Pokémon Pokopia is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive developed by Koei Tecmo, but that doesn't mean Switch 1 owners are completely left out. Thanks to the GameShare feature, you can still jump into Pokopia on your original Switch console, as long as someone nearby has the game running on a Switch 2. There are some important restrictions to know before you get started, so here's exactly what to expect and how to make it work.
Can You Buy Pokémon Pokopia on Nintendo Switch 1?
No.Pokémon Pokopia is not available for purchase on Nintendo Switch 1. The game is a Switch 2 exclusive, meaning you cannot download or buy it independently on the older hardware. The only way to access Pokopia on a Switch 1 is through the GameShare multiplayer feature, which requires a nearby Switch 2 player who already owns the game.
important
GameShare on Pokopia is limited to the Palette Town mode only. You cannot access the main story, your own island, or standard co-op modes through GameShare on a Switch 1.What Is GameShare in Pokémon Pokopia?
GameShare is a local wireless feature built into the Nintendo Switch system that allows a Switch 2 owner to invite nearby players, including those on Switch 1 consoles, into a shared multiplayer session. In Pokopia, this access is restricted to Palette Town, a specific multiplayer mode within the game. The host must own Pokopia on Switch 2 and have Palette Town unlocked before sending any invites.
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Palette Town is not available from the start of the game. The host player needs to progress through the first area of Pokopia before this mode becomes accessible.
GameShare on Switch Home Menu
How to Unlock Palette Town (Host Requirement)
Before GameShare can be used, the Switch 2 player hosting the session must unlock Palette Town by completing the introductory section of Pokopia. This progression requirement isn't particularly long, but it does mean brand-new players cannot immediately invite Switch 1 friends into a session.
How to Set Up GameShare in Pokémon Pokopia: Step-by-Step
Once Palette Town is unlocked on the host's Switch 2, follow these steps to get a Switch 1 player into the game.
On the Nintendo Switch 2 (Host)
- Open Pokémon Pokopia on the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Travel to Palette Town in-game.
- Locate and interact with the PC inside Palette Town.
- Select the 'Link Play' option from the menu.
- Choose 'Invite Others to Visit'.
- On the pop-up prompt, select 'GameShare'.
- Choose whether to connect with nearby players or through GameChat.
On the Nintendo Switch 1 (Guest)
- From the Home Menu, select 'GameShare'.
- Choose 'Join GameShare' to connect to the host's session.
That's the full process for Switch 1 players. No additional steps are required once you select 'Join GameShare' on the Home Menu.
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If you're connecting as a Switch 2 guest (rather than a Switch 1 guest), you'll need to select 'A Local User' after choosing 'Join GameShare' on the Home Menu.GameShare Limitations: What Can Switch 1 Players Access?
It's worth being clear about what Switch 1 players can and cannot do through GameShare in Pokopia.
The Switch 1 experience through GameShare is genuinely limited. You're joining as a guest in Palette Town only, with no ability to carry over progress or access the broader Pokopia world. If you want the full experience, including building your own island and exploring all habitats, a Nintendo Switch 2 is required.
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Do not expect GameShare to serve as a permanent substitute for owning Pokopia on Switch 2. It's a great way to try the multiplayer side of the game, but the main content is locked behind Switch 2 ownership.
Full island mode on Switch 2 only
Why Is Pokopia a Switch 2 Exclusive?
Pokémon Pokopia represents Nintendo's push into its next hardware generation. As a Switch 2 exclusive, it's designed to take full advantage of the newer console's capabilities. This exclusive approach is expected to become more common as Nintendo transitions its major releases to Switch 2, making GameShare a useful bridge feature for households with mixed hardware.
The game itself puts players in control of a Ditto with the ability to transform into a human, tasked with rebuilding the world in a life simulation format. It's a notable departure from traditional Pokémon gameplay, and early reception has been strong, with Pokopia earning recognition as the highest-rated Pokémon game in franchise history based on critic scores at launch.