After being announced in 2020, last year, Pokémon Unite launched worldwide on Nintendo consoles and mobile devices. Is the MOBA free on the Switch?
After years of anticipation, Pokémon Unite made its debut on the Nintendo Switch in July 2021, leaving many to wonder if it’s free to play there. Developed by TiMi Studio Group, the Pokémon multiplayer features a battle arena mode that pits two teams of five players against each other in online competitive matches. The game’s vibrant Pokémon roster and accessible MOBA gameplay made it a massive hit with fans of the Game Freak franchise.
Initially launching first on the Nintendo Switch, Pokémon Unite was later released on mobile platforms such as iOS and Android. After multiple updates and seasons, the team-based multiplayer now has over 32 playable Pokémon. From Charizard and Snorlax to Mythical Pokémon such as Hoopa, the Nintendo MOBA is packed with a variety of exciting Pokémon to battle with.
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Nintendo Switch owners looking to jump into the MOBA for the first time may be wondering if Pokémon Unite is free on the hybrid-handheld console. While players will need to purchase Pokémon licenses to access the game’s entire roster, Pokémon Unite is completely free. According to Nintendo, players can download the MOBA on their Nintendo Switch from the Nintendo eShop at no additional cost.
Does Pokémon Unite Require A Nintendo Switch Online Subscription?
Although Nintendo’s online features were free for decades, the Japanese studio made the move to a paid-subscription model in 2018. Games such as Minecraft and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe now require a Nintendo Switch Online Subscription for players to access their multiplayer modes. So while Pokémon Unite is free to download, it’s understandable why there would be some confusion as to whether the online-only multiplayer would require a subscription to play it.
Even though many multiplayer-based games need the premium Nintendo service to go online, Pokémon Unite does not need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play it. The team-based title is not only completely free to download, but it’s also free-to-play as well. However, the Nintendo MOBA does offer players a variety of optional microtransactions such as Pokémon cosmetic skins and Held Items which boost the stats of Pokémon in battle. Luckily, TiMi Studio has also made it so Pokémon Unite players can technically unlock everything for free with in-game currency earned by playing in matches and participating in seasonal events.
Nintendo Switch owners interested in downloading the Pokémon MOBA can do so by simply booting up the Nintendo eShop tab from the home menu. After…