(Image courtesy of Nintendo of America. “‘Pokopia’ introduces a new and fresh take on the Pokemon franchise”)
Rosalie Pineda
Connector Staff
The new Pokémon spin-off game, “Pokémon Pokopia,” has become an overnight sensation. Released on March 5, it made an astonishing splash in the gaming sphere. As reviews poured in from critics and players alike, it quickly shot up the ranks to become the highest rated Pokémon game of all time. Not only that; many say that it could be a possible Game of the Year contender.
But does it deserve the praise? What about it has captivated so many players?
“Pokopia” advertises itself as a cozy life-sim game. Players control a Ditto who runs around as a Pokémon trainer. This trainer can be customized in a variety of ways, but they still show all the signs of a charming, if somewhat derpy Ditto transformation, complete with that smiling face.
As a Ditto, players can explore a vast world in desperate need of restoration. After a disaster has made conditions nearly impossible for life to thrive, it’s up to Ditto and their friends to bring nature back to the land.
Throughout the course of the story, Ditto acquires moves that make their tasks easier, such as water gun and leafage. New Pokémon can be encountered and befriended when restoring lost habitats. Players will eventually have the ability to build large, elaborate homes for their Pokémon friends. Simultaneously, they will uncover what happened to the land, the Pokémon, and the trainers that cared for them.
In terms of gameplay, much of it involves running around, fulfilling requests, crafting materials, building homes, terrascaping and exploration. It seems to have taken inspiration from the best parts of other life-sim games such as “Minecraft,” “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” and “Stardew Valley.” The aspect about communicating with Pokémon as NPCs is also reminiscent of games like the “PokéPark” and “Mystery Dungeon” series.
At the same time, the improved quality of life is immediately apparent, especially when compared to “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” It’s possible to craft multiple items at once, for one thing. The game also uses real time, but players can easily change the time on the Switch 2 clock for efficiency.
Co-op is also available (only available with a Nintendo Switch Online Membership); Dittos can travel to other worlds to see what they’ve built. The sight of multiple Ditto trainers running around is exceedingly charming, but it would be nicer if co-op was more accessible to players who don’t have a subscription to their online services.
The controls are intuitive, and the sound design and graphics are also satisfying. Some builds take time to complete, which encourages players to take breaks or explore one of the many other features the game has to offer.
Before Pokopia’s release, there had been some buzz over its distribution several months before. Nintendo announced that it would be the first game on the Nintendo Switch 2 to be available only through digital download or as a game key card, with mixed reception. While the public can only speculate why Nintendo chose this game to debut as a game key card, it can be inferred that Nintendo underestimated the sales this game would have, given how multiple stores had sold out of key cards.
One criticism of the Switch 2 overall was the lack of flagship games upon its release. While it boasted console-exclusive titles like “Mario Kart World” and “Pokémon: Legends Z-A,” many gamers weren’t motivated to buy it on release, especially with the $450 price tag.
Now, however, there’s been a surge of Switch 2 sales due to people wanting to check out “Pokopia.” Is it worth spending an extra $450 to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 just to play the game? That’s up to the individual to decide.
One thing is for sure: “Pokopia” has become a surprise flagship game of the Switch 2, not just through sales, but pure enjoyment value.
This can promise a bright future not just for Nintendo, but the Pokémon franchise as a whole, if all the right lessons are taken. With “Pokémon: Winds and Waves” just recently announced for 2027, Game Freak has time to learn from “Pokopia’s” success and deliver a successful mainline game.
“Pokopia” is an extremely refreshing addition to the Pokémon franchise. On top of it all, it tells a genuinely moving story, highlighting themes of community and environmentalism. Despite the cheerful, cute aesthetic, a sense of loss constantly permeates the environment.
Though humans have disappeared, their presence has not. The land is scattered with familiar, dilapidated buildings, which hits especially hard for Pokémon veterans, as well as scattered journals brimming with characterization.
As the land gets slowly restored due to Ditto’s and other’s efforts, something stirs in the heart. There’s much to take away from a story about rebuilding in the throes of disaster. So, like “Pokopia” itself, perhaps the Pokémon franchise is on the brink of revitalization.
Grade: A
