Bubbly Basin in Pokémon Pokopia: new Pokémon, items and gameplay

Bubbly Basin will expand Pokémon Pokopia with a town developed mainly underwater, although it will also include areas on the surface. Around ten minutes of gameplay shared by Famitsu offer a closer look at its Pokémon, Ditto’s abilities and several tools for building and managing resources.

Nintendo’s official dates vary by English-speaking market: Nintendo UK lists August 5, 2026, while Nintendo US lists October 31, 2026. The free update and its building items are separate from the paid Bubbly Basin content, so players should check their regional eShop before purchase.

Bubbly Basin combines the ocean floor with surface areas

Most of Bubbly Basin lies on the ocean floor, but the new territory will not be exclusively underwater. The demonstration also explores areas above the water, allowing players to alternate between both types of environment when designing the town.

The Pokémon confirmed for this area include Wiglett and Mareanie. Their presence reinforces the marine identity of the setting and adds to the encounters recorded in the new Pokédex for the additional content.

Ditto’s abilities remain essential for building

Ditto will be able to use Till, Leafage, Rock Smash and Roll while exploring and reshaping the terrain. These abilities keep farming, clearing and building tasks at the heart of the experience in the new town.

A new Pokédex for the Expansion Pass areas

Bubbly Basin will introduce a new Pokédex dedicated to the areas added by the pass. This record will make it possible to track encounters made while exploring the additional content and distinguish them from those available in the original towns.

The combination of underwater spaces and surface areas expands the design possibilities without moving away from Pokémon Pokopia’s main loop: exploring, meeting Pokémon and reshaping the environment with the abilities learned by Ditto.

Shared storage and free building items

The free update will add a shared storage unit that can be built and will connect the materials stored in other units of the same type, even when they are placed in different towns or locations. The demonstration confirms capacity for at least 140 items.

Frameless glass will also arrive, a piece designed to create glazed surfaces without the borders found on conventional panels. The content will also introduce a new item capable of generating power underwater, adapted to Bubbly Basin builds.

For more context on the game's recent evolution, see the improvements and fixes in Pokémon Pokopia 1.0.4.

Bubbly Basin release date in Pokémon Pokopia

Nintendo UK lists August 5, 2026 for Bubbly Basin, whereas Nintendo US lists October 31, 2026. The town, its Pokédex and additional Pokémon belong to the paid DLC; shared storage and frameless glass are tied to the free update.