trainers surge.
We organized a team of six from a pre-prepared pool of Pokémon, and after both sides viewed each other's teams, we selected three.
For us, it had to be the Ditto that has been so active in Poko a Pokémon!
Among the hardcore Pokémon prepared, we couldn't help but choose the Ditto that was just sitting there staring at us.
Our opponent was GameWith, the game review and strategy site.
They sent out a Palafin.
...Well, we were so absorbed in the Pokémon battle that we neglected the photography, but we succeeded in making some "pro-looking moves," such as matching Ditto against GameWith's Chesnaught that had stacked Iron Defense!
We managed to win, showing our pride as an esports media outlet.
Pokémon Champions is Scheduled for Release on Wednesday, April 8, 2026!
Pokémon Champions is scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Since the iOS / Android versions, which support cross-play, are also scheduled for release in Summer 2026, let's first scout and train Pokémon on Nintendo Switch to build your very own team!
For details and further news, please check the Pokémon Champions official website and the official X (@Poke_Champ_jp).
| Title Overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pokémon Champions |
| Compatible Models | Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android (Can be played on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.) |
| Sales Format | Download only |
| Release Period | Nintendo Switch version: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Smartphone version (iOS / Android): Summer 2026 |
| Price | Free-to-play (Some in-game purchases available) |
| CERO | A |
| Genre | Pokémon Battle |
| Supported Languages | Japanese, English, European Spanish, Latin American Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional) |
| Planning and Production | Game Freak Inc., The Pokémon Company |
| Development | The Pokémon Works |
| Publisher | The Pokémon Company |
| Distributor | Nintendo Switch version: Nintendo Co., Ltd. Smartphone version (iOS / Android): The Pokémon Company |
