Pokemon Unite will shut down its servers in Belgium and the Netherlands on November 30, ending support for players in these regions permanently. While the exact reason has not been confirmed, there are several clues that suggest why Pokemon Unite is leaving fans behind in these regions.
This is not the first time The Pokemon Company and Nintendo have shut down one of their mobile titles. In the past, games like Pokemon Duel and Pokemon Rumble Rush were abandoned after struggling globally. However, it appears that Pokemon Unite is being shut down in Belgium and the Netherlands for a completely different reason.
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Pokemon Unite to Shut Down in Belgium and the Netherlands on November 30
Belgium and the Netherlands have been pioneers in establishing laws against gacha mechanics and loot boxes in video games, which seems to be the main reason for Pokemon Unite's server shutdowns in these regions on November 30. These countries argue that certain RNG-based microtransactions in games may violate their anti-gambling laws, leading to new regulations that force developers to remove such features. Instead of complying with these rules, Pokemon Unite has seemingly chosen to shut down its servers, likely because those microtransactions are central to its sustainability. It's also worth noting that the ban covers all versions of the game across iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch.
The sad part is that Pokemon Unite's player base has recently seen massive growth, likely thanks to the addition of Mega Evolved Pokemon. The game had eight million players on iOS and Android in August, marking roughly 130% growth compared to May 2025 (via ActivePlayer.io). Meanwhile, players in Belgium and the Netherlands will have to either use workarounds like VPNs to keep playing or give up their accounts along with all their collectibles and purchased items. Additionally, new players in these regions will face greater difficulty creating an account, as the game will be removed from all storefronts.
Some fans in the affected regions worry they will lose the chance to collect points for the Pokemon World Championships, while others feel it is unfair that the developer is taking away all their owned items by making Pokemon Unite unplayable. This frustration has been building since October 2024, when in-app purchases were disabled and players were urged to spend their remaining currencies before the shutdown on November 30, 2025. With the deadline approaching, it remains unclear whether the developer will provide any reliable workarounds to help players in these regions preserve their progress.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 68 /100 Critics Rec: 41%
- Released
- July 21, 2021
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- TiMi Studios
- Publisher(s)
- The Pokemon Company
WHERE TO PLAY
Join Trainers from around the world as they head for Aeos Island to compete in Unite Battles! In Unite Battles, Trainers face off in 5-on-5 team battles to see who can score the most points within the allotted time. Teamwork is key as you and your teammates defeat wild Pokémon, level up and evolve your partner Pokémon, and knock out the opposing team’s Pokémon to prevent them from scoring points. Put your teamwork to the test, and take home the win!
BATTLE IN STYLE: Take to the field while looking your best in Holowear! Thanks to a special technology developed using Aeos energy, Trainers can deck out their Pokémon in a variety of holographic outfits—with new styles arriving regularly!
UNITE MOVES: Unleash the true power of your Pokémon with Unite Moves! Leverage these all-new Pokémon moves, which are only possible while in Unite Battles, and turn the tide of even the direst situations.
RANK UP: Looking to prove how skilled you are? Participate in ranked matches, and earn points as you climb up the global leaderboard!
COMMUNICATION IS KEY: Even the most skilled Trainers recognize how important communication is to their team’s success. Leverage signals, quick-chat messages, and—for the first time in a Pokémon title—voice chat to communicate and stay in sync with your team.
- Engine
- Unity
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Mobile & Switch
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Genre(s)
- MOBA
- Platform(s)
- Mobile, Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
- How Long To Beat
- 19 Hours
