How To Download Pokémon Unite On Nintendo Switch For Free (Picture Guide)

Learn how to download Pokémon Unite on Nintendo Switch for FREE in this step-by-step picture guide.

Wally

Updated:

October 18, 2023

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Pikachu running at the camera (pokemon unite nintendo switch screenshot)

Today, I’ll be showing you how to download the fun multiplayer online battle arena game Pokémon Unite on Nintendo Switch for free.

Download Pokémon Unite on Nintendo Switch for free by first connecting your console to the internet. Then navigate to the Nintendo Switch eShop, type “Pokémon Unite” in the search box, then click Free Download on the game’s profile page. The game will download and install to your console immediately.

Downloading Pokémon Unite on Nintendo Switch is easy once you know how it’s done.

Continue reading for a detailed step-by-step picture guide of the process.

I’ll also explain what Pokémon Unite is, if Pokémon Unite is actually free, along with its file size.

If you are interested in checking out the most popular Nintendo Switch games everyone’s playing, you can find them by clicking here.

How To Download Pokémon Unite On Nintendo Switch (For Free)

Pokémon Unite is now available for Nintendo Switch. And it’s free-to-play and FREE to download!

Downloading Pokémon Unite is a fairly simple process that doesn’t require too many steps to complete, so you’ll be jumping into Pokémon battles against people around the world in no time.

Grab your Nintendo Switch and let’s start downloading Pokémon Unite.

TUTORIAL DIFFICULTY: Easy
TIME REQUIRED: A few minutes

NOTE: Make sure your Nintendo Switch is charged or connected to an outlet before beginning this process. Internet access is required to download Nintendo Switch software.

1) Connect Nintendo Switch To The Internet

Netwwrok icons and internet connection test text at the cetner of a dark screen

Connect your Nintendo Switch to a reliable and stable internet connection.

Need help connecting your Nintendo Switch to WiFi?

Read this detailed, step-by-step guide I created explaining the process.

How To Connect You Nintendo Switch to WiFi (Picture Guide)

2) Navigate To Nintendo Switch’s HOME Menu

Nintendo Switch Home Menu with a list of game icons and app icons below them

Turn on your Nintendo Switch.

Navigate to the HOME Menu by pressing the HOME button on your Nintendo Switch controller.

3) Select The Nintendo eShop App

A close up of the Nintendo Switch app icons with a yellow arrow pointing at the Nintendo eShop app icon

Navigate to Nintendo eShop (the purse icon) at the bottom of the screen.

Press A to accept.

4) Select Your Nintendo Switch Profile

Select the Nintendo Switch Profile you want to use.

Press A to confirm.

NOTE: A free Nintendo Account must be connected to your Nintendo Switch Profile in order to connect to the Nintendo eShop.

5) Navigate To The “Search/Browse Field”

A search box with a yellow arrow pointing at it

Scroll upwards and highlight Search/Browse.

Press A to confirm.

NOTE: A search bar should appear to the right of the screen.

6) Highlight The Search Bar

Navigate to the search box to the right of the screen.

Press A to confirm.

An on-screen keyboard will appear.

7) Type “Pokémon Unite” Into The Search Field

An on-screen keyboard with the words "pokemon unite" typed in

Type Pokémon Unite into the search field.

Press + then A to confirm.

8) Select Pokémon Unite From The List Of Results

Pokemon Unite game icon on the Nintendo Switch eShop with a yellow arrow pointing at the game

A list of Pokémon Unite associated apps will appear.

Select the application that says Pokémon Unite.

Press A to confirm.

You will be taken to the Pokémon Unite product page.

9) Highlight The “Free Download” Button

Pokemon Unite downlaod page with a yellwo arrow poinitng at the Free Download button

Highlight the Free Download button to the right. Press the A button to navigate to the confirmation page.

NOTE: The Free Download button will say Redownload instead if you already have downloaded but deleted the software.

Press the A button to confirm.

Highlight Close and Press A to return to the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu.

Pokémon Unite will begin downloading.

