A new Pokemon game is out next year for Switch 2, and it looks like a wild spin-off from your typical “gotta-catch-’em-all” experience. Pokemon Pokopia is an open-world game where players build a utopia for wild pocket monsters. The game launches on March 5, 2026. and preoders are available now for $70 at Amazon, Walmart, and several other retailers. Players who preorder the game will also receive an in-game Ditto rug for their Pokopia world.
Pokemon Pokopia (Switch 2)
$70 | Releases March 5, 2026
First revealed in September 2025, Pokemon Pokopia is set in a world where humanity has vanished and looks inspired by games like Minecraft, Animal Crossing, and Dragon Quest Builders. One peculiar Ditto returns to find the land withered, and its only remaining resident is a Tangrowth, known simply as Professor Tangrwoth. Using its transformation powers to pass itself off as a human, the Ditto works to restore the land and inspire other Pokemon to return.
Players won’t just be limited to one island, as the Ditto can transform into a Lapras or Dragonite to reach new locations. Crafting also plays a big role in Pokemon Pokopia, as collected materials can be fashioned into tools and infrastructure to improve buildings and complete quests.
Pokemon Pokopia will be the first Nintendo-published game for Switch 2 to be released as a Game Key Card. This means the physical cartridge will serve as an authentication device, and you’ll still need to download the full game to your console. It is worth noting that Game Key Cards are not tied to your console, so you can resell them in the future if you choose to. The game will take up roughly 10GBs of space–so if you’re planning to buy the game, you’ll want to consider picking up a microSD Express card to increase your storage capacity. Luckily, Amazon currently has a great deal on the Samsung P9 512GB card. Normally $100, this is on sale for $75 while stocks last.
Amazon has also restocked the Switch 2 Mario Kart bundle and is matching Walmart’s deal price of $449 (was $500), in case you’re looking to get a Switch 2 for the festive season. For more Switch 2 deals, you can also check out our buying guide for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond to see the best prices on the highly anticipated game, related merchandise, and Amiibo figures.
Exciting news about the preorder launch for Pokémon Pokopia! It’s great to see a new spin on the beloved Pokémon franchise, especially with a Minecraft twist. Looking forward to seeing how this game unfolds!
Absolutely! It’s exciting to see how Pokémon Pokopia combines elements of Minecraft with the Pokémon universe. The open-world aspect could really allow for creative exploration and unique gameplay experiences. Looking forward to seeing how it all comes together!
I completely agree! The blend of building mechanics from Minecraft with Pokémon’s exploration and creature-catching is a fascinating approach. It will be interesting to see how the crafting system impacts gameplay and player strategies.
That’s a great point! The combination of creative building and Pokémon’s adventure elements could really enhance gameplay. I’m also curious to see how the new crafting system will affect Pokémon training and battles. It seems like there’s a lot of potential for unique strategies!