The initial Pokémon Day reveal for Pokémon UNITE’s 2025 lineup named Suicune, Alolan Raichu, and Alcremie. Later announcements added a wider release plan and more specific dates, including Empoleon, Dhelmise, Vaporeon, Mega Lucario, and Mega Charizard X.
What Pokémon did Pokémon UNITE reveal on Pokémon Day 2025?
Nintendo’s February 27, 2025 Pokémon Day roundup said Suicune, Alolan Raichu, and Alcremie would soon join Pokémon UNITE. It also noted that Remoat Stadium had returned to ranked matches and that players could try a new type of battle.
Nintendo described Pokémon UNITE as free to download in that announcement. The reveal was an early-year announcement, not a complete list of all the Pokémon and updates announced later in 2025.
How did the planned release cadence change later in 2025?
In its fourth-anniversary producer letter in July 2025, the Pokémon UNITE team said Latios and Latias would join the fray and outlined plans for two new Unite licenses per month from September through December. The planned licenses included Mega-Evolving Pokémon. The letter also said the team was working to add more Pokémon in 2026 and beyond; these were plans stated at the time, not guarantees that every target date would be met.
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- Revisit the Sinnoh region from the original Pokémon Diamond Version game and set off to try and become the Champion of the Pokémon League
- The Pokémon Brilliant Diamond game brings new life to this remade classic with added features
- Explore the Grand Underground to dig up items and Pokémon Fossils, build a Secret Base, and more.
- Test your style and rhythm in a Super Contest Show
- A reimagined adventure, now for the Nintendo Switch system
The team described its intention this way: “Going forward, new Pokémon will be joining the fray more often, so that players can enjoy more strategies and play styles.” It also reported that the game had been downloaded over 200 million times, including the mainland Chinese version released in November 2024. That is a team-reported cumulative figure from the July 2025 letter, not a current download count.
Which Pokémon were named in the later 2025 announcements?
The follow-up announcements added release timing and mechanics to the broader plan:
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- Meet countless characters from the beloved series
- High-end visuals, modern resolutions and carefully polished gameplay
- Brand new horde mode multiplayer for up to two players, online and splitscreen
- Groudon: The official video description said Groudon would appear in Theia Sky Ruins beginning September 4, 2025.
- Empoleon: The same description set its arrival for September 19, 2025.
- Dhelmise and Vaporeon: The August video described both as joining later, without giving dates in that description.
- Mega Lucario and Mega Charizard X: A September announcement set their debuts for September 28 and October 24, 2025, respectively.
The official roster currently includes Empoleon, Dhelmise, Vaporeon, Latias, Latios, and Pawmot alongside the Pokémon named in these announcements. The roster can change as the game receives further updates.
How do Mega Evolution Unite licenses differ?
The September announcement explained that Mega Lucario and Mega Charizard X use distinct Mega Evolution Unite licenses. Their format differs from a standard Unite license in three documented ways:
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- Don the role of a Pokémon Trainer as you travel through Kanto
- Discover a new species of Pokémon with the Pokémon Lets Go series
- Catch Pokémon in the wild using a gentle throwing motion with either a Joy-Con controller or a Poké Ball Plus accessory, which will light up, vibrate, and make sounds to bring your adventure to life
- See the world in style by customizing Pikachu and your Trainer with a selection of outfits
- Connect to Pokémon GO* to transfer caught Kanto-region Pokémon, including Alolan and Shiny forms, as well as the newly discovered Pokémon, Meltan, from that game to this one
| Feature | Standard Unite license | Mega Evolution Unite license |
|---|---|---|
| Moves | Two move tracks | One fixed moveset |
| Mega Evolution | Not described as part of the standard license format | Mega Evolves after using its Unite Move, improving stats and moves for a short time |
| Held items | Not specified in the announcement | Two slots, one occupied by the appropriate Mega Stone |
The temporary transformation is tied to the Unite Move rather than being a permanent state. The fixed moveset also means players do not choose between two move tracks for these Mega-Evolving characters.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can players play Pokémon UNITE?
The official Pokémon UNITE site describes the game as 5-on-5 team battles and says Nintendo Switch and mobile players can battle cross-platform. Platform and roster details are subject to change as the game is updated.
Quick Recap
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- Play as a Pokémon as you talk to, befriend and fight alongside your favourite characters
- Revisit the classic in this beautiful watercolour remake of the first Mystery Dungeon - on Nintendo Switch for the very first time
- Your personality decides who you are. Answer questions about yourself to see which of the 16 Pokémon starters you will become
- Meet over 386 Pokémon and go on adventures with your handpicked rescue team to save the world from natural disasters
- Explore Mystery dungeons that change terrain, enemies and rewards every time you enter?
Sources
- Nintendo Pokémon Day roundup, February 27, 2025
- Pokémon UNITE fourth-anniversary producer letter, July 2025
- Official Pokémon UNITE video description, August 17, 2025
- Official Mega Evolution announcement, September 2025
- Official Pokémon UNITE site and roster
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