A trailer was released today for Pokémon UNITE, a cross-platform team battle game currently being developed for the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices. Along with a new glimpse of gameplay, the trailer provided official release dates for the game, along with the news that the two platforms won't be getting it at the same time.
First announced back in 2020, Pokémon UNITE has players face off against one another in 5-on-5 team battles. Effectively, it will function as a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game. Players are able to take on a variety of challenges including catching wild Pokémon, leveling up and evolving their own teams, and defeating their opponents Pokémon. Each team aims to collect more points than the other within the allotted time. While Beta footage of the game has been released fairly regularly since its initial reveal, along with news regarding features such as purchasable character costumes, this is the first major progress update on the title.
The reveal of Pokémon UNITE was met with heavy backlash initially, primarily because it was announced at a time when fans were hoping for more traditional Pokémon news such as the since-confirmed Sinnoh remakes. Many also raised concerns about microtransactions within the game, particularly given the monetization-filled history of one of its development partners. The game describes itself as free-to-start and, as of its Beta release, does feature a Battle Pass. Despite this, quite a few are excited to get their hands on a copy of Pokémon UNITE. Here's when the game will be available to download on both platforms.
Pokemon UNITE's Release Date Is Split Between Platforms
Although cross-platform play will be allowed between both consoles - as cross-platform features become increasingly common in the gaming world - the Switch and mobile versions of the game are coming out in different months entirely. The Nintendo Switch edition comes out first in July 2021, meaning players on the Switch have just about a month left to wait to try out Pokémon UNITE. Mobile devices, on the other hand, won't be seeing a release until September 2021. No official day has been provided for either release just yet. The gap between these split release dates may be because of technical differences between the two versions of the game.
Pokémon UNITE is one of several new Pokémon titles releasing in the coming months. The long-awaited Sinnoh remakes, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, will be coming out just a couple months after Pokémon UNITE's mobile release - November 19, 2021. Another Sinnoh-based game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus is then scheduled for early 2022. With so much new content coming down the pipeline, it seems that Pokémon fans have plenty of exciting content to look forward to in the near future.