Popular leaker CentroLeaks slammed the release in a post on X, lamenting the poor Switch 2 performance (keep in mind that this is a Switch 1 game), a lack of popular Pokémon in a limited roster, not being able to automatically add friends over from your Switch list, and so on. “Tons” of competitive items are also missing and there’s no support for local wireless play. Others have since chimed in, with a 30fps lock on performance, along with tedious menus, standing out the most among all the other issues.

While there is hope from a section of the player base who expect additional Pokémon to make their way to the game, and potential fixes coming along, it’s still disheartening to see what could have been a serious contender for competitive Pokémon play get such a lukewarm response. Pokémon Pokopia, by comparison, has received a very encouraging response, one that now seems a little out of Pokémon Champions‘ reach.

https://x.com/CentroLeaks/status/2041751437047161194

This one’s free to play for those of you who haven’t kept up with it, and you can dive in on your Switch, Android, or iOS. It takes you to the Frontier, where you’re going to have to capture Pokémon and train them to take on opponents in battles that put a fresh but familiar spin on the formula to enable varied strategies for both newcomers and veterans alike.

If you’re on Pokémon Home, you’ll be pleased to know that you can bring over your Pokémon. While the trailer is somewhat light on the details, the battle-focused multiplayer title includes familiar abilities and mechanics, including Mega Evolutions. In fact, some, like Mega Meganium, Mega Emboar, and Mega Feraligatr from Pokémon Legends: Z-A even get “never-before-seen abilities.”

You can learn more here, but if you’ve ever wanted to prove your mettle as a trainer, Pokémon Champions is a sure-fire way to do that. It’s free to play and can be downloaded from the Nintendo eShop. For those seeking a more traditional Pokémon experience, Pokémon Winds and Waves is launching in 2027 for Nintendo Switch 2. Head here for more details.