Pokémon UNITE now has a release date on Nintendo Switch, and it will be arriving on the system on July 21. This means fans only have to wait one more week to play Pokémon UNITE, which previously had a more vague July release window.
Pokémon UNITE is an upcoming free-to-play MOBA, where teams of Pokémon battle each other. Each game consists of teams of five low-level Pokémon, who must score goals in order to win. Players can evolve their Pokémon over time in order to gain stronger abilities. Teams earns points by defeating or capturing wild Pokémon, as well as for KOs against opponents' Pokémon. These points then need to be banked in goals. A major aspect of the game is unlocking new outfits for the playable Pokémon, including pirate-themed outfits for the Scorbunny line and a pineapple costume for Snorlax.
Pokémon UNITE has had a loose July release slate in the past, but The Pokémon Company has now revealed the game's full release date on one platform. Pokémon UNITE is set to be released for Nintendo Switch on July 21, 2021. The game is set to launch for Android and iOS devices in September, though these versions still lack a solid release date. A new trailer for the game can be seen on the Pokémon UNITE YouTube channel.
Pokémon UNITE will also give a bonus to people who play the game during its launch period. The trailer reveals that those who play Pokémon UNITE before August 31 will unlock Zeraora for free. Zeraora is an Electric-type Mythical Pokémon from the Alola region, which became notable in the Pokémon Sword & Shield era for an event where players had to defeat a million Zeraora in order to receive a Shiny Zeraora for free.
The reaction to Pokémon UNITE was initially negative, as The Pokémon Company hyped it up as part of a then-upcoming Pokémon Presents showcase without giving any hints as to its content. This led many fans to believe it was the rumored remakes of Pokémon Diamond & Pearl or Let's Go versions of Pokémon Gold & Silver. The reveal that Pokémon UNITE was a MOBA caused a severe backlash from fans, with the Pokémon UNITE reveal being reuploaded in an attempt to hide its unpopularity. As time went on, attitudes towards the game has cooled, and many that played the Pokémon UNITE beta have shared positive feedback about the game. Fans will soon have a chance to check out the game for themselves and see if it was worth all of the fuss, and they won't have to wait long.
Pokémon UNITE will be available for Nintendo Switch on July 21, 2021, and it will launch on Android and iOS in September.
Source: The Pokémon Company, Pokémon UNITE/YouTube