Pokémon UNITE Is Officially Pulling the Plug on One of Its Biggest Games
A Different Kind Of Pokémon Battle
Pokémon UNITE offered a team-based alternative to the franchise’s other competitive formats. Players competed in five-on-five battles, working with teammates rather than relying only on individual matchups. The game launched on Nintendo Switch in July 2021 as a free-to-start title. It arrived on mobile devices that September, widening the ways players could take part.
Roster Expanded Over Time
As the game developed, its roster gained additional fighters, including Decidueye and the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa. Those additions gave players more choices for assembling a team. Pokémon UNITE became part of a broader competitive landscape that also includes the Trading Card Game and Pokémon titles for consoles and mobile devices. Its focus on cooperating with teammates set it apart.
Shutdown Date And Platforms
The Pokémon Company announced that service will end March 23, 2027, at 00:00 UTC. For players in the United States, that corresponds to 8 p.m. ET on March 22.
The end of service applies to both the Nintendo Switch and mobile versions. The company’s announcement confirmed the shutdown date and expressed regret over the decision.
Key points
- Pokémon UNITE service ends March 23, 2027, at 00:00 UTC.
- U.S. players will see the shutdown at 8 p.m. ET on March 22.
- The closure covers Nintendo Switch and mobile versions.
- The game launched on Switch in July 2021 and expanded to mobile that September.