Pokémon Champions Junior Kicks Off Today in German eShop

Pokémon Champions receives a double dose of new content today: First, Pokémon Champions Junior, a version specifically tailored for younger players, launches on the German eShop. Second, a new battle mechanic, Z-Mega Evolutions, makes its debut.

What is Pokémon Champions Junior?

Pokémon Champions Junior is a streamlined version of the battle game Pokémon Champions, entirely free of in-game purchases. It is explicitly aimed at a younger audience and launches today, September 9, 2026, on the Nintendo eShop for Germany and Brazil – two markets where the regular installment was not previously available in this form.

It’s noteworthy that Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are specifically prioritizing the German market for the Junior version: In the past, streamlined or region-specific variants of Pokémon games rarely made it to Europe, or did so with significant delays. The simultaneous launch with the major update suggests that Pokémon Champions is intended to be expanded long-term as an independent platform catering to multiple target audiences.

What Do the New Z-Mega Evolutions Bring to Pokémon Champions?

In parallel, the regular Pokémon Champions receives an update introducing the so-called Z-Mega Evolutions. Specifically announced so far are, among others:

Mega Lucario Z
Mega Garchomp Z
Mega Absol Z

These forms combine the Mega Evolutions familiar from previous games with Z-Moves, creating a new, more powerful combat option. For competitive players, this is likely to significantly shake up team composition in the coming weeks, as the power balance between individual Pokémon shifts.

For the German market, the Junior release is particularly relevant: Parents who want to provide their children with a Pokémon battle game free of microtransactions now have an official alternative directly from the eShop for the first time, without having to rely on parental control settings in the main game.

Regarding switching between both versions: Pokémon Champions and Pokémon Champions Junior technically run on the same Nintendo eShop infrastructure for Switch and Switch 2, but they target different audiences and are listed as separate entries in the store. If you're unsure which variant is right for your family, you should check the respective age rating on the eShop before purchasing.