The Pokémon Pokopia release time is rushing up faster than a Growlithe using Extreme Speed. The Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive puts you in the shoes of a Ditto impersonating a human and tasks you with helping create a world fit for Pokemon of all kinds to live happily and safely in. In our Pokopia review, we called it a “surprisingly deep” puzzle game with room “to play around and discover your own answer.” Release times are staggered, so if you’re eager to see it for yourself, you’ll have to wait until your turn.

Below, we break down what time Pokémon Pokopia releases for Nintendo Switch 2 around the world.

Pokémon Pokopia release time in your time zone

Image: Koei Tecmo, Game Freak/Nintendo, The Pokémon Company

Pokémon Pokopia will be released for Switch 2 on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Nintendo hasn’t announced a specific release time, but unless stated otherwise, eShop releases launch at midnight in the easternmost time zone of your region. For example, that’d be 12 a.m. on March 5 in New York City, but 9 p.m. PST in San Francisco.

Here’s what that looks like around the world:

• 9 p.m. PST on Wednesday, March 4 for the west coast of North America
• 12 a.m. EST on Thursday, March 5 for the east coast of North America
• 12 a.m. BRT for Brazil
• 12 a.m. GMT for the U.K.
• 12 a.m. CEST for western Europe
• 12 a.m. JST for Japan
• 12 a.m. AEDT for Australia

You can play Pokopia early if you purchase it from another region’s eShop, though if you do go that route, we recommend creating a new Nintendo account for that region. Unlinking your existing Nintendo ID is a tedious and potentially problematic process, so it’s best just to use a fresh one. Other accounts on your Switch 2 can still access it, even if they aren’t linked to that region.

Bear in mind that Pokémon Pokopia is a Switch 2 exclusive; Nintendo will not be releasing it for the original Switch. However, during a Treehouse special, Nintendo did say Pokopia supports GameShare, where you can stream the game locally from your Switch 2 to a nearby original Switch.

Can you preload Pokémon Pokopia on Switch 2?

Yes, once you pre-order Pokémon Pokopia, you can immediately start downloading it on your Switch 2. Nintendo and other retailers are also offering pre-order bonuses, usually in-game decorative items, with one exception:

• Nintendo eShop: in-game Ditto rug
• Target: in-game Ditto rug
• Amazon: in-game flat-leaf plant
• Best Buy: Pokopia-themed canvas tote (real-life item)

In-game rewards can be redeemed from the Mystery Gift section of the options menu once you have access to it in Pokopia.