Pokemon Pokopia hasn't given me a reason to pre-order, but it's nothing new for the series.

It won't be much longer than the first one Pokemon An exclusive game comes out for the Switch 2 console, and that's upcoming Pokemon PokopiaIt is scheduled to be released on March 5 this year. Pokemon Pokopia As such is more of a casual game Animal Crossing and Stardew ValleyRather than something similar Pokemon The series has yet to offer, but it's still a refreshing and exciting take on the monster-collecting universe that can even spark new lore discussions with its setting and unique appearances for Snorlax or Pikachu. Like, if you already like the genre, or you're just switching from the usual formula, Pokemon Pokopia The next best thing to you might be, you'll want to pre-order it.

If I'm being honest, I can't even remember a time when I didn't pre-order Pokemon Games, not least when I started buying them with my own money rather than getting them as gifts when I was a kid. I love the series above all other video games I've played, so it's always a matter of when for me. I'm sure I'll be pre-ordering next month PokopiaEven if it doesn't give me any reason to do it. At the same time, it's not what I had high expectations for after all the pre-order bonuses from the mainline series.

related to

Pokemon reveals new Pikachu and Snorlax forms

Pokemon recently revealed new skins for Pikachu and Snorlax, giving the beloved creatures more adorable designs for fans.

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

Since Gen 7, Pokemon Games tended to have a consistent pattern of early purchase bonuses and pre-order bonuses that varied with each game, and these were offered on top of any potential retailer-specific bonuses you might find, be it at Walmart, Amazon, or other retailers. And as much as I love free, I can't turn it down Pokemon It's always been pretty stingy with its early purchase and pre-order bonuses, and Switch 2 exclusives. Pokopia No exception, providing only two decorative items at best.

History of Pokemon Early Purchase and Pre-Order Bonuses

Why Pokemon Pokopia's Pre-Order Bonuses Are Disappointing

If 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 transferred via online redemption or an in-game code. Pokemon Pokopia There are two depending on where you purchase your copy, and they are:

• A Ditto Rug Home Decor (Initial Purchase)

• A flat leaf plant home decor (pre-order bonus at Amazon.com)

If you're already depressed, trust me, you're not alone. More importantly, it's not like it's new, either, as the series has a history of offering subpar bonuses for pre-orders. These are:

• Pokemon Legends: ZA Mega Dimension DLC

  • A set of two cosmetic outfits and special poke balls

• Pokemon Legends: ZA

• Pokemon Scarlet and Purple (Indigo Disc)

• Pokemon Scarlet and Purple (Teal Mask)

• Pokemon Scarlet and Purple

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

• Pokemon Legends: Arceus

  • Beneful Fox Mask Cosmetic (Early Purchase Bonus)

  • Hisuian Growlithe Kimono Set (Early Purchase Bonus)

  • 30x Heavy Balls (Pre-Order Bonus)

• Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shiny Pearl

  • Manaphy Egg (Early Purchase Bonus)

  • 12x Quick Ball (Initial Purchase Bonus)

  • 200x Poke Ball (Pre-Order Bonus, Exclusive for Double Pack)

• Pokemon Sword and Shield (Expansion Pass)

  • Pikachu uniform and Eevee uniform

  • Leon's hat and tights

• Pokemon Sword and Shield

These are the most recent early purchase and pre-order bonuses in the series, and exclude the Manafi Egg Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shiny PearlThey are often much worse. Pre-order bonus for Pokemon Scarlet and Purple It's probably one of the worst and most offensive, and all of the Pokemon that give out are easily obtainable in the game anyway.

So, I didn't expect it Pokemon Pokopia To have the best pre-order bonuses around, but I didn't expect one of them to be a very basic plant in a very basic pot. since Pokemon Pokopia'Co Ditto is front and center, I understand the Ditto rug, and it's actually cute, but there's nothing really groundbreaking here. I think the Pokemon Company knows this, especially since fans are always vocal about how disappointing these giveaways are.

Yes, they're “free” if you preorder, but you couldn't convince me that torture potions, antidotes, and revives, or even some basic poke balls, are good preorder bonuses. Again, expectations were already low, but I can't help but wonder if it leaked Pokemon Wind and Wave There will also be funny gifts in store for players. I think, in the case of PokopiaThings are disappointing for many fans because this is a Switch 2 exclusive, and the console is still very expensive, so a nice gift was seen as a gesture of goodwill. We'll have to wait and see if the series fixes this weak part of the process in the future, but for now, I'm not impressed. Still, I'm not surprised either.

systems

issued

March 5, 2026

ESRB

Everyone / users interaction, in-game purchases

•