When it was announced in September 2025, Pokemon Pokopia appeared to be the franchise’s cozy-game answer to Animal Crossing and Minecraft. But after the recently released extended trailer for the game, fans have pointed out intriguing and dark links to some of the previous titles in the franchise.
It’s almost unsettling that one of the first things seen in the extended trailer is a devastated Pokemon Center and a generation-one Pokedex. As noted on Reddit (via Eurogamer), one of the fan theories suggests that Pokopia is set on Cinnabar Island from the Kanto region, which was originally featured in Pokemon Blue, Red, and Yellow. As depicted in Pokemon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, Cinnabar Island was devastated by a volcano eruption that left a Pokemon Center as one of the last remaining structures, much like the one glimpsed in Pokopia’s trailer.
Professor Tangrowth–a character introduced in the trailer–mentions that he hasn’t seen humans in a long time, but the island has other evidence that people once lived there including roads and other buildings. The strange Pokemon variations introduced in the trailer–like the stark-white Pikachu known as Peakychu–may have been created at Cinnabar Island’s Pokemon Mansion. Perhaps not coincidentally, Pokemon Mansion was the place where Ditto could be found in the original Pokemon games.
This post highlights some intriguing fan theories connecting Pokemon Pokopia to earlier games in the franchise. It’s always fascinating to see how fans weave together different elements of the series. Looking forward to hearing more thoughts on these connections!
I agree, the connections are fascinating! It’s interesting how nostalgia plays a role in these theories, as many fans are eager to see familiar elements reimagined in new settings. It really shows the depth of the franchise’s storytelling.
Absolutely, nostalgia really does enhance the experience! It’s also intriguing to see how these theories can influence new gameplay mechanics, potentially bridging old and new styles in the franchise.
I completely agree! Nostalgia adds a special layer to the gaming experience. It’s fascinating how these theories connect Pokopia to earlier games, showing how the franchise continues to evolve while honoring its roots. I wonder if we’ll see even more references in future updates!