Pokémon Pokopia Demo Drops Early, But Only For Some Fans

Pokémon Pokopia is the upcoming spin-off Pokémon game, set to release 5 March, 2026.

As our resident Animal Crossing and Pokémon megafan, this game was tailor-made for me, and it seems like cosy gamers across the world are in agreement.

In Pokémon Pokopia, you play as a Ditto, not a Trainer. You’ll mooch around the world, collecting berries, rocks and wood to create homes for Pokémon you meet, and more. It's cosy, it's cute, it's full of character.

I can’t wait to get my hands on it!

Turns out, I’ll be able to a lot sooner than I thought - there’s a free demo of the game 13 -15 February, a few weeks before release.

But unfortunately, there’s a catch. There always is.

How to Play Pokémon Pokopia Demo

Nintendo UK has announced on X/Twitter that Pokémon Pokopia will be playable at the 2026 Pokémon Europe International Championships in London.

Attendees can be among the first in the world to try out Pokémon Pokopia with an event demo ahead of its 5 March launch!

I love competitive Pokémon, but I couldn’t get my hands on a Competitor Pass this year. Last year, I was front row for the Wolfe Glicke vs Dylan Yeoman’s showdown in 2025, but this year I’ll be cheering on the competitors from the comfort of my sofa. This news has got me regretting that choice though!

Instead, I’m waiting for Pokémon Champions - the upcoming mobile and Nintendo Switch game that’s focused around battling, that’s set to redefine the competitive scene.

On Pokémon Pokopia, content creator Nintentalk spotted these new Pokopia screenshots, suggesting we’ll be able to make our own buildings in the game.

It’s been confirmed we can build our own buildings and with friends in Co-op, but I’m hoping we have that level of customizability in the single-player too.

A town full of Silph Co skyscrapers against an apocalyptic backdrop is the type of Pokemon game I would’ve thought was the coolest thing ever when I was 12. I’m 28 now, and I still think it rocks.

The building system is really interesting to me. It includes furniture crafting, home construction, garden development, and landscape modification, with a lot of customisation with different materials and styles.

There’s also a resource management element to it - I’ve had my practice managing my bag full of Repels and Potions through Mt Moon.

Sign me up, I’m ready.

You can play Pokémon Pokopia when it launches on 5 March, exclusive for Nintendo Switch 2.