We’ve known since June’s Nintendo Direct that Bubbly Basin was arriving sometime in August, and today The Pokémon Company pinned it down to August 5 on Switch 2. A new extended trailer came along with it, running through what Part 1 of the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass actually adds, plus a first look at what Part 2 has in store later this year.
Bubbly Basin is a submerged town that runs on the same specialty system the base game is built around. Pokémon with the Water specialty help grow watermelons, while Pokémon with the Generate specialty power bubble machines and switch on streetlights. There are more Pokémon to find, new outfits for Ditto, a power-up for the move Surf, and smoothies as a newly added prepared food. A hole in the sea floor leads down into the deep sea, which is dark enough that you follow glowing coral to make your way through it.
Building is where Part 1 does something the base game can’t, thanks to buoyant blocks that let you put up structures floating at different levels underwater. You can also build a Sharpedo submarine and turn it into a room that functions like a Secret Base.
The Ver. 2.0.0 free software update arrives the same day for everyone who owns Pokémon Pokopia, and it adds the feature that makes the DLC reachable. Manaphy teaches Ditto the move Dive, which lets you swim alongside Water-type Pokémon and build underwater. You’ll need that update applied before Part 1 will work at all, and to learn Dive you have to clear the request “Raise the environment level!” in Bleak Beach and already know Surf and how to jump.
As for Part 2, it’s scheduled for late 2026 and adds accessories so you can dress up alongside your Pokémon, along with more furniture pieces and more Pokémon to find. Part 3 follows in 2027 with another new town. The Expansion Pass covers all three parts, sells for $34.99, and is on the Nintendo eShop now.
In my review, I called Pokémon Pokopia the best Pokémon game I’ve ever played, and pointed back to my Pokémon Legends: Z-A review, where I’d said Pokémon fans deserve better. What kept me there across 60-plus hours was the building, and specifically the creative freedom I said Animal Crossing never really offers. When the Expansion Pass was first detailed in June, I noted I could easily pour another 60 hours in if there weren’t so many other games to play. I’m still trying to figure out how to squeeze in Bubbly Basin with how much I’m enjoying Splatoon Raiders.
