Pokopia DLC Teased With Manaphy, Popplio, Ditto Dive and More

With major releases increasingly tied to long-term content plans, Pokemon Pokopia is already looking ahead. An expansion pass is confirmed for later this year, and newly surfaced retail artwork is teasing what’s coming next—before Nintendo and The Pokemon Company share the full details.

Expansion pass confirmed: Bubbly Basin and Ditto’s Dive

Pokemon Pokopia is set to receive additional content via an expansion pass later this year. The DLC schedule was outlined during a recent Nintendo Direct, with multiple waves tied to new features in Bubbly Basin. The first part of the expansion pass will introduce Ditto’s ability to use Dive, and players will be able to build locations underwater as a direct result of that new mechanic.

Timing-wise, the first DLC portion is planned for August. Additional content is slated to roll out in later 2026, followed by a final segment in 2027. Aside from the Bubbly Basin details already revealed, Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have kept other DLC packs largely under wraps for now.

Retail artwork hints at Manaphy, Popplio—and possible costume customization

Even though fans will need to wait until August for the first DLC drop, the expansion pass is available for purchase at various retailers. Alongside those listings, new artwork has been published that highlights additions tied to the pass.

The teased art specifically points to Manaphy and Popplio arriving in Pokopia, while also reinforcing that Ditto will gain the Dive ability. However, the artwork also includes a clearer hint at future content: Snubbull and “Peakychu” appear in the visuals, with both characters shown wearing different clothing items.

Snubbull has not been officially announced for Pokopia in the information provided so far, making its presence in the retail art notable. The costume angle may be even more significant. In the artwork, Snubbull is shown wearing a yellow bow tie, while Peakychu has a white set of wings on its back and some type of hat. That depiction is already fueling speculation that Pokopia’s DLC could introduce clothing options and broader customization for in-game residents.

Costumed Pokemon have appeared in Pokemon GO for years, and dressed-up Pikachu have been featured in seasonal events there. While Pokopia hasn’t confirmed any clothing system in the source details, the retail art’s emphasis on outfits suggests Nintendo may be exploring similar personalization across the franchise.

What Pokopia’s DLC plan signals for players and the franchise

Pokopia launched for Nintendo Switch 2 earlier this year and is positioned as the platform’s first exclusive Pokemon title. The game has already built strong momentum: it has been purchased by more than four million players, and Nintendo appears to treat it as a system-selling release, including offering Pokopia in a Switch 2 bundle.

With the next mainline Pokemon entry still far enough out that Nintendo and The Pokemon Company can lean on Pokopia in the meantime, the expansion pass looks designed to maintain engagement through the holiday season and beyond. More DLC information is expected over the coming months, with future Nintendo Direct presentations a likely venue for additional reveals.

For players, the near-term takeaway is that August won’t just add content—it will also change the way the game’s world can be interacted with through Ditto’s Dive and underwater building. For the market, the broader takeaway is that Pokopia’s post-launch roadmap is being used to keep attention on a Switch 2 exclusive while the next big franchise moment approaches.

Key points

• Pokopia’s expansion pass is confirmed, with the first wave arriving in August.
• Bubbly Basin DLC adds Ditto’s Dive ability and enables underwater building.
• Retail artwork teases Manaphy and Popplio, plus Snubbull and Peakychu for future content.
• Costume-like visuals in the art suggest potential clothing/customization features—though nothing is confirmed yet.

Confirmed DLC timing for Pokopia

Expert View

This DLC approach suggests Nintendo is treating Pokopia as a long-running platform driver rather than a one-and-done release. By pairing a clear early gameplay change (Ditto Dive and underwater building) with retail-driven teasers for future additions, the publisher is effectively extending the hype cycle while players wait for the next franchise headline. If costume customization is indeed part of the roadmap, it could also strengthen community sharing and player identity—two forces that consistently keep Pokemon communities active between major releases.