Put down your Joy-Cons for a second, trainers - Pokémon Champions is about to invade your phone. The Pokémon Company has confirmed that the battle-focused title will launch on iOS and Android on June 17th, with pre-registrations now open, according to Nintendo Life.
The game has already been out on Switch for a couple of months, so mobile players are essentially respawning into a meta that's had time to cook. The good news is you won't be starting from zero - cross-save support is confirmed, meaning your carefully assembled roster travels with you from Switch to smartphone like a loyal Pokémon following you on the overworld.
To celebrate the mobile launch, The Pokémon Company is running a special distribution featuring Raichu. Whether that's enough to make you forgive the fact that Pikachu keeps getting all the spotlight is between you and your inner child.
Why this actually matters
Bringing a competitive battle game to mobile is a big deal for player base expansion. More players means a healthier matchmaking pool, which means less sitting in a lobby watching a loading spinner do its little spin. Everyone wins - except whoever you're about to sweep in ranked.
The cross-save feature is particularly clutch. Nothing kills momentum like being told your hours of progress are platform-locked, so The Pokémon Company clearly learned from the school of "please don't rage-quit our ecosystem."
What to do right now
- Pre-register on iOS or Android to lock in any launch rewards
- Don't sleep on that Raichu distribution - limited-time 'mons have a way of becoming trade bait later
- If you've been grinding on Switch, your save is ready to sync - no need to restart your Pokédex career
June 17th is the date to circle, highlight, and probably tattoo on your forearm if you're that kind of dedicated. The mobile meta is about to get a serious new challenger.
