Pokemon Pokopia didn't give me a reason to pre-order, but that's nothing new for the series

It won't take long for the first one Pokemon the game will be released exclusively for the Switch 2 console, and that's coming Pokemon Pokopiawhich is scheduled for release on March 5 of this year. Pokemon Pokopia it's more like a cozy game Animal Crossing and Stardew Valleyrather than something akin to what Pokemon series has had a lot to offer so far, but it's still a refreshing and exciting take on the monster-collecting universe that might even spark new lore discussions thanks to its setting and unique forms for Snorlax or Pikachu. So if you already like the genre or are looking for a departure from the usual formula, Pokemon Pokopia might be the next best thing to you, to the point where you'll want to pre-order it.

To be honest, I can't even remember a time when I didn't pre-order Pokemon games, at least not when I started buying them with my own money rather than getting them as gifts when I was a kid. I love the series more than any other video game I've ever played, so for me it's always a matter of when rather than if. I'm sure I'll be pre-ordering next month Popopiaalthough that doesn't really give me a reason to do it. At the same time, it's not like I have high expectations for the main line after all the pre-order bonuses.

Related

Pokemon reveals new forms of Pikachu and Snorlax

Pokemon just revealed new forms for Pikachu and Snorlax, giving the beloved creatures an even more adorable design for fans to gush over.

Pokemon's tradition of bad pre-order bonuses continues in Pokopia

Since Gen 7, Pokemon games began to have a consistent pattern of early purchase bonuses and pre-order bonuses that differed from game to game, and these were offered on top of any potential exclusive retailer bonuses you could find, be it Walmart, Amazon, or other retailers. And as much as I like freebies, I can't deny that Pokemon has almost always been stingy with its early buy and pre-order bonuses and Switch 2 exclusivity Popopia is no exception, offering at best only two decorative items.

History of Pokemon early purchase and pre-order bonuses

Why Pokemon Pokopia Pre-Order Bonuses Are Disappointing

In case you don't know, early purchase bonuses are available to all players until a certain date, which is usually a few months after the game's release, while pre-order bonuses are usually given through an online purchase or in-game code. Pokemon Pokopia it has both, depending on where you buy your copy, and they are:

• Ditto Carpet Decoration (Early Purchase)

• Flat Leaf Plant Decorations (Amazon.com Pre-Order Bonus)

If you're already disappointed, trust me, you're not alone. More importantly, it's nothing new either, as the series has a history of handing out subpar pre-order bonuses. These are:

• Pokemon Legends: ZA Mega Dimension DLC

  • Two cosmetic outfits and a set of special Poke Balls

• Pokemon Legends: ZA

• Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (Indigo Disk)

• Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (Teal Mask)

• Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

  • 10x Potion, 10x Antidote, 3x Revive

• Pokemon Legends: Arceus

  • Baneful Fox Mask Cosmetics (Early Purchase Bonus)

  • Hisuian Growlithe Kimono Set (Early Purchase Bonus)

  • 30x Heavy Balls (pre-order bonus)

• Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Pokemon

  • Manaphy egg (early purchase bonus)

  • 12x Quick Ball (Early Purchase Bonus)

  • 200x Poke Ball (pre-order bonus, exclusive to Double Pack)

• Pokemon Sword and Shield (Expansion Pass)

  • Pikachu uniform and Eevee uniform

  • Leon's cap and stockings

• Pokemon Sword and Shield

These are the latest early buy and pre-order bonuses in the series, excluding the Manaphy egg in Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Pokemonthey were mostly very bad. Pre-order bonus for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is possibly one of the worst and most offensive ever, and all the ones that give out Pokemon are just as easy to get in the game.

As such I did not anticipate Pokemon Pokopia have the best pre-order bonuses around, but I also didn't expect one of them to be a very basic plant in a very simple pot. From Pokemon PokopiaDitto is front and center, I understand the Ditto rug, and it's actually cute, but there's nothing really ground-breaking here. I think The Pokemon Company knows this, especially since fans have always been vocal about how disappointing some of these gifts are.

Yes, they are “free” if you pre-order them, but you failed to convince me under torture that potions, antidotes and revives or some basic poke balls are good pre-order bonuses. Once again, expectations were already low, but I can't help but wonder if it was leaked Pokemon wind and wave will also have ridiculous gifts for players. I think in case Popopiathings are disappointing for many fans as this is a Switch 2 exclusive and the console is still quite expensive so a better gift would be considered a goodwill gesture. We'll have to wait and see if the series improves on this imperfect part of the process in the future, but so far I'm not impressed. Still, I'm not surprised.

Systems

Released

March 5, 2026

ESRB

Interaction between all / users, in-game purchases

•