Part 1 of the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass, titled Bubbly Basin, launches on August 5, 2026, for the Nintendo Switch 2. The paid DLC introduces an underwater town, aquatic furniture, and new Water-type Pokémon, accompanied by a free Ver. 2.0.0 software update adding the Dive move.
The cozy island-building simulation Pokémon Pokopia is heading beneath the ocean surface. Following a promotional video leak that circulated online, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company officially confirmed release details for the game’s upcoming downloadable content. The post-apocalyptic building game, which has sold over four million units since its launch as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, is expanding its scope with a three-part paid expansion pass alongside a substantial free software update.
Publisher The Pokémon Company and developers Game Freak and Koei Tecmo have announced the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass, a three-part paid downloadable content that provides additional content for the cozy life simulation game.
Bubbly Basin and the August 5 Release Date
Bubbly Basin and the August 5 Release Date
The first wave of paid downloadable content, Bubbly Basin, arrives on August 5, 2026. This submerged expansion adds an entirely new underwater town where players can establish structures, cultivate watermelons using Water-specialty Pokémon, and power streetlights or bubble machines with Generate-specialty Pokémon. The area also introduces ocean-floor-themed furniture, fresh outfits for Ditto, and new aquatic Pokémon arrivals including Mudkip, Popplio, Corphish, Crawdaunt, Staryu, Starmie, and Sharpedo.
Accessing the new aquatic territory requires preparation in the base game. Players must complete the request ‘Raise the environment level!’ in Bleak Beach and learn the newly added move Dive. While the expansion pass is priced at £29.99 or $34.99 on the Nintendo eShop, the Dive move itself is delivered through the Version 2.0 free software update, which becomes available to all owners on the same day.
Expansion Pass Pricing and Bundle Options
Expansion Pass Pricing and Bundle Options
The single purchase price of $34.99 grants access to all three waves of the Expansion Pass as they release across 2026 and 2027. Newcomers who do not yet own the base game can purchase a combined hardware-software bundle containing both the base game and the expansion pass for $104.99 USD.
Early buyers also unlock promotional items. Purchasing the pass grants an in-game recipe for dynamic Ditto print blocks and wallpaper. Additionally, players who buy the expansion pass by Tuesday, August 31, 2027, receive a code via the email address registered to their Nintendo Account, redeemable through the in-game Mystery Gifts feature for 30 rare Pokémetal ingots.
What Lies Ahead in Part 2 and Part 3
What Lies Ahead in Part 2 and Part 3
Nintendo’s release roadmap outlines two subsequent content drops following the August debut. Part 2 is scheduled to drop in late 2026, focusing on custom accessories—such as ties, wings, and hats—an issue where a leak from earlier in 2026 revealed that the DLC will add cosmetic accessories like ties, wings, and hats, alongside additional furniture pieces and character encounters, though it will not introduce a brand-new town. Part 3 is planned for 2027 and will introduce another new town to explore and rebuild.
The timing has also sparked speculation among fans tracking the broader franchise. With both Pokémon Pokopia and the upcoming mainline title Pokémon Winds and Waves featuring underwater exploration, players have already begun theorizing about potential lore connections spanning two decades between the projects.
Let’s get this place HUMID! Bulbasaur, via Eurogamer
Technical Requirements and Prerequisites
Technical Requirements and Prerequisites
Before diving into the new maritime region, players need to ensure their software is fully updated. The full version of Pokémon Pokopia is required to use the DLC, and the Ver. 2.0.0 free software update must be applied before accessing Bubbly Basin.
Worth a look
