The first expansion for Pokopia, titled Bubbly Basin, is set to launch on August 5, 2026. While an official global launch time has not been confirmed, the release is expected to follow the standard Nintendo Switch 2 rollout of 9am JST on August 5, which translates to 7pm CT on August 4.
Regional Release Schedule
Depending on your time zone, you may be able to start your underwater exploration on August 4:
- PT: 5pm on Aug. 4
- CT: 7pm on Aug. 4
- ET: 8pm on Aug. 4
- BST: 1am on Aug. 5
- CEST: 2am on Aug. 5
- JST: 9am on Aug. 5
- AEST: 10am on Aug. 5
Paid DLC Features
Bubbly Basin acts as the first of three planned content drops for the game. Purchasing the expansion pass grants access to:
- New Biome: A dedicated underwater region featuring exclusive Pokémon like Mudkip, Popplio, Swampert, Crawdaunt, Marshtomp, Brionne, and others.
- Underwater Mechanics: New building capabilities using Buoyant Blocks, plus the introduction of watermelons as a harvestable crop.
- Utility Additions: New items such as Bubble Machines and smoothies, along with a power-up move for Surf.
Free Base Game Update
Alongside the paid content, all Pokopia players will receive a free update. This includes the new "Dive" ability, which can be learned from Manaphy after completing the "Raise the environment level!" request in Bleak Beach and mastering Surf and jump mechanics. Additionally, base game players will gain limited underwater building capabilities in existing regions.
Looking ahead, a new event titled "Fetching Scales for Feebas" is scheduled to run from August 13 to August 28, offering players an opportunity to unlock exclusive Pokémon and rewards.