Competitive Pokémon is on phones now, but you still need a Switch to become a champion

<figure> <img alt="Eternal Flower Floette Mega Evolved in Pokémon Champions" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: The Pokémon Company, Nintendo" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/IMG_4405_91ad42.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">To get started with competitive <em>Pok&eacute;mon </em>battles, all you need is your phone. But to compete at the highest level, like at the Pok&eacute;mon World Championships, you're going to need a Switch. And there doesn't seem to be a good reason why.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Battle simulator <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/910110/pokemon-champions-bugs-balance-issues-vgc-newcomers"><em>Pok&eacute;mon Champions</em></a><em> </em>originally launched on the Switch and Switch 2 in April, with <a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/951576/pokemon-champions-ios-android-release-works">the mobile version</a> following in June. The experience is nearly identical across the game's versions; since it's cross-platform, the choice really comes down to what devices you own and whether you prefer tapping or using a controller. I find myself playing <em>Champions</em> on my phone more often just because it's always in …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/games/990691/competitive-pokemon-champions-mobile-tournament-accessibility">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>