The Pokémon Company revealed in a press release that the Switch 2-exclusive life sim has surpassed five million copies sold globally, a remarkable feat on its own, but made even more significant when you remember that the game was released only four months ago. For comparison’s sake, Sega’s Sonic Frontiers took way longer to reach that point, and that was after a bunch of updates, a solid expansion and a Nintendo Switch 2 release. Not that this dulls the Blue Blur’s achievement in any way, of course.

The new Bubbly Basin expansion is sure to have contributed to those staggering numbers. However, it’s clear that Pokopia was already well on its way to achieving the latest feather in its cap anyway. We can’t wait to see what the next couple of chapters in the game’s Expansion Pass bring to the table, and how many more copies it can manage to sell when they drop in late 2026 and early 2027.

It’s situated well beneath the surface, requiring you to meet and engage with Manaphy, a DLC-exclusive Pokémon that will teach you a useful trick for breathing underwater so you can reach the titular town from the update with ease. You’re going to want to have a few Water-type Pokémon in tow to help out your efforts to make the town as appealing as the island you’ve already put together, and have tons of fun engaging with a host of activities and new additions in the process.

We’re especially eager to get started on that Submarine that doubles as our base of operations. If you haven’t picked up the DLC, we’ve put together a list of useful information about what it brings to the table. There’s also the launch trailer below to help sway your decision. We’re already sold on the art style’s take on underwater environments and can’t wait to spend a few hours beneath the waves.

If you’ve collected a few water types by now, you’re probably going to like what’s coming next. If not, you might want to make those a priority, for reasons that are coming along as we go further into what’s new with the update and the expansion. Well, the waves beckon, so let’s jump right in for a swim through a bit of underwater fun.

Free Version 2.0.0 Update

1. Ditto’s Diving Lesson

Ditto gets the ability to swim and even go underwater for as long as his breath allows him to remain there, as a part of the free update, with completion of “Raise the environment level” at Bleak Beach and knowledge of jumping and surfing being the only prerequisites. But those peeks under the surface area are just a taste of what truly awaits in the water.

The Expansion Pass adds Manaphy, a Pokémon that can teach Ditto a very nifty way to swim underwater to his heart’s content, with a handy diving ball to summon that makes breathing possible being everything you need to join and water types on adventures into the depths of the water bodies that have remained inaccessible, but are now doorways into more adventures, and more rewards.

2. Only Water-Type Pokémon Can Come Along

It bears repeating that not all Pokémon you’ve collected can join you on your forays into the depths, and keeping a few water types handy in your collection is sure to help you stay afloat once you get into things in the expansion. There’s a lot to do under the surface, and having a few trusted companions at your side is going to make a world of difference.

That’s not to mention that some of those water types are among the most adorable ones there are!

3. Underwater Town Building

Once again, Ditto’s bringing life to previously uninhabited corners of his world, and there’s a whole new town coming to the game as part of the expansion. Of course, it’s up to you to help Ditto bring it back to life, and that’s going to have you exploring the ocean floor to pick up the things you need, plant grass, put up structures, and create underwater towns around them.

The free update allows for underwater building right off the bat, but it’s only with Manaphy that the true depth of the system comes to the surface thanks to…

Paid Expansion Pass Part 1: Bubbly Basin

4. Bubbly Basin

The headliner of the expansion pass’s first instalment is Bubbly Basin, an entirely underwater Town that’s just waiting for you as a part of the free Version 2.0.0 Update. Of course, you’re going to need Dive, which means Bleak Beach should be high on your list of priorities over this weekend if you plan to be among the first ones there.

It’s a massive place, and you’re going to be quite busy swimming through it all once you get started.

5. Farming Melons Underwater

Ditto does have a knack for sniffing out fun, unique things to do no matter where he goes, doesn’t he? Well, your fellow Pokémon are there to help, and cultivating melons is sure to make your time in Bubbly Basin easier. We did see Mudkip and Corsola in the trailer, but those water types are certainly going to work in your favor alongside the new ones you’re likely to find as you explore the depths.

It’s looking like there’s a whole other generator to build underwater, just as you’ve done on land. It’s Pokopia in an entirely new space, and we’re going to be chasing down those buoyant blocks as soon as we get our heads under the water.

