The mobile version of Pokémon Champions is now available, allowing players to engage in competitive battles without a Switch. However, to compete at the highest level, such as the Pokémon World Championships, a Switch is still required. The mobile version of the game was launched in June, following the Switch and Switch 2 versions in April. Despite the cross-platform availability, the mobile version is not permitted in regional-level tournaments and above. This restriction has raised questions about the reasoning behind the decision.

During a roundtable interview at the World Championships, Champions producer Masaaki Hoshino explained that the Switch 2's graphics are considered superior to those on mobile devices. He also mentioned that allowing players to use their own devices could complicate tournament logistics. However, this explanation seems less relevant after the September 1st rule update, which allows mobile participation in certain local tournaments. The decision appears to reflect a preference for maintaining higher production standards at major events, such as the World Championships, which are streamed and have high attendance.

The official VGC rules handbook does provide a workaround for visual fidelity concerns. It states that Team IDs can be used for recordkeeping and streamed matches, with the tournament organizer providing the hardware. This suggests that the issue is more about tournament standards than technical limitations. Hosh, the producer, also noted that cross-platform play is the most challenging aspect of the game's development, as all battle calculations are handled on the server side. This complexity may have contributed to the current restrictions, but it is now resolved with both versions available.

Other competitive Pokémon games, such as Pokémon Unite and Pokémon Go, have successfully used mobile platforms for high-level competition. Pokémon Unite allows mobile participation in high-level events, and Pokémon Go's competitive matches are streamed similarly to VGC events. These examples suggest that mobile is a viable option for competitive play. However, the Pokémon Company has not extended this policy to all levels of competition for Champions, raising questions about the rationale behind the decision.

The mobile version of Champions has been downloaded around 25 million times, surpassing the total Switch 2 install base. This indicates a significant number of mobile users, potentially including players who may not afford a Switch. Despite this, the requirement for a Switch at high-level tournaments may exclude some players from competing at the highest level. The game's design emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility, which seems at odds with the current tournament requirements. As the Pokémon Championship continues to grow in popularity, the decision to restrict mobile participation at major events may be seen as a missed opportunity to further expand its accessibility.

The process of building a competitive team is similar whether players use a Switch or a mobile device. Players can obtain most Pokémon needed for a team through the game's gacha-style recruit feature, and training is more efficient than in previous versions. However, the exclusion of Eternal Flower Floette, a Pokémon only obtainable through another game, may still pose challenges for some players. The decision to restrict mobile participation at high-level tournaments may inadvertently limit the game's inclusivity, despite its design philosophy. As the Pokémon Championship continues to grow, the need for accessibility remains a key consideration for its future development.