When Pokémon Champions launches on April 8, the Pokémon video game franchise will never be the same. Champions itself is less a video game and more a platform through which gamers can participate in Pokémon battles online, streamlining the competitive experience to make it more approachable than ever before. It’s also replacing the most recent Pokémon game as the default setting for all battles in the Pokémon World Championship Series, a major change that may be permanent moving forward. On my very first day at PAX East 2026, I rushed to the line for Pokémon Champions as soon as possible. The line attendant told me that based on where I stood, I’d be waiting three hours until I was able to play (so, effectively the TSA lines at any major airport this month). By a longshot, it was easily the most popular demo at the convention. So I elbowed my way to the side of the line where I could watch people play.…