I was so hyped for Pokemon Champions to drop, but honestly, I’m a little disappointed. It just came out a few hours ago, and people are already pointing out that the Pokedex is really limited, and there are some performance problems. Plus, they cut some stuff from VGC, which is a bummer. Even though battling isn’t always the main focus of Pokemon games, there was so much excitement building up – some tournaments had hundreds of people signed up before the game even released! A lot of us were hoping this would be the ultimate competitive Pokemon hub, since it’s a game all about battling, but it doesn’t quite feel that way right now.
When the release date for Pokemon Champions was announced – April 7th or 8th – it seemed like a funny coincidence, especially with the final season of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet scheduled for April 1st. However, after just a few hours of being released, Pokemon Champions is receiving criticism. One major issue is the limited number of Pokemon available: only 187 out of a total of 1,026. This seems like an odd decision for a major game release, and it’s made even more frustrating by the removal of many familiar items.
Pokemon Champions Has Only 187 Pokemon, Runs at 30 FPS, Cuts Staple VGC Items
Okay, so I’ve been playing Pokemon Champions and checking everything out, and it’s kinda disappointing. A lot of the Pokemon they showed in the trailers aren’t actually in the game. Like, Ursaluna, who everyone loves and is super strong in battles, got cut – and a few others like Dondozo and Tatsugiri too. Right now, only Mega Evolution is working as a battle gimmick, though they’ve said Z-Moves, Dynamax, and Terastallization might be added later. But even then, they haven’t brought over many of the new Mega Evolutions from Pokemon Legends: Z-A. Here’s what the Pokedex looks like so far:
- Gen 1 Pokemon:
- Venusaur (+ Mega)
- Charizard (+ Mega X and Y)
- Blastoise (+ Mega)
- Beedrill (+ Mega)
- Pidgeot (+ Mega)
- Arbok
- Pikachu
- Raichu (+ Alolan form, no Mega X and Y)
- Clefable (+ Mega)
- Ninetales (+ Alolan form)
- Arcanine (+ Hisuian form)
- Alakazam (+ Mega)
- Machamp
- Victreebel (+ Mega)
- Slowbro (+ Mega)
- Gengar (+ Mega)
- Kangaskhan (+ Mega)
- Starmie (+ Mega)
- Pinsir (+ Mega)
- Tauros (+ Paldean Tauros, Aqua Breed, and Blaze Breed)
- Gyarados (+ Mega)
- Ditto
- Vaporeon
- Jolteon
- Flareon
- Aerodactyl (+ Mega)
- Snorlax
- Dragonite
- Gen 2 Pokemon:
- Meganium (+ Mega)
- Typhlosion (+ Hisuian form)
- Feraligatr (+ Mega)
- Ariados
- Ampharos (+ Mega)
- Azumarill
- Politoed
- Espeon
- Umbreon
- Slowking
- Forretress
- Steelix (+ Mega)
- Scizor (+ Mega)
- Heracross (+ Mega)
- Skarmory (+ Mega)
- Houndoom (+ Mega)
- Tyranitar (+ Mega)
- Gen 3 Pokemon:
- Pelipper
- Gardevoir (+ Mega)
- Sableye (+ Mega)
- Aggron (+ Mega)
- Medicham (+ Mega)
- Manectric (+ Mega)
- Sharpedo (+ Mega)
- Camerupt (+ Mega)
- Torkoal
- Altaria (+ Mega)
- Milotic
- Castform (+ variants)
- Banette (+ Mega)
- Chimecho (+ Mega)
- Absol (+ Mega, but no Mega Z)
- Glalie (+ Mega)
- Gen 4 Pokemon:
- Torterra
- Infernape
- Empoleon
- Luxray
- Roserade
- Rampardos
- Bastiodon
- Lopunny
- Spiritomb
- Garchomp (+ Mega, but no Mega Z)
- Lucario (+ Mega, but no Mega Z)
- Hippowdon
- Toxicroak
- Abomasnow (+ Mega)
- Weavile
- Rhyperior
- Leafeon
- Glaceon
- Gliscor
- Mamoswine
- Gallade (+ Mega)
- Froslass (+ Mega)
- Rotom (+ variants)
- Gen 5 Pokemon:
- Serperior
- Emboar (+ Mega)
- Samurott (+ Hisuian form)
- Watchog
- Liepard
- Simisage
- Simisear
- Simipour
- Excadrill (+ Mega)
- Audino (+ Mega)
- Conkeldurr
- Whimsicott
- Krookodile
- Cofagrigus
- Garbodor
- Zoroark (+ Hisuian form)
- Reuniclus
- Vanilluxe
- Emolga
- Chandelure (+ Mega)
- Beartic
