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Nintendo hosted a packed Direct event in September, and one of the biggest announcements was the new Pokémon spin-off game called Pokémon Pokopia. This game, unlike anything Pokémon has done before, seems to draw inspiration from Minecraft, Animal Crossing, and possibly Dragon Quest Builders.
In Pokopia, you play as a Ditto that has taken on a human form. Your goal is to build a life for yourself and the other Pokémon you meet along the way. These Pokémon can use their moves to help you farm, construct, harvest, and complete various tasks as you care for your own area in Pokopia.
Pokémon Pokopia will be available exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 on March 5, 2026. Below, you’ll find all the details about how and where to pre-order the game.
Pre-Ordering Pokémon Pokopia
You might think that a Pokémon spin-off would cost less than the mainline games, but that’s not the case here. Pokopia is a full-priced, first-party game for the Switch 2. Although it isn’t as expensive as Mario Kart World, which remains at $80, Pokémon Pokopia is priced at $69.99. This might seem a bit steep given that we haven’t seen much gameplay or content yet.
If you’re interested in pre-ordering Pokopia, there are links below for where you can buy it for $70.
Pre-Order Locations
Pokopia will be available in both digital and physical formats. The physical version sparked some excitement when Nintendo showed a special Pokopia game card. These so-called game-key cards don’t contain the game itself but act as keys that activate a digital download on your Switch 2. This type of card has been controversial since the launch of Switch 2, mainly because they require digital download codes.
Interestingly, Pokopia is the first Nintendo-published game to use a game-key card. Usually, these cards are limited to third-party releases early in the Switch 2’s lifecycle, mostly because Nintendo’s cards are at least 64GB in size. Luckily, Pokopia’s game size is only 10GB, so it can fit on a smaller card. This means you won’t need to delete the game to make room for other games or updates, which is especially useful for a life simulation game that fans might play regularly for years, similar to Animal Crossing.
Pre-order bonuses for Pokopia haven’t been announced yet. However, previous Pokémon games like Pokémon Legends: Z-A offered region-specific pre-order bonuses, so more offers might be revealed soon. Keep an eye out for updates as they become available.
Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary in 2026
Pokopia is set to kick off what could be one of the biggest years for Pokémon in recent history. 2026 marks 30 years since the debut of Pokémon Red and Green. The Pokémon Company is expected to have plenty of celebrations planned, including merchandise, trading cards, and possibly new game announcements beyond the games themselves.
Pokopia launches a week after Pokémon Day. This timing suggests we might see a final trailer for the life-sim game on February 27. By then, more details about what else Pokémon has in store are likely to be revealed, including possible DLC for Pokémon Legends: Z-A or the first look at Generation 10 games. Fans are hoping for another Pokémon Snap, too.
FAQs
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Will Pokémon Pokopia be playable on the original Switch? No, the game will only be available on the Switch 2.
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Will Pokémon Pokopia support multiplayer? Yes, up to four players can enjoy the game together at the same time.
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Will Pokopia have online features? While Nintendo and Pokémon haven’t specified, the multiplayer aspect strongly suggests that online play will be included.
Images and Additional Content
Pokopia’s reveal shows a small Pokémon in a lush, building-focused environment, emphasizing the game’s creative and life-simulation elements. Its small file size and support for multiplayer are promising features for fans eager to experience something new in the Pokémon universe.
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