Pokemon Animal Crossing-Like Gets Release Date

Nintendo has just officially announced the release date for Pokemon Pokopia, the Animal Crossing-like life sim that will see players become a human-shaped Ditto and enlist the help of fellow Pokemon to build the titular Pokemon paradise. Pokemon Pokopia was announced during the September 2025 Nintendo Direct, where it was initially given a general release window of 2026.

Pokemon Pokopia‘s reveal trailer also confirmed that the spinoff is being developed by Koei Tecmo in partnership with Game Freak and The Pokemon Company. This marks the first time the gaming giants have worked closely with one another since 2012’s Pokemon Conquest, a Nintendo DS-exclusive crossover between the Pokemon and Nobunaga’s Ambition franchises.

Pokemon Pokopia Is Officially Releasing in March 2026

On November 11, the Nintendo of America X account officially confirmed that Pokemon Pokopia is set to release on March 5, 2026, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Just 10 minutes prior to the official announcement, news outlet Gematsu confirmed on Bluesky that a new trailer for Pokemon Pokopia is set to premiere on YouTube at 6amPT/9amET on November 13. Gematsu also stated that physical pre-orders for the game are set to open on November 13 in Japan, and that digital pre-orders for Pokemon Pokopia will go live on November 12.

2026 marks the Pokemon franchise’s 30th anniversary, and fans are expecting The Pokemon Company to go all out to mark the occasion. Pokemon Pokopia will likely be just one slice of the birthday cake. Pokemon Champions, the multiplayer battle-focused spinoff, is also set to release in 2026. And given that a Pokemon Presents showcase has taken place every February since 2021, fans are expecting another in 2026, and they’re expecting it to be filled with big news, such as the long-awaited Pokemon Gen 10 reveal.

On top of kicking off a presumably big year for Pokemon, Pokemon Pokopia‘s March release also cements early 2026 as a very busy period for video game releases. February 2026 is bringing Nioh 3 and Resident Evil Requiem, while March 2026 will see the release of Slay the Spire 2 (early access), Monster Hunter Stories 3, Crimson Desert, Mouse P.I. For Hire, Saros, and 007 First Light. Pokemon Pokopia is now set to launch between Resident Evil Requiem and Monster Hunter Stories 3, which, despite the popularity of those franchises, should give it plenty of room to breathe given its focus on cozy life sim gameplay.

Systems

Released

March 5, 2026

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

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