Ethan Crossfield 
If you’re deciding whether to jump into Pokemon Pokopia—or you’re already deep in town-building—Nintendo’s latest announcement is a clear reason to stay on schedule. A free August update adds a new Dive ability for exploring the ocean floor, while a paid Expansion Pass launches the same day with three DLC packs, including a brand-new town to renovate.
What’s changing in the free August update
Nintendo confirmed that Pokemon Pokopia will receive a substantial free update in August. The headline feature is the Dive ability, which lets players explore the ocean floors. According to the announcement, that underwater exploration isn’t just for scenery—players will encounter new Pokemon in the ocean and be able to do essentially the same kinds of activities they can already do on land. That includes building houses, meaning the update effectively supports the idea of underwater city life once it launches.
Who’s affected: players getting the Expansion Pass on day one
The free update arrives in August, and Nintendo also revealed that the first paid DLC will be available the same day. The Expansion Pass goes live later today, with pricing not yet provided in the announcement. Players who purchase the Expansion Pass will gain access to three DLC packs, starting with a new town called Bubbly Basin. Nintendo’s description focuses on renovation and expansion—so the expectation is that Bubbly Basin brings fresh town content for players to develop within Pokopia’s cozy gameplay loop.
What’s coming next: the three DLC packs and their timelines
Beyond Bubbly Basin, Nintendo laid out a longer roadmap for the Expansion Pass. The second DLC is scheduled for late 2026 and will include “additional new features,” though no specifics were provided at the time of the announcement. The third DLC is planned for 2027 and will add another new town. While Nintendo didn’t preview what that town theme or concept might be, the company indicated that more details should follow in the months ahead.
What players should know
- A free August update for Pokemon Pokopia adds the Dive ability for ocean-floor exploration.
- Dive-based underwater play includes new Pokemon and land-like activities, including house building.
- The Expansion Pass starts later today and includes three paid DLC packs.
- First DLC pack: Bubbly Basin, adding a new town to renovate.
- Second DLC: late 2026, includes additional new features (not yet detailed).
- Third DLC: 2027, adds another new town (details coming later).
| Content | Type | When (as announced) | What it includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dive update | Free | August | Dive ability for ocean exploration, new Pokemon, and building activities underwater |
| Bubbly Basin | Paid (Expansion Pass) | Later today | A brand-new town for players to renovate |
| Second DLC pack | Paid (Expansion Pass) | Late 2026 | Additional new features (no specifics provided) |
| Third DLC pack | Paid (Expansion Pass) | 2027 | Another new town (no theme details provided) |
Expert View
Nintendo’s approach here is straightforward: it pairs a major free gameplay expansion in August with a paid roadmap that’s already structured into three clear releases. The underwater focus of the free Dive update could meaningfully extend Pokopia’s town-building fantasy, while the Expansion Pass—starting immediately with Bubbly Basin—gives players a reason to keep progressing even before the next feature drop. The only real unknowns are what the late-2026 “additional features” will actually be and what the 2027 town’s concept will bring, but the timing is at least transparent.
