Pokémon Unite

Pokémon Unite brings the MOBA concept into the world of Pokémon, but simplifies it into matches lasting around ten minutes, where instead of destroying the opponent's base, players score points at central scoring points scattered across the map. Touchscreen controls use a virtual joystick and contextual buttons for attacks and abilities, so the game can be handled even without prior experience with classic PC MOBAs, where the entry barrier tends to be much higher. The selection of Pokémon divided into roles - attacker, defender, support, all-rounder or ranged attacker - gives players clearly readable archetypes they're used to from other team games, while also allowing a balanced five-person team to be assembled.

Developer TiMi Studio Group, which has extensive experience with mobile action titles for the Chinese market, released the game in 2021 simultaneously for mobile devices and the Nintendo Switch console with full cross-play between platforms, an unusual step for licensed brands at the time. Monetization runs on a battle pass, cosmetics and unlockable held items, which can also be obtained just by playing, placing the game among the more accessible forms of free-to-play compared to purely gacha competition dependent on chance. For longtime Pokémon fans, this was the brand's first official venture into the MOBA genre, opening it up to an entirely new group of players who until then had only known the series from its main RPG entries on game consoles and handhelds.

Why play it: Recommended for Pokémon fans as well as complete newcomers to the MOBA genre who want shorter and more accessible matches than classic PC MOBA games.