Pokémon Unite is the free-to-play team battle game of the Pokémon series. Since July 21, 2021, two teams of five Pokémon each have been facing off on Nintendo Switch, and later on iOS and Android too.
Here's what makes the MOBA tick, how its monetization works and why you should hurry: Pokémon Unite shuts down on March 23, 2027.
In this article
Pokémon Unite at a glance
Pokémon Unite was developed by TiMi Studio Group and published by The Pokémon Company. The game supports crossplay between Switch and smartphones, so you can use your progress on both devices.
Gameplay: Five on five
In a round, you collect Aeos energy by defeating wild Pokémon and bring it to the opponent's goals. Along the way, your Pokémon evolve and learn new moves. In the end, the team with the most points wins. The last two minutes are especially exciting, since points count double and the fight over Zapdos often decides the match.
Free-to-play and monetization
The game is free. You can spend money on gems, Holowear and the Battle Pass. You didn't necessarily have to buy Pokémon, since many licenses could also be unlocked for free through missions and events. Since October 27, 2026, gems can no longer be purchased.
The end on March 23, 2027
Starting November 12, 2026, a farewell event runs with license exchanges, missions and a login bonus. There's also the Library, where your battle data and licenses are preserved even after the end, as long as you download them beforehand. Unspent purchased gems will be refunded after the shutdown.
Verdict
Pokémon Unite was an accessible MOBA that opened up the genre to casual players and kids as well. Short rounds, familiar Pokémon and a fair free-to-play model won a lot of people over. It's a shame it's ending soon.
Trailer
Here's the official trailer for the Switch launch.
