As it turns out, using the “cosy fun” move is super effective. Four months after its global release, Pokémon Pokopia has sold over five million copies, just in time to celebrate the recent release of its first expansion, Bubbly Basin.
The milestone is no small feat, as the spin-off is now the second best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch 2 so far, pulling ahead of Donkey Kong Bananza (4.25 million). Unsurprisingly, Mario Kart World remains firmly in the lead with over 15 million units, so it’ll take a while to catch up, if ever.
It’s been a wild ride for Pokémon Pokopia, which was co-developed by Koei Tecmo, Game Freak, and The Pokémon Company. Marking a departure from the franchise’s turn-based gameplay, there are several achievements to its name, including becoming the fastest-selling Pokémon spin-off in recent years and scoring a franchise-high of 89 on Metacritic. The story follows a human-form Ditto, as they befriend new critters and use their abilities to rebuild a desolate island, while collecting resources for crafting, growing crops, building furniture, and creating homes for various companions along the way.
The first of a three-part DLC, Bubbly Basin introduces the titular underwater region that players can access after learning the Dive move from Manaphy. It was released alongside the free 2.0 update and won’t be available separately, with Part 2 due to bow in later this year with new accessories. Part 3 will add another town when it launches sometime in 2027.
Also targeting to roll out within the same year is Pokémon Winds and Waves, the next mainline title featuring the 10th-generation starter trio of Grass-type bird Browt, Fire-type pomeranian Pombon, and Gecqua, a Water-type, doe-eyed gecko. Like Pokémon Pokopia, it will be a Switch 2 exclusive.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
Yonk
