The latest game in the Pokémon franchise is set for release with Pokopia landing on players’ laps this week, but for those who are impatient, there is a way to access the game early.
Pokémon Pokopia is a new life simulation title landing on Nintendo Switch 2, developed by Koei Tecmo, where players control a Ditto with the ability to transform into a human, and are put to work reshaping the world.
Excitement levels for Pokémon Pokopia have reached new heights, and if you can’t wait any more, Insider Gaming has all the details on how to jump in early.
How to Play Pokémon Pokopia Early
Early access to Pokémon Pokopia using the popular ‘New Zealand’ trick is available, though it won’t work for everyone due to major caveats.
Firstly, jumping into Pokémon Pokopia early is not available if you have already purchased the game using an account that is not based in Australia or New Zealand. Unfortunately, if you pre-purchased Pokopia in your region, you won’t be able to take advantage of this method.
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Additionally, it’s not quite as simple as creating a new account based in that region, as you won’t be able to make direct purchases on the Nintendo eShop, and instead need to buy gift cards.
The step-by-step process to playing Pokémon Pokopia early on Nintendo Switch 2 is outlined below.
- Sign in to a Nintendo Account with the location set to Australia/New Zealand, or create a new account.
- Purchase a Nintendo Gift Card for the region, which you can find online with several retailers.
- Open the Nintendo eShop application on your Nintendo Switch 2.
- Redeem the codes from your Nintendo Gift Cards.
- Purchase Pokémon Pokopia using the balance provided by the gift cards.
- Download Pokémon Pokopia.
What Time is Pokémon Pokopia Available in Australia?
Pokémon Pokopia has a staggered release schedule, like the majority of Nintendo Switch 2 titles, and releases at 12 AM local time.
Due to this, using the New Zealand trick, you can access the title much earlier when the doors open for those down under. However, the exact time you can jump in varies slightly, and you will likely have to wait until the Australian release time.
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The best approach is to make sure you have preloaded Pokémon Pokopia and continue to check if you can access. When you try to launch the game, your Nintendo Switch 2 console will connect to the internet and check whether the release time has passed for the region where you purchased the game.
The table below lists major time zones across the world alongside the Australia Pokémon Pokopia release time, which is expected to be the first opportunity for fans to enter the game.
| Time Zone | Australia Pokémon Pokopia Release Time (AET) |
|---|---|
| Pacific Time (PT) | 5 AM – March 4 |
| Central Time (CT) | 7 AM – March 4 |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 8 AM – March 4 |
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | 1 PM – March 4 |
Will you be utilizing this trick to gain access and play Pokémon Pokopia early? Share your plans in the Insider Gaming Discord.
For more Pokopia, find out how to preload Pokopia ahead of release, and check out all pre-order bonuses and prices.
