I Have 900 Hours in This Free Pokemon Game, It's Better Than Ever
The Pokemon European International Championships kick off today. Scarlet and Violet, Pokemon Go, Trading Card Game are all hype to watch, but there’s one game you’re missing out on that, in my opinion, is the most exciting spectator esport in gaming right now, and it's one that I have over 900 hours in.
Not bad for a free-to-play game right?
Picture the scene. It’s London, 2025. A giant Pikachu inflatable looms over you as the atmosphere pulses with neon purple, sparks of light flashing across a stage in the far-right corner, the crowd roaring with a deafening intensity.
It can only mean one thing. Pokemon UNITE, the franchise’s best kept secret, is about to start a match.
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The gameplay loop is pretty simple. It’s a 5v5 multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, where you play as Pokemon. Work together with your team to take out your opponents and score points by defeating wild Pokémon and depositing them into enemy goals.
While the VGC offers pinpoint mathematical precision in a traditional turn-based RPG, UNITE replaces it with a 10-minute, heart-pounding brawl. Now, I love competitive Pokemon, in all its forms. I’ve been playing VGC since 2019, and this MOBA since its launch in 2021.
Last year, you could hear the Pokemon UNITE crowd from outside the venue, only rivaled by me and my friends starting a chant during the legendary Wolfe Glick vs. Dylan Yeomans masters showdown in Scarlet and Violet.
I’ve spent over 900 hours maining Hyper Voice Sylveon (sorry, another attacker), and I was shocked at the noise the crowd made, despite being so tiny. Though, check out the gameplay trailer and you'll soon see why.
The Road to Pokemon EUIC 2026
As the 2026 Pokémon European International Championships kick off today, there’s never been a better time to tune in. The shoutcaster team for Pokemon UNITE elevate this game to another level - special shout out to Spragels and Doobsnax, who might just be one of my favourite caster duos in esports right now.
Look, Pokemon UNITE isn’t perfect, I’ll be the first person to admit that. It’s free-to-play, so the monetisation can be a bit much at times, though never impacting performance. The balance patches are also dubious at times (I shudder remembering the days of the Mewtwo Y meta). But honestly, the balance is the best it’s ever been for EUIC 2026. Pokemon UNITE is a really fun game, perfect for bite-sized matches.
So whether you’re at Pokemon EUIC, or just tuning in from home, make sure you give Pokemon UNITE a watch, live on Pokemon UNITE’s YouTube and Twitch channels, ahead of the World Championships this August!