6. Pokémon-Powered Machines

One of the ways water types are important to the underwater gameplay loop is their use of the Generate ability to create bubbles that power machines and street lamps. We’ve only been given glimpses from the trailers, but these are all likely to be factors in making your underwater town one that’s as welcoming to new Pokémon as can be.

It’s a new kind of Pokopia, and there are bubbles involved this time around. It’s definitely going to make this one more charming, along with making great use of its art style to bring a whole new biome to life.

7. Deep-Sea Exploration

Of course, setting up a base underwater is only one part of your new adventure, as you’re going to have to find a hole in the sea floor and travel through it with your best Pokémon in tow to follow a glowing coral. Solving that mystery is definitely something we’re making a beeline for when the update drops.

It’s a great way to get familiar with the scenery and the flora and fauna you’re likely to find along your travels as you build out your town. It’s also probably going to bring some useful Pokémon your way, which could give you a solid start as you begin to build your base and develop it.

8. Buoyant Blocks, Floating Buildings

There’s the potential for some truly unique towns under the surface as Buoyant Blocks are what you’re going to be using to build structures. They’re special bricks that float at varying levels underwater, allowing you to build structures that simply float at the level you place them on.

That’s obviously something we couldn’t do on land, and the scope to create a new town with more verticality in the mix is sure to get the more creative ones among you working hard to make some truly unique towns.

9. The Sharpedo Submarine

Any good town you build must have a place for you to put up your feet and call home when you need a break from all your underwater adventuring. Even Ditto’s boundless enthusiasm can run out from time to time. He is mimicking a human, after all. Well, the Sharpedo Submarine is going to be what helps, and building it is probably a good thing to keep track of so you’re always building up to it.

It’s going to make a great place for you to crash, and the game’s promotional materials paint it as a sort of Secret Base with Ditto making it his own with new furniture and the like coming to the game.

10. More Pokémon, New Outfits and Gameplay Items

Of course there are new Pokémon coming into the mix for us to discover and collect, but Ditto’s also getting new outfits to chase down, furniture for his base to look out for, and an upgrade to Surf to pick up. Smoothies are a new prepared food, and we’re expecting a few new recipes to find along the way.

Of course, the trailers haven’t dived too deep into it all yet, and we’re yet to learn the full extent of new content on offer. However, everything we’ve seen so far points to a new world within an already familiar one. Whether it can build synergies with the one above the surface that you’ve already painstakingly built remains to be seen, but we’re sure that there are going to be creative ways to get there.

But for now, it’s time to use the weekend to prepare for a brand new foray into unknown frontiers, with wit, charm, and the ability to imitate the best of the world around us at our side. August 5, 2026, cannot get here fast enough, but we’re going to remind ourselves that patience is a virtue while we wait. We’re quite optimistic about it being worth it, after all.

The update has also introduced new things for players to unlock, like recipes, hair colors, and even emotes. A variety of quality-of-life improvements have also been implemented, such as motion-sickness reduction options and the ability to move while the move wheel is open.

Other improvements made to Pokémon Pokopia include Pokémon now responding to players using emotes they were taught, and moving back into a habitat after their previous one was destroyed in the same area. Ordinary conversation indicators have been reduced so that players can now more easily track special conversations, and lost relics can now be appraised in larger batches of up to 10 at a time. For the full list of changes, check out the patch notes below.

The Bubbly Basin expansion introduces a new town that players can explore, and brings in a host of new building types that players can use in designing their towns. In keeping with its aquatic themes, the expansion has also brought along upgrades to Surf, brand new Pokémon outfits, and a host of smoothie recipes.

Pokémon Pokopia is available exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. For more details, take a look at our review. Since its release, the title has proven to be incredibly popular, and many even started calling it a system seller.