10) Wait For Pokémon Unite To Finish Downloading

Pokemon Unite Nintendo Switch icon with a yellow arrow pointing at it

The Pokémon Unite game icon will appear at the front of the list of games with a download progress bar.

A gray screen with white font showing the download progress bar of a Nintendo Switch game

Highlight Pokémon Unite’s game icon and press A to view a detailed look at how long the download will take.

Pokémon Unite requires a small amount of storage space, so it may not take too long to download depending on the internet connection used.

11) Play Pokémon Unite

Pokemon Unite epic actipn image with Pokemon battling each other in a city during the day — Image: The Pokémon Company

Congratulations! You downloaded Pokémon Unite for free on Nintendo Switch.

Now start playing this fun action-oriented Pokémon battle arena game with friends and gamers around the world!

Or continue reading for even more details you need to know about this free-to-play title.

What is Pokémon Unite? (Game Details, Genre, & Goal Of The Game)

Pokemon battling in a city (pokemon unite nintendo switch screenshot) — Image: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon Unite is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game where players choose one of many Pokémon creatures to do battle in 5 versus 5 teams.

Players select a Pokémon and use its unique attacks to help that player’s team score points and proclaim victory.

The object of the game is to defeat computer and player controlled Pokémon to gain points and then to offload the points into enemy zones.

Scoring is easier said than done in this team-based online action title that is easy to pick up, yet challenging to master.

Pokémon Unite Nintendo Switch Details:

1-10 players online
Action, Multiplayer
Digital only
TV, Tabletop, and Handheld modes
English, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese languages

Pokémon Unite launched on July 21st, 2021 for the Nintendo Switch and for mobile phones (Android and iOS) in September 2021.

NOTE: Pokémon Unite supports cross-play and cross-save, allowing you to take your progress with you no matter what device you’re playing on.

What Is Pokémon Unite’s Nintendo Switch File Size?

A list of Pokemon Unite game details (pokemon unite nintendo switch screenshot) — Image: The Pokémon Company

Pokémon Unite for Nintendo Switch requires

928 MB free space

NOTE: Make sure you have enough internal storage or storage space on your microSD card before beginning to download the game.

Is Pokémon Unite Free on Nintendo Switch?

Pokémon Unite is absolutely free on Nintendo Switch. Downloading the game from the Nintendo eShop will not cost you any money. Although some in-game items will cost in-game and/or real money.

Pokémon Unite items that require money:

new clothing
in-game currency
Pokémon licenses
items
the game’s player progression suite (commonly known as a Battle Pass)

Do you have to spend real money in Pokémon Unite?

You are never obligated to spend real money in Pokémon Unite. Optionally, you can buy Aeos gems (an in-game currency used in Pokémon Unite) with real money.

There are a few things you should know about Aeos gems:

Aeos Gems are in-game currency
Aeos Gems are used to buy in-game items such as outfits, items, and Pokémon
Aeos Gems are purchased with real money
Aeos gems can also be received by participating in events
Aeos gems are NEVER required to play or enjoy the game

Finally, buying cosmetic items for your trainer or Pokémon with Aeos Gems is optional and doesn’t affect gameplay.

Is internet required to download or play Pokémon Unite?

A stable internet connection is required to download and play Pokémon Unite on Nintendo Switch. I suggest using a USB Ethernet Wired internet adapter to keep your connection stable and lag-free while the Nintendo Switch is docked in TV mode.

This is the adapter I purchased from Amazon and have been using for more than 3 years. It’s travel size, durable, and doesn’t get in the way.

NOTE: The Nintendo Switch OLED dock already has the wired Ethernet port built in so an additional purchase is not needed.

Does Pokémon Unite Require Nintendo Switch Online?

A Nintendo Switch Online subscription is not required to play Pokémon Unite on Nintendo Switch. However, a free Nintendo Account (along with a connected Nintendo Switch profile) is required.

Learn how to create a Nintendo Account by reading this detailed, step-by-step picture guide I created.

How To Create A Free Nintendo Account (Picture Guide)