Pokemon Pokopia Hasn’t Given Me a Reason to Pre-Order, But That’s Nothing New For the Series

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The first Pokemon game designed specifically for the Switch 2 is coming soon – Pokemon Pokopia, set to launch on March 5th. Unlike previous Pokemon games, Pokopia is a more relaxed and cozy experience, similar to Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley. It offers a fresh perspective on the Pokemon world, with a new setting and even different versions of familiar characters like Snorlax and Pikachu, which could lead to exciting new stories and theories. If you enjoy the genre or are looking for something different, Pokemon Pokopia might be exactly what you’re looking for – it could be worth pre-ordering!

Honestly, I’ve been pre-ordering Pokemon games for as long as I can remember – ever since I started buying them myself, that is. I’m a huge fan, it’s more a matter of when I’ll pre-order a new game, not if. I’m already planning to pre-order Pokopia next month, even though I don’t really need to. To be fair, I’m not expecting amazing pre-order bonuses like we used to get with the main series games anymore.

Pokemon’s Tradition of Bad Pre-Order Bonuses Continues in Pokopia

Starting with the seventh generation of Pokémon games, each new release has included pre-order and early purchase bonuses, often with different rewards depending on the retailer like Walmart or Amazon. While I appreciate getting free items, Pokémon games haven’t historically offered much in these bonuses, and the upcoming Switch 2 exclusive, Pokopia, continues that trend, offering only a couple of decorative items as a bonus.

A History of Pokemon Early Purchase and Pre-Order Bonuses

Why Pokemon Pokopia’s Pre-Order Bonuses Are Disappointing

Just so you know, there are rewards for buying the game early, usually available for a few months after release. Pre-order bonuses are generally received as codes you can redeem online or in the game. Pokemon Pokopia offers both types of bonuses, and here’s what they are, depending on where you buy the game:

  • A Ditto rug house decoration (early purchase)
  • A flat leaf plant house decoration (pre-order bonus on Amazon.com)

A bonus item called the ‘flat leaf plant’ became a social media sensation, but not in a good way. Players jokingly criticized it online, with one Twitter user, @KirbyCheatFurby, calling it the worst pre-order bonus they’d ever received.

It’s understandable if you’re feeling let down – many others are too. Unfortunately, this isn’t a surprise, as the game has a pattern of offering disappointing bonuses for pre-orders. Here’s what those bonuses are:

  • Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension DLC
    • Two cosmetic outfits and a set of special Poke Balls
  • Pokemon Legends: Z-A
    • A Mystery Gift Ralts holding a Gardevoirite stone
  • Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (Indigo Disk)
    • SV Uniform cosmetic sets
  • Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (Teal Mask)
    • Hisuian Zoroark
  • Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
    • 10x Potion, 10x Antidote, 3x Revive
  • Pokemon Legends: Arceus
    • Baneful Fox Mask cosmetic (early purchase bonus)
    • Hisuian Growlithe Kimono Set (early purchase bonus)
    • 30x Heavy Balls (pre-order bonus)
  • Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
    • Manaphy egg (early purchase bonus)
    • 12x Quick Ball (early purchase bonus)
    • 200x Poke Ball (pre-order bonus, exclusive to the Double Pack)
  • Pokemon Sword and Shield (Expansion Pass)
    • Pikachu Uniform and Eevee Uniform
    • Leon’s Cap and Tights
  • Pokemon Sword and Shield
    • Gigantamax Meowth

Recent bonuses for buying Pokémon games early or pre-ordering have generally been disappointing. While the Manaphy egg offered with Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl was a decent perk, most others have been poor. The bonus for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is particularly frustrating, and any Pokémon offered as a bonus can usually be found and caught within the game itself.

I wasn’t expecting much from the pre-order bonuses for Pokemon Pokopia, but I was surprised to see one of them was just a simple potted plant. While the Ditto rug makes sense given Ditto’s prominent role in the game and is actually pretty cute, none of the bonuses are particularly exciting. It seems like The Pokemon Company is aware that these kinds of gifts often disappoint fans.

This is sad also because Pokopia is expensive compared to other Pokemon games.

While pre-ordering gets you some ‘free’ items, things like potions and basic Poké Balls aren’t very exciting bonuses. It makes me worry that the upcoming Pokémon Wind and Wave might have similarly uninspired gifts. Many fans are particularly disappointed with Pokopia because it’s only for the new, expensive Switch 2 console, and a more generous pre-order bonus would have been a nice gesture. Hopefully, the series will improve these kinds of promotions in the future, but for now, I’m not impressed – though, honestly, I wasn’t expecting much.

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2026-02-01 07:05