Nintendo has announced Pokémon Pokopia, a new spin-off title launching on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. Revealed during September’s Nintendo Direct, the game departs from the franchise’s traditional format by focusing on exploration, building, and community creation.
In Pokopia, players control a Ditto morphed into a human who can befriend Pokémon and learn their abilities. These abilities are central to gameplay, allowing players to modify the environment and expand the island.
For example, Ditto can learn a Grass-type move from Bulbasaur to grow vegetation, or a Water-type move from Squirtle to restore dried plants.
The mechanics encourage players to build gradually. By gathering resources such as wood, stone, and crops, players can craft furniture and construct living spaces for Pokémon.
Different Pokémon contribute unique skills that shape the island: Charmander provides fire to light campfires, Hitmonchan can break walls into building materials, and Drilbur tills soil for farming.
The game features varied environments, including forests, beaches, and waterfalls, along with a real-time day-and-night cycle that influences atmosphere and activity.
As players develop their island, more Pokémon arrive, each unlocking further abilities that deepen customisation and progression.
Unlike the series’ mainline entries, Pokopia emphasises interaction and cooperation rather than battling. Players are encouraged to take their time, designing a shared habitat that grows as more Pokémon join the community.
Dialogue features also allow players to interpret Pokémon speech, offering an added layer of connection between the player’s Ditto and the wider Pokémon world.
With its emphasis on creativity, resource management, and collaborative play, Pokémon Pokopia introduces a fresh approach to the franchise. The title is scheduled to launch in 2026 exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
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