"Game Freak Unveils Leaked Pokémon Multiplayer Game"

After months of anticipation fueled by rumors and leaks, we've been treated to our first glimpse of Pokémon Champions, an exciting new multiplayer battle-centric Pokémon game. This title is the result of a collaboration between Game Freak and The Pokémon Works, a joint venture formed by The Pokémon Company and ILCA, the developers behind Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl.

Pokémon Champions dives deep into the heart of what makes Pokémon games so beloved: the battles. It promises "core-style battles" and offers players the chance to engage in online battles with others. The trailer showcased both Mega Evolution and Terastalization, hinting at a comprehensive approach that spans various types and eras of Pokémon battles.

Currently in development for both Nintendo Switch and mobile platforms, Pokémon Champions has not yet received a release date. At launch, the game will support Latin American Spanish alongside other languages traditionally available in Pokémon titles.

Key art for Pokemon Champions

It appears that Pokémon Champions is the same game that was previously leaked under the name Pokémon Synapse during the infamous "Freak Leak" last year. That leak unveiled a treasure trove of internal Game Freak information, including unreleased games, meeting notes, and Pokémon designs. At the time, Pokémon Synapse was described as a multiplayer game in development by Game Freak and ILCA, though details were sparse and speculative. While some drew comparisons to Splatoon, it's clear now that those analogies were not entirely accurate.

For a comprehensive look at all the reveals from today's Pokémon Presents, be sure to check out our detailed coverage.