Pokémon Pokopia will be released on March 4, 2026 on the future Nintendo Switch 2, and already promises to shake up fans’ habits. During an interview with IGN, director Takuto Edagawa spoke about the lifespan of the game, estimated between 20 and 40 hoursbut with a twist: the objective, according to him, is to “don’t let the end credits roll”.
This intriguing sentence sums up the studio’s entire ambition: to make Pokopia an open world in which the player voluntarily gets lost, exploring at their own pace, without trying to rush the end.
Hidden content after the credits
More than a simple Pokémon RPG, Pokopia seems to rely on an extended narrative model. Edagawa insists: the players will have “even more things to discover after the end credits”. Although no precise details have been given on the nature of these surprises, the intention is clear: extend the interest well beyond the main plot. This could take the form of new side quests, exclusive Pokémon or previously inaccessible areas. A design choice reminiscent of certain recent Nintendo titles focusing on post-end replayability.
A post-apocalyptic world for Pikachu?
Another fascinating element: several convergent leaks suggest that Pokémon Pokopia would take place in a post-apocalyptic universe. A context radically different from that of previous generations, suggesting a world rebuilt after a catastrophe. This would explain the new forms of Pikachu and Snorlax, very different from their usual appearances. This orientation would offer a wealth of exploration rarely seen in the saga, between technological ruins, desert areas, and deeper interactions with Pokémon. All in a style that could be closer to Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The Switch 2 in the crosshairs
Pokémon Pokopia will accompany the launch of the Switch2Nintendo’s next console expected in March. If the game will be compatible with the original Switch, the developers have confirmed that the full experience will only be possible on the Switch 2due to technical constraints. It is therefore a generational transition title, designed to appeal to both veterans and new players. With a rich world, post-credits surprises and a new narrative framework, Pokopia promises to be the most daring episode of the license in a long time.