Pokémon Pokopia

Pokémon Legends: Z-A has only just been released, and Nintendo has already announced the next title. Pokémon Pokopia is a life-simulation and cosy game for the Nintendo Switch 2 in which you reshape an abandoned Pokémon world. You awaken as Ditto in the ruins of a Pokémon Center, take on human form (because that’s just what Ditto likes to do) and set out on your journey. Before long you meet Professor Tangrowth, a lonely but endearing old Pokémon who explains that both humans and Pokémon have disappeared. The world has become empty and barren. It’s up to you to bring it back to life. As more Pokémon come to live in your world, you gain more and more friends who help you gather resources, build and garden. In this way, Pokopia slowly grows into a place full of life.

Pokémon Pokopia is full of familiar Pokémon that you lure into your world by building, shaping and decorating. Some Pokémon, such as Bulbasaur and Squirtle, join you early in the story. They teach you how to use moves to make grass grow and water your crops. Other Pokémon only appear once you’ve created the right environment for them. For example, Hitmonchan can be counted among your residents if you place a punchbag, as he’s looking for somewhere to train. When you put a chair and a fishing rod by the shore, Magikarp will appear curiously in the water.

Finally, there are a few mysterious new variants that seem to play a larger role in the story. Peakychu is a pale Pikachu with large eyes and a soft glow. Mosslax is a Snorlax completely covered in moss, looking as if it hasn’t moved in centuries. Both Pokémon are, just like Professor Tangrowth, strikingly different from their usual forms, but it’s up to you to discover their exact role. Alongside these familiar friends and mysterious figures, you can convince many more Pokémon to move in: Gardevoir, Eevee and Zorua, but also new Pokémon such as Paldean Wooper and Tatsugiri from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet can become your new neighbours! In all likelihood, Pokémon Pokopia will eventually feature dozens, if not hundreds of Pokémon to collect.

Pokémon Pokopia supports multiplayer for up to 4 players, allowing you to build, gather or simply hang out together. With multiple players, everything goes faster: you complete quests more quickly, collect resources more efficiently and large building projects become feasible because everyone can contribute at the same time. You can visit each other’s worlds and help search for materials, but also lay paths together, expand fields or explore new areas. Thanks to GameShare, friends can join in without owning the game themselves, and even players with an original Nintendo Switch can take part, even though Pokopia is released exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. You can also play together online with a Nintendo Switch Online membership.