Pokémon Pokopia version 2.0.0 patch notes:

The following features have been added:

• Added the move Dive, allowing players to move freely underwater.
• The Build specialty can now be used to build houses underwater.
• Added new items such as the portal pod and safe.
• Recipes can be purchased after increasing Palette Town’s environment level.
• Added the new pattern, dynamic Ditto print.
• Can be obtained by talking to Smearguru after acquiring the diploma.
• Added new emotes: Lie Down and Ready, Set, Go!
• Can be obtained in Bleak Beach and on Dream Islands.
• Added five new hair colors: orange, light pink, yellow-green, blue-green, and brown.
• Added a function to move items in bulk between the storage box and bag.
• Added a function to delete items placed inside objects such as the garbage bin.
• Added the ability to fine-tune depth placement when placing windows, doors, and similar items.
• Added an option in Settings to hide the confirmation message shown when canceling Magnet Rise.
• Added an option in Settings allowing movement while the move wheel is open.
• Added motion-sickness reduction settings for the camera.
• The following items can now be painted: stylish stool, handrail, metal chain, workbench, vending machine, bike, bookcase, Pokémon Center counter, arrow sign, rope.

The following improvements have been implemented:

• Even if a Pokémon’s habitat is destroyed, it will move back in if the same habitat is rebuilt within a certain area.
• Pokémon that are sad because furniture was removed will now notice more quickly when the same furniture is replaced.
• Pokémon that taught you an emote will now respond with the same emote when you use it.
• If a Pokémon being searched for in the Pokédex is in another town, you can now travel to that town using Return Home.
• Reduced ordinary conversation indicators so that special Pokémon conversations and requests directed at Ditto stand out more clearly.
• Lost relics can now be appraised in batches of up to 10 at a time.
• Paint, Gather Honey, and Collect can now be performed multiple times in the same interaction.
• During crafting, materials in the storage box next to the workbench will be consumed before materials in the bag.
• Increased the placement limit for power generators (excluding furnaces) from 64 to 128.
• Increased the number of different photos that can be displayed in a town from 10 to 40.
• When sucking up liquid, a short press of the move button to hold liquids in Ditto’s mouth will allow liquid to be held in their mouth without removing it from the environment.
• When releasing stored water, adjusted water levels now automatically match nearby water levels.
• Smearguru can now learn patterns from photos stored in References.
• Improved visibility of the target item when painting with paint balloons.
• Increased the amount of treasure discoverable with the Dowsing Machine on Dream Islands.
• Pokémon companions can now follow you while moving with Surf, Glide, Rollout, or Magnet Rise.
• Inhaling items and opening the bag are now possible while rolling using Rollout.
• Rollout can now destroy certain natural objects such as large boulders.
• Surf can now be activated on land by pressing the Surf button while holding the focus button.
• Improved activation conditions for Surf and Waterfall so they occur more smoothly.
• Leafage can now be used on farm soil to revert it to a normal soil block.
• Strength can now be used underwater.
• Added an All tab to both the Pokédex and Habitat Dex.
• Made it clearer that buildings can still be remodeled even when items such as the Ditto Flag are attached to roofs or walls.
• During construction, any Pokémon not assigned to the Build role in a building project can now help with cooking.
• Prevented treasures in Sparkling Skylands from appearing when using the Dowsing Machine in locations where breaking terrain would cause them to fall.
• Improved messaging when there are insufficient materials for copying items using the 3D Printer.
• Items can now be placed on top of square plants.
• Hide-and-sneak can now be canceled midway.
• Adjusted in-game event notifications shown at startup so they are displayed only during specific remaining-day periods.
• Certain roof items now block water.
• Increased output when crafting curved eaves to 10.
• Tidal Bell and Clear Bell can now be triggered using laser sensors and switches.
• Adjusted sound effects for camping chair and sleeping bag.
• Improved performance for certain rendering processes.

