Pokemon Pokopia is set to bring us a delightfully ditto-shaped experience that has serious Animal Crossing vibes. First announced back during the September 2025 Nintendo Direct, we've since gotten an extended look at the upcoming Switch 2 game, as well as a release date. And now that 2026 is officially underway, we really don't have much longer to wait until we can dive into the new game for ourselves.
As more of an off-shoot of its own, Pokemon Pokopia will see you play as a Ditto, who's transformed to look like a human. Working together with other Pokemon pals, you'll be able to build up your own little town, grow crops, and much more. With a laidback feel and an adorable aesthetic, it looks like one very charming life sim.
So, if you're eager to learn more about all things Pokemon Pokopia as we approach the release date in a few months, read on below as we recap everything you need to know.
Pokemon Pokopia release date
Nintendo has confirmed that Pokemon Pokopia is launching on March 5, 2026.
This release date was revealed on November 11, 2025, and an extended trailer was dropped a few days later to confirm that pre-orders are now live as well. It's a welcomed update for any cozy gamers out there as Pokemon Pokopia was a highlight of September's Nintendo Direct, along with Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave.
Hopefully, no delays will happen, but we'll keep you posted on any and all updates as they come.
Pokemon Pokopia platforms
Pokemon Pokopia will launch on the Nintendo Switch 2, with no other platforms confirmed. As it's a Pokemon game, though, don't expect to see it arrive anywhere but the Switch 2.
Pokemon Pokopia trailers
Above is the first trailer for Pokemon Pokopia. It gives us our first look at Ditto transforming into a human trainer and helping out his Pokemon friends. However, below is the extended Pokemon Pokopia trailer, which offers a closer look at gameplay.
In the clip we see that Ditto is tasked to revitalise a town where humans and Pokemon once co-existed. We also see a number of different Pokemon that Ditto can turn into as they unlock abilities and build up the town. Exciting stuff!
Pokemon Pokopia gameplay
As seen in the above trailer, Pokemon Pokopia will focus on creating a cozy environment for Pokemon to live. You'll need to create habitats that will also need to meet certain requirements if you want to attract specific Pokemon to your town. Crafting and decorating play a big part in this aspect.
However, once you meet different Pokémon, you'll also get access to new abilities that will let you expand your town and decorate. This includes using moves to do things like grow wild grass for Pokemon, collect supplies to make grander furniture and buildings, using moves to fly or swim to new areas, and even grow food for residents.
On top of rebuilding your town and getting more Pokemon as residents, you'll have to complete Pokemon requests, helping critters out of jams and making sure they are comfy and happy. Multiplayer, photo mode, and character customization have also been confirmed, so it's looking to be a very laid-back but well-rounded experience, folks.
The trailer also places an emphasis on taking things slow, so Pokemon Pokopia seems to be a slow-burner in the vein of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which even after all this time remains one of the best Switch games around. That's all to say: a cozy life sim set in Pokemon's world? Yes please!
Pokemon Pokopia story
While we know that Pokemon Pokopia follows a Ditto who is tasked with rebuilding a town for Pokemon and humans to live, we're yet to see if a broader story will be told through the game. There's a chance it will, as protagonist Ditto is seen breaking out of an abandoned Poke Ball and dusting sand off a mysterious Pokedex – which conveniently has their trainer's face covered up.
Perhaps we'll learn more about Ditto's backstory, or it could be the case that Pokopia's story is less direct and focuses solely on the town as it's built – think of the way Animal Crossing: New Horizons slowly developed and fleshed out each day. There's been no mention of a story from Nintendo or The Pokemon Company's side, though, so we'll have to wait and see to learn more.
Pokemon Pokopia pre-order
Pokemon Pokopia pre-orders are now live, with digital and physical copies now available on Nintendo's official store, as well as various retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, and more.
Some pre-order goodies are also available to snap up ahead of the March launch. Pre-orders over at the Pokemon Center in both the US and the UK currently are live, for example, that will get you an adorable Ditto plush and the game for $69.99. Over on the Nintendo store UK, you can also get a Ditto reusable mug (£66.99) or a tote bag (£66.99) with or Ditto travel bag with digital and physical pre-orders.
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