- Stunfisk (+ Galarian form)
- Golurk (+ Mega)
- Hydreigon
- Volcarona
- Gen 6 Pokemon:
- Chesnaught (+ Mega)
- Delphox (+ Mega)
- Greninja (+ Mega)
- Diggersby
- Talonflame
- Vivillon (+ variants)
- Floette (AZ Floette and Eternal Flower + Mega)
- Florges
- Pangoro
- Furfrou
- Meowstic (+ Mega)
- Aegislash
- Aromatisse
- Slurpuff
- Clawitzer
- Heliolisk
- Tyrantrum
- Aurorus
- Sylveon
- Hawlucha (+ Mega)
- Dedenne
- Goodra (+ Galarian form)
- Klefki
- Trevenant
- Gourgeist
- Avalugg (+ Hisuian form)
- Noivern
- Gen 7 Pokemon:
- Decidueye
- Incineroar
- Primarina
- Toucannon
- Crabominable (+ Mega)
- Lycanrok (+ variants)
- Toxapex
- Mudsdale
- Araquanid
- Salazzle
- Tsareena
- Oranguru
- Passimian
- Mimikyu
- Drampa (+ Mega)
- Kommo-o
- Gen 8 Pokemon:
- Corviknight
- Flapple
- Appletun
- Sandaconda
- Sinistea
- Hatterene
- Mr. Rime
- Runerigus
- Alcremie (+ variants)
- Morpeko
- Dragapult
- Wyrdeer
- Kleavor
- Basculegion (male and female)
- Sneasler
- Gen 9 Pokemon:
- Meowscarada
- Skeledirge
- Quaquaval
- Pawmot
- Maushold (+ variant)
- Garganacl
- Armarouge
- Ceruledge
- Bellibolt
- Scovillain (+ Mega)
- Espathra
- Tinkaton
- Palafin
- Orthworm
- Glimmora (+ Mega)
- Farigiraf
- Kingambit
- Sinistcha
- Archaludon
- Hydrapple
Besides the fact that the game only includes 187 Pokémon, Pokémon Champions is also struggling with performance issues. While a free upgrade to a Nintendo Switch 2 version is planned, it still only runs at around 30 frames per second. On top of that, the game is full of bugs. From professional player Wolfe Glick being unable to play properly to a widely shared video of a glitch affecting a Dragapult, the game’s launch has been far from perfect.
6v6 singles Pokemon battles are also not available in the game, not even as custom/private modes.
Many Pokemon Champions players are expressing strong disappointment, with some even calling it the worst Pokemon game ever. A common complaint is the quality of the move animations, but a more significant issue is that many moves have been altered. For example, the move Fake Out was a key strategy in competitive battles, particularly in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, where players often used it multiple times with Pokemon like Incineroar and Rillaboom. Now, however, Fake Out can only be used once per battle, which has upset many players.
TopMob Quiz
—
Results
—
One of the most noticeable changes is the removal of many commonly used competitive Pokémon items. This decision is strange, and Joe Merrick, founder of Serebii, believes it could negatively impact the VGC format. Items like Assault Vest, Life Orb, Rocky Helmet, Choice Band, Choice Scarf, and Choice Specs are all missing, and it’s unknown if they’ll be added back in. It’s unusual that these items, which are typically found on almost every competitive team, aren’t included in the game at all. Eviolite is also absent, which makes sense since the game doesn’t feature any basic-stage Pokémon except Pikachu. However, fans are still unhappy with these omissions. It’s unclear what changes or additions will be made, but so far, many players are disappointed with the game.
Read More
- All Skyblazer Armor Locations in Crimson Desert
- How to Get the Sunset Reed Armor Set and Hollow Visage Sword in Crimson Desert
- All Shadow Armor Locations in Crimson Desert
- Marni Laser Helm Location & Upgrade in Crimson Desert
- All Helfryn Armor Locations in Crimson Desert
- All Golden Greed Armor Locations in Crimson Desert
- Best Bows in Crimson Desert
- All Icewing Armor Locations in Crimson Desert
- One Piece Chapter 1180 Release Date And Where To Read
- How to Beat Stonewalker Antiquum at the Gate of Truth in Crimson Desert
2026-04-08 15:12