The following issues have been fixed:

• When talking to a Pokémon that is currently assigned to construct buildings, options such as “Follow me!” may sometimes fail to appear.
• Suicune and Gholdengo may be unable to travel across water.
• Pokémon may occasionally fall into the ocean or off cliffs when appearing from their habitats.
• Even when using honey, Pokémon may sometimes fail to return to their habitats.
• Using Magnet Rise may occasionally cause Pokémon to scold or warn the player.
• Pokémon that dislike water may sometimes be unable to move across duckweed and flowering duckweed on the water’s surface.
• Requests from Pokémon may occasionally ask for items that the requesting Pokémon actually dislikes.
• When processing berries in the community box, paint may not be produced correctly.
• The timing of the note played by the music mat (high Do) is offset incorrectly.
• Certain furniture can be painted through specific procedures even on parts where the colors are not actually changeable.
• Painting certain items may use more paint than intended.
• The light color of a painted surface light may fail to change correctly.
• Under specific conditions, it is possible to place more than one party cooking pot in the same town.
• Some items may display unnaturally when viewed from a distance.
• For some items, visual effects may disappear when viewed through glass.
• Under certain conditions during multiplayer, building may become impossible to complete or cancel.
• In certain situations, it may be unclear why actions such as building or relocation cannot be performed.
• On Cloud Islands, players other than the administrator may be able to place a relocation kit.
• Under certain conditions, a building kit may become unrecoverable when remodeling a house.
• Under certain conditions, painted portions of the sand house may be reset.
• Using Rock Smash while falling may cause Ditto’s position or height to become significantly displaced.
• During the Withered Wasteland request “Clear the path!” Slowpoke may stop moving partway through.
• During the Sparkling Skylands request “Follow Tinkmaster!” certain actions may prevent the request from progressing.
• During the Sparkling Skylands request “Pokémon Center tour guide!” searching for Tinkmaster in the Pokédex may guide the player to the town containing their habitat rather than the town where they are currently located.
• Loading may occasionally fail to finish when returning from a Dream Island.
• Returning from a Dream Island may incorrectly send the player to Palette Town.
• Under certain conditions when an online session ends, the player may be transported to a Dream Island.
• On the Cloud Island loading screen, the player’s gender pronoun may sometimes be displayed incorrectly in some languages.

While the entire series is available to experience, you can expect rebuilt cutscenes and new “story developments” which involve fighting the Nine Titans. Omni-Directional Mobility Action is apparently more flexible (with the option for simple controls), but the Titans will be less predictable, making for more engaging battles. And if that wasn’t enough, you can take on Special Exterior missions to battle alongside other squadmates in the wild.

Besides the Standard Edition, there’s also a Digital Deluxe Edition for $89.99, which includes the base game, 72 hours’ advance access (except on Switch 2, and a Character Customization Pack. There’s also the Original Equipment Pack, Starter Item Pack and digital official art book.

If you played Attack on Titan 2 and Final Battle, then good news – you can transfer your save data for a bonus in-game gift, though how that works will be revealed later. Stay tuned for more updates and gameplay en route to the title’s release.

As outlined in the overview below, the DLC introduces the titular town, which is located underwater and a great place to grow watermelons (though you’ll need Pokémon specializing in Water). It’s also where you’ll engage in some deep-sea diving, new buildings constructed with bouncy blocks, and the Sharpedo submarine to serve as a new room.

That’s besides the new Pokémon, outfits, Surf upgrade and Smoothies that can be prepared. Aside from the DLC, the free update allows for building underwater, swimming alongside Water Types and even learning Dive from Manaphy.

For those seeking even more reasons to get lost in the world of Pokopia, Part 2 of the Expansion Pass arrives in late 2026. Details are scarce right now, but expect even more Pokémon and furniture.

Pokémon Pokopia is available exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 and is developed by Game Freak and Omega Force. Aside from garnering extensive acclaim (check out our review where we gave it a 9 out of 10), it’s become one of the biggest surprise hits for Nintendo. It sold 2.41 million copies as of March 31st, and even surprised Koei Tecmo’s CEO. Read more about that here.

Speaking to Famitsu, he stated that Pokopia is quite high among the studio’s list of successful collaborative efforts with other talented studios, talking about how the original goal was to make it a bestseller. That said, there weren’t very high expectations for how far it could really go.

“From among our spin-off titles, I do feel a strong sense of accomplishment. We worked to make it the best-selling spin-off game, but before launch there weren’t any real expectations (laughs). However, directly ahead of launch, lots of overseas media played it and rated it very highly, and then I felt it spread from there.”

It isn’t really a surprise considering how addictive this one can get, and the strong endgame it brings long after you’re done with the 20-30 hour story. Of course, Koinuma was asked whether this bodes well for future spin-off titles, and he pointed to successful past collaborations that have been beneficial and educational for all stakeholders involved.

