Released in March 2026, *Poko a Pokémon* is the first “slow-life” sandbox game in the Pokémon series.
The *Poko a Pokémon Expansion Pass* —paid additional content designed to extend the game’s playtime—and free updates were announced during the recent “Nintendo Direct 2026.6.9” broadcast.
We got an early look at the “Poko a Pokémon Expansion Pass,” so here’s our early review!
"Poko a Pokémon Expansion Pass" Early Review!
The Nintendo Switch 2 title *Poko a Pokémon* is the first Pokémon slow-life sandbox game.
The protagonist—a Ditto that has transformed into a human —creates “habitats” that Pokémon enjoy, encounters new Pokémon, fulfills their requests to improve their quality of life, and develops the town.
What You Can Do with the Free Update (ver. 2.0.0)
In the free update (ver. 2.0.0), you can meet Manaphy in “Gloomy Seaside Town” and have it learn the move “ Dive.”
Using Dive allows you to explore underwater areas that were previously inaccessible.
You can also take any Pokémon that can swim from land into the water.
Underwater, you can also use moves like “Leaf Blade ” and “Slash ” (except for “Cutter”).
Believe it or not, you can even use “Plowing”!
You can grow existing seeds, such as beans and tomatoes, underwater.
While diving and enjoying the ocean, you might spot something swirling around.
This is a new feature called “ Underwater Vortex,” which is similar to “Sparkles on the Water’s Surface.” If you investigate it, you can randomly obtain items or recipes.
Additionally, to help prevent motion sickness, you can now set the center marker to display a “cross” or “dot,” and the border to display a “square” or “bracket.”
While underwater adventures offer a high degree of freedom and are a lot of fun, players prone to motion sickness may want to exercise caution.
Be sure to take regular breaks so you can enjoy your PokoPoke life to the fullest!
Experience the first installment of the “Poko a Pokémon Expansion Pass,” “The Bubbling Underwater Town”!
" Bubbling Underwater Town," featured in the first installment of the paid expansion content "Poko a Pokémon Expansion Pass," is an underwater town you can explore using the " Dive " move.
Ditto is guided by Ashimari, who asks Ditto to help turn the town into a place where all the sparkling and shimmering creatures would want to live.
If you create the habitat “Grassy Area on a Sandy Seabed” on the seabed…
" Heigani " appears!
You can encounter new underwater Pokémon that haven’t appeared before.
On the ocean floor, you can use “Floating Blocks” to build structures that float underwater.
The new structure, “SharkheadUnderwaterHabitat,” allows you to live alongside your Pokémon.
New items— “Sea Grapes ” and “Watermelon” —have also been introduced.
Drinking a “Smoothie”—which you can make using the “Blender” item obtained in “Bubbling Underwater Town”—will power up the “Surf” move.
In addition to being able to swim faster underwater in Lapras’s form, you’ll also be able to break blocks with the “Whirlpool” move.
As you venture further down, you’ll reach the pitch-black depths of the ocean.
You won’t be able to see a thing like this...
Placing a " Lantern " will illuminate the surrounding area.
Since we’ve also come across requests asking you to find items in this darkness, it’s a good idea to stock up on plenty of "Lanterns" before setting out on your adventure.
...That said, the story I experienced this time is just a small part of the early game.
In the full version, new encounters with even more Pokémon await.
"Poko a Pokémon Expansion Pass" Part 1, "The Town at the Bottom of the Bubbling Sea," will be released on Wednesday, August 5, 2026!
