How to play Pokémon Pokopia on Switch 1: Nintendo's weird loophole explained

If you’re wondering if Pokémon Pokopia is natively on the original Nintendo Switch 1, the short answer is no — but there is one way you can play the game on the older console.

In the event that you have someone in your life who owns a Nintendo Switch 2 and you don't, there is a handy feature you can use to enjoy the cosy Pokémon adventure in your own right.

So, whether you’re asking if Pokopia will come to Switch 1, looking for a Pokopia on Switch 1 release, or simply trying to find out how the current loophole works, here’s everything you need to know.

How to play Pokémon Pokopia on Switch 1

If you want to play Pokopia on Switch 1, the only current method is through the Nintendo Switch 2's GameShare feature — available in the Pokémon Center of Palette Town, which is only accessible through the Withered Wasteland when you learn Rock Smash.

GameShare lets one supported Switch 2 game be shared to another system, including an original Nintendo Switch, so another player can join in without owning the game themselves.

Nintendo also confirms on Pokémon Pokopia's game page that only Nintendo Switch 2 consoles can share games, while both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch systems can receive them over a local wireless connection.

Something to note is that you can only use GameShare with a Switch 2 and Switch 1 via a local wireless connection, and you cannot do it online.

This means if you want to use GameShare with someone on a Switch 1, they have to be with you in person. Fellow Switch 2 owners can make use of GameChat to use GameShare online. What's more, anyone receiving software via GameShare can only use it for the duration of that session. Once the GameShare session ends, the shared version of the game is no longer playable.

It's quite a strange decision, considering it doesn't appear to be a very intensive game to run, especially when you consider that the much more expansive Pokémon Legends: Z-A managed to get a Switch 1 version.

For that reason, we can only assume that Pokopia is another title in Nintendo's gradual move away from the Switch 1, and towards the Switch 2 being its one and only console.

Read more on Pokémon Pokopia:

• Pokopia review: Our final verdict
• Pokopia beginner's guide: Tips, tricks and first things to do
• Pokopia multiplayer explained
• How to move grass and flowers in Pokopia
• How to get Beans, Tomatoes and Wheat in Pokopia
• Are there shinies in Pokopia?
• When is the next Pokopia event?

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