Of course, that’s rather enigmatic and perhaps a carefully maneuvered statement to conceal what might be the early stages of potential follow-ups, which is what we’re choosing to believe until there are more official announcements on the subject. In the meantime, there’s that expansion in August to look forward to, if nothing else.

In the gameplay shown off, the player is able to explore the world of Attack on Titan and even make use of environmental hazards to slow titans down. Along with this, players will also have to strategize with their allies and craft better gear. There also seems to be a buff system in the title that revolves around the kinds of food you eat before setting off on a mission.

Among the highlights of Attack on Titan 3 is the inclusion of Exterior Scouting Missions, where players can freely explore the world outside of the city’s walls. In these missions, players will have to construct supply bases and take on dangerous titans and, in the process, expand humanity’s domain. Exterior Scouting Missions will also have an emphasis on resource management, since players will have to deal with running out of ODM (omni-directional mobility gear) fuel and blades.

Attack on Titan 3 was unveiled in early June with a trailer, and Koei Tecmo has described the title as being a conclusion to its trilogy. Taking on the role of a Scout Regiment member, players will get to experience the major historical events that end up shaping the world of Attack on Titan. Along the way, players will also deal with allied members of the regiment, each of whom has their own unique skills that can help you out in crucial battles.

As a treat for fans of the original Attack on Titan anime, MAPPA – the studio behind the anime’s final season – will be producing a unique opening animation for Attack on Titan 3. This means that action scene animator, storyboard artist, and key animator Arifumi Imai will also be involved in the creation of the opening. More details about the opening animation will be revealed as we get closer to the title’s release.

Koei Tecmo’s series of Attack on Titan adaptations began back in 2016 with the release of the first game. Covering the first season of the anime, the title also included story elements from future episodes that hadn’t yet been aired. It was originally released for PS4, PS3, and PS Vita. A follow-up – Attack on Titan 2 – was released in 2018 and focused on the events of the first two seasons of the anime. It also got an expansion pack, dubbed Final Battle, that brought in events from season 3.

Neither Koei Tecmo nor Omega Force has revealed any details about the story of Attack on Titan 3. However, considering the fact that it is going to conclude the trilogy of games, it will likely involve the events of the anime’s finale.

Along with the update itself, Nintendo has also announced the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass, which will bring with it even more content, like new towns. One of the towns released through the Expansion Pass is Bubbly Basin – an entirely underwater town where players can find new furniture, outfits, and friends. The Expansion Pass will be available through the Nintendo eShop later today.

Late 2026 will see more new features added to Pokémon Pokopia as part of the expansion pass, with a third set of content slated for release in 2027.

As for the free update, it will give players the ability to expand their towns into new underwater frontiers, and in the process, further enhance their friendships with water-based Pokémon. The new underwater regions can be accessed through the use of a new move, Dive, and along with exploration, players will also be able to build entire structures underwater.

Pokémon Pokopia was released on Nintendo Switch 2 earlier this year, and has gone on to become a major hit, selling more than 2.2 million copies in just the first four days of its release. Since then, several reports have noted that the game has led to an increase in Nintendo Switch 2 hardware sales, and even Koei Tecmo raised its profit forecasts for FY 2026 thanks to its work on Pokémon Pokopia.

Erin and the Survey Corps are back, and they’re as nimble and deadly as they’ve ever been, thanks to coordinated attacks, deadly weapons, and a determined desire to make the world a safer place, one Titan at a time. We get to see quite a few familiar faces, and some intense moments that might be familiar to those of you who’ve watched the anime or read the manga.

Of course, the Titans aren’t taking any incursions lying down, and they’re a perfect contrast to the Survey Corps’s speed with a level of ferocity accompanying the brute force of their attacks. Of course, it’s often a battle of wits that wins the day against Titans, and this one looks like you’re going to have to be quite precise with your attacks if you don’t want to end up as the nearest Titan’s next meal.

All in all, it’s business as usual for Erin and Co. in this one, but there’s also the promise of a new Scout Report that’s scheduled to arrive on July 1, 2026, to look forward to.