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GamesRadar
GamesRadar
Technology
Issy van der Velde

Pokemon Stadium-like battling game Pokemon Champions is "free-to start," but a "paid digital version" is coming to Switch 2 and OG Switch too

Pokemon
Key art for Pokemon Champions.

Finally, a new medium for competitive Pokemon battling is arriving. In 2026, we'll be able to get our hands on Pokemon Champions, the new home of VGC. Interestingly, it'll be "free-to-start" and then a paid version will come out later.

Now, I know what a free-to-play game is, but I've never heard of free-to-start before. The initial announcement for Pokemon Champions mentioned an in-game currency, but also stated it wouldn't be purchasable with real money, so I don't think this is going to turn into a microtransaction-riddled game. Still, free-to-start has puzzled me.

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