Five months after the release of Pokémon Pokopia, Nintendo is treating the building sim for the Switch 2 to its first major expansion: “Bubbly Basin,” Part 1 of the three-part Expansion Pass, has been playable since August 5th. In parallel, the free update to version 2.0.0 has been released, bringing a completely new ability for Ditto to all players – even without purchasing the expansion.
What’s Included in the Bubbly Basin Expansion
At the heart of “Bubbly Basin” is a brand-new underwater city that Ditto can rebuild and explore from the ground up. Here, players will find Pokémon that typically live on the seabed, new marine-style floor decorations, and fresh outfits for their character. Those who purchase the complete Expansion Pass for $34.99 USD will also receive a recipe for a dynamic Ditto print pattern with matching wallpaper, as well as an unlock code via email for 30 rare Pokémetal bars for crafting. “Bubbly Basin” is only the first of three planned parts of the pass.
Free 2.0 Update Brings the Dive Ability
Alongside the expansion, Pokémon Pokopia has received a free update to version 2.0.0. The biggest new addition is the Dive ability: Ditto can now swim freely underwater for the first time, though it must first learn the ability from Manaphy once certain conditions are met. Also new is that the building function can now be used underwater. Additionally, there are new items such as the Portal Capsule and Vault, five extra hair colors, and new emotes. Noticeable quality-of-life improvements are also included: Destroyed habitats automatically re-attract Pokémon once rebuilt in the same location, and the “Travel Home” function now allows you to reach Pokémon you are currently searching for in another city.
For those who want a sneak peek of the new area, the official overview trailer already features extensive gameplay footage from Bubbly Basin.
Why This Is an Important Test Case for Pokopia Fans
For Pokémon Pokopia, “Bubbly Basin” is more than just new content: The building spinoff has only been on the market since March 2026 and is among the first major first-party titles Nintendo has released exclusively for the Switch 2 – we previously reported on the game’s dedicated Switch 2 bundle. How well this first paid expansion is received by the community will likely help determine how ambitiously Nintendo approaches the third city announced for 2027. From our perspective, the scope of the free update is particularly noteworthy: Instead of putting the new diving mechanic behind a paywall, everyone gets it for free – only access to the new city itself remains exclusive to paying players. Part 2 of the Expansion Pass is announced for "late 2026," with Part 3, featuring another new city, expected to follow in 2027.
Source: Nintendo Life, GoNintendo
Have you already explored Bubbly Basin? Let us know in the comments what you think of the new underwater city and the free update!
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