Nearly a year ago, The Pokémon Company first announced Pokémon UNITE, a collaboration with Tencent and TiMi Studios. However, there had been very few updates about the game since. Now, there is finally a ballpark date for when this multiplayer online battle arena game will be playable.
Pokémon UNITE will have a July release date on Nintendo Switch, while it will launch on mobile devices in September of 2021.
Prepare to UNITE, Trainers—#PokemonUNITE arrives on Nintendo Switch in July and on mobile devices in September! https://t.co/Yh62ZAD60B
— Pokémon UNITE (@PokemonUnite) June 17, 2021
Following the release of the mobile version in Sept., Pokémon UNITE will support cross-platform play. In addition, the game will feature cross-progression for players who sign in using their Nintendo or Pokémon Trainer Club accounts. This will give players the option to switch freely between both versions of the game if they so choose.
The Pokémon UNITE Twitter account confirmed that new playable Pokémon will be added to the game following its launch. So far, only two additional characters have been officially announced: Blastoise and Gardevoir. According to the Pokémon UNITE Twitter account, “These Pokémon and more are coming soon!”
Blastoise, Gardevoir, and other Pokémon also can’t wait to join you on Aeos Island!
They won’t be battle-ready at launch, so stay tuned for more details on when they’ll arrive following the release of #PokemonUNITE on Nintendo Switch! pic.twitter.com/05szCFP3pK
— Pokémon UNITE (@PokemonUnite) June 17, 2021
What to know about Pokémon UNITE before its release
The Pokémon UNITE release date announcement came alongside a cinematic trailer and some new gameplay footage. The trailer shows certain Pokémon beginning the battle in their unevolved forms. These Pokémon can then gain experience and evolve over the course of the battle by catching wild Pokémon.
Notably, certain Pokémon appear to begin battles fully evolved despite possessing unevolved forms. These include Snorlax, Lucario and Mr. Mime. Conversely, it does not appear that Pikachu can evolve into Raichu in Pokémon UNITE.
Pokémon UNITE is one of the multiple games The Pokémon Company is releasing this year in honor of the series’ 25th anniversary. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl will both launch in November of 2021. In addition, Pokémon Legends: Arceus will release in January of 2022.
