Pokémon Pokopia will cost $70 and only be available physically as a Game-Key Card, it appears — something that has stunned some Nintendo fans.
Following confirmation of the game’s March 5, 2026 release date earlier today, store pages for the highly-anticipated Pokémon life simulation have now gone live, detailing its price and status as a Game-Key card game.
In the U.S., Pokopia is available to pre-order now for $69.99. In Japan, meanwhile, Pokopia costs 8,980 yen — the same price point as Mario Kart World ($80 in the U.S.), and more than other Nintendo-published titles such as Donkey Kong Bananza and even Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Nintendo’s Japanese website specifically lists Pokopia’s physical edition as a Game-Key card, and while the same information isn’t shown in the U.S., Nintendo has simulataneously published a YouTube video instructing users on how “Game-Key Cards on Nintendo Switch 2” work — which uses Pokémon Pokopia as an example.
Game-Key Cards have proven controversial among Nintendo fans who dislike the fact that the cartridges only contain a prompt to download the game, rather than its full game data. That means you do need to connect your Switch 2 online after buying the game, and then also need to wait while it downloads. However, Game-Key Cards differ from digital downloads as they can still be re-sold or shared with others — just like a regular game cartridge.
Nintendo previously stated that it had “no plans to use Game-Key Cards for Nintendo-developed titles” — something some fans today have pointed to as a broken promise. But, of course, Pokémon is not a solely Nintendo-owned franchise and Nintendo does not develop Pokémon games.
That said, Nintendo is publishing Pokémon Pokopia, and this does appear to be the first Nintendo-published game offered on a Game-Key Card. But this is also a game developed by Koei Tecmo — which, last time we checked, was not a Nintendo development studio.
Earlier today, Nintendo announced a new trailer for Pokémon Pokopia will debut later this week on Thursday, November 13 at 6am Pacific, 9am Eastern, or 2pm UK. Eagle-eyed fans believe the video will feature over 10 minutes of gameplay — suggesting Nintendo is confident in what it has to show.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