Part 2 is scheduled for release in winter 2026, and Part 3 is scheduled for release in 2027.
| Title Overview | |
|---|---|
| Title | Poko a Pokémon Expansion Pass |
| Release Date | Wednesday, June 10, 2026 |
| Release Date | "Drool-Filled Pattern" Available Wednesday, June 10, 2026 Part 1: "The Bubbling Town at the Bottom of the Sea" Scheduled for release on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 Part 2: Scheduled for release in Winter 2026 Part 3: Scheduled for release in 2027 |
| Suggested Retail Price | 4,400 yen (tax included) |
| Genre | Slow-Life Sandbox |
| Distribution Format | Add-on Content (Download Version) |
| Supported Languages | Japanese, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean *Even when playing on the Nintendo Switch 2 Japanese/Domestic-Only Model, you can select your language within the game. *The "Spanish" language supported by this software is "European Spanish." |
| CERO | A |
| Planning and Development | The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, Inc., Koei Tecmo Games, Inc. |
| Publisher and Distributor | The Pokémon Company |
New “Poko a Pokémon” merchandise is here!
In addition, new “Poko a Pokémon” merchandise is now available at Pokémon Centers.
Items on sale include square pouches featuring the blocks from the game and a Pikachu (light-colored) plush.
*Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual products may differ in color and design.
Merchandise available at all Pokémon Center locations and Pokémon Center Online
- Poko a Pokémon Pikachu Keychain (Light Color): 1,540 yen (tax included)
A Pikachu (Light Color) keychain plush with a carabiner and an adorable tail.
- Poko-A Pokémon Metamon Plush Hat (Metamon Color): 3,300 yen (tax included)
- Plush Toy Poko A Pokémon Metamon Cap (Metamon Color): 3,300 yen (tax included)
The cap comes with a cute Metamon tag!
The lineup also includes two types of Metamon plush toys that have transformed into human form!
- Square Pouch with Carabiner - Poko A Pokémon Metamon: 1,980 yen (tax included)
- Square Pouch with Carabiner "Poko a Pokémon" Metamon (Lapras Transformation): 1,980 yen (tax included)
- Poko A Pokémon Square Pouch with Carabiner: Ditto (Dragonite Transformation): 1,980 yen (tax included)
- Square Pouch with Carabiner - Poko A Pokémon Snorlax (Mossy): 1,980 yen (tax included)
- Square Pouch with Carabiner - Poko A Pokémon Pikachu (Light Color): 1,980 yen (tax included)
- Square Pouch with Carabiner - Poko A Pokémon - Yokubaris (Chef): 1,980 yen (tax included)
- Square Pouch with Carabiner - Poko A Pokémon Rotom (Stereo Rotom): 1,980 yen (tax included)
Square pouches featuring block motifs from “Poko A Pokémon.”
The top features designs of Pokémon from the game.
- Masking Tape: Poko a Pokémon Metamon: 550 yen (tax included)
- Masking Tape: Poko a Pokémon Ditto & Fuwante: 550 yen (tax included)
Two types of masking tape featuring Ditto and Fuwante.
- Puni-Puni Stickers Poko A Pokémon Ditto Hat: 440 yen (tax included)
- Puni-Puni Stickers Poko A Pokémon Ditto Cap: 440 yen (tax included)
- Puni-Puni Stickers: Poko A Pokémon Metamon (Lapras Transformation): 440 yen (tax included)
- Puni-Puni Sticker Poko A Pokémon Ditto (Golem Transformation): 440 yen (tax included)
- Puni Puni Sticker Poko A Pokémon Ditto (Dragonite Transformation): 440 yen (tax included)
- Puni Puni Sticker Poko A Pokémon Metamon (Coil Transformation): 440 yen (tax included)
- Puni Puni Sticker Poko A Pokémon Snorlax (Mossy): 440 yen (tax included)
- Puni Puni Sticker Poko A Pokémon Pikachu (Light Color): 440 yen (tax included)
- Puni Puni Stickers Poko A Pokémon Yokubaris (Chef): 440 yen (tax included)
- Puni Puni Sticker Poko A Pokémon Rotom (Stereo Rotom): 440 yen (tax included)
10 types of Puni-Puni Stickers featuring Ditto and Pokémon with slightly unusual appearances.
Please check the Pokémon Official Website for details on each product.