Pokemon Unite Is Shutting Down in 2027: What You Need to Know

Did you see this coming? Pokemon Unite, the Pokemon-themed MOBA for mobile and Switch, is officially shutting down. Nintendo announced the game will go offline on March 23, 2027, just days after the Aeos Crown 2027 tournament. That's nearly six years after it first launched on Switch back on July 21, 2021.

The writing had been on the wall for a while. Pokemon Unite always felt like the forgotten child of the Pokemon empire—it never made the cut for the 2027 Pokemon World Championships, and with the release of the battle-focused Pokemon Champions earlier this year, fans started wondering how long Unite would last. Nintendo has also stopped selling Aeos Gems, the game's premium currency, so you can't top up anymore.

In a press statement, The Pokemon Company and developer TiMi Studio Group said: "We offer our sincerest gratitude to the many Trainers who have played since service started for the Nintendo Switch version on July 21, 2021. We hope you continue to enjoy Pokemon Unite until the final day of service." So at least they're going out with some class.

But here's some good news: you won't lose everything. A new Library update is available that lets you view your career progress and stats, and you can still play practice rounds. Online matches, though, will be a thing of the past after March 2027. So if you want to get those last few ranked games in, now's the time.

Pokemon Unite joins a growing list of Nintendo mobile games that have been shut down. Mario Kart Tour is already in the graveyard, and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp transitioned from an online game to a microtransaction-free version that costs $10. It's a reminder that live-service games don't last forever, even ones with the Pokemon name attached.

Looking ahead, Pokemon fans have plenty to be excited about. Pokemon Winds and Waves is on the horizon—the longest wait yet between mainline entries—but from the teasers, it looks like Game Freak is cooking something special. So while Unite is saying goodbye, the franchise is marching on.

What do you think about Pokemon Unite shutting down? Will you be hopping in for one last match before the servers go dark? Let us know in the comments!