‘Pokémon Pokopia’ is even better than ‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’

image via TechCrunch

March 10, 2026, 4:00 PM

• •“Pokopia” is a hybrid of 'Animal Crossing,' 'Stardew Valley,' and 'Minecraft,' but set in Pokémon’s Kanto region, now an apocalyptic wasteland.
• •The game has exceeded sales expectations, leading to a price increase and buzz for the new Switch 2.
• •The author found the game so engrossing that she was oblivious to her boyfriend falling asleep beside her while she played.
• •The game subtly touches on real-world issues, like climate change, server costs, and the decline of music streaming.

The author recounts her immersive experience playing 'Pokopia,' a new cozy life simulator in the Pokémon franchise, which led to her engrossment in the game while her boyfriend fell asleep beside her. The game, set in a post-apocalyptic Kanto region, combines elements of 'Animal Crossing,' 'Stardew Valley,' and 'Minecraft,' providing an escape while subtly reflecting on real-world issues. The author reflects on the game's popularity and how it has surpassed expectations, leading to a price increase and generating buzz for the upcoming Switch 2, while also drawing comparisons to the escapism of 'Animal Crossing.' The author admits to being completely oblivious to her boyfriend's sleep during a gaming session, attributing the lapse in attention to the engaging nature of 'Pokopia' and its captivating gameplay.

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