Ostensibly a Japan-only network test, if you have a Japan-region Nintendo account, you can try out Pokemon Unite for yourself ahead of its launch on the platform in July. This test doesn’t need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, so you can just download it off the eshop and take it for a spin. After playing the first mobile beta – impressions here – I’ll be noting the differences as follows.

PRESENTATION

One of the biggest changes is that the initial 2D sprite artwork for the NPCs are now 3D models! I hooked up my Switch to a larger screen and the models look fine. I’m sure some people will say that they reused the 3D models from other games or whatever, but let it be known I don’t give a damn. As it’s a Japanese test build, it’s also entirely in Japanese, so I can’t really comment on how the roman letters will be rendered in a full release. As a long time mobile game player, I recognize that the English language is an ornery beast to put into interfaces.

The shop has now expanded to include fashion items for your Trainer, with certain pieces – as with Pokemon battle licenses – available to purchase with alternate currency. If you want a different eye shape / colours for your Trainer, you will need to purchase the additional palettes. Monetization at this point is still unknown.

From the selection of Pokemon, you can check their evolutionary lines to see which level you need to keep in mind.

GAMEPLAY

Nothing much has changed in this case. You still find wild roaming Pokemon to beat up, you still slam dunk points into your opponents’ zones. With the Joy-Cons, I can hold down the A button to attack and my Pokemon will move to the closest thing in range to attack. I’d say the auto-targetting isn’t especially refined, and if there’s a way to swap targets, I don’t know it due to my minimal command of Japanese

There’s the option to add in friends to your party to go into matches, with the option to fight against CPU or entering a lobby password for private matches. The standard ranking matches will be the bulk of what you’ll be going for, with presumably other gameplay modes to follow in the future. While I picked Talonflame in the original beta, based on observation alone, other Pokemon will have their various passive effects alongside active skills. My Alolan Ninetails, for example, will periodically drop these small ice fields, and basic attacks also inflict a chill debuff. Active skills are colour-coded according to what type of skill they are; be it offensive, healing or buffing.

The shop also includes Hold Items now. While I can guess what some of the familiar looking ones do, any specifics I’ll leave to translators and / or full release information, pending changes.

Matches remain set at 10 minutes. Incidentally, this test removes Gardevoir from the previous line-up of Pokemon, instead now having the Jigglypuff line.

MISCELLANY

As you level up your Trainer, you can get goodies based on the milestone you reach. There are log in bonuses as you might expect. You can expect to personalize your Trainer card eventually, with icon frames, and card displays at some point.

Due to the PVP nature of the game, you also have these “Fair Play” points. You start off at 100, and presumably when you’re at a low enough threshold, you’ll be barred from ranking matches. It’s unclear to me right now how you can regain these points, but they have at least a measure in place.

I definitely will much prefer playing the game on my Switch rather than mobile. I won’t need to worry about my phone overheating in my hand or running out of battery if I decide to hook it up to a bigger screen. I didn’t see any egregious performance issues on the regular Nintendo Switch, which may be subject to change for mobile devices prior to optimization.

Pokemon Unite isn’t be my kind of game, but honestly, do give it a shot. I think it’ll be quite fun, and who knows, the competitive scene might yet grow.

Download

Pokemon Unite

Developer: TiMi Studios

Release Date: 2021-07-22

Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch

Trainers unite in Pokémon UNITE! Experience a new kind of Pokémon battle in the Pokémon UNITE regional beta test! Team up and face off in 5-on-5 team battles to see who can score the most points within the allotted time. Work together with your fellow Trainers to catch wild Pokémon, level up and evolve your partner Pokémon, and defeat the opposing team’s Pokémon to prevent them from scoring points. Put your teamwork to the test, and take home the win!