We Need More Cozy Pokémon Games Like Pokopia

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I’ve always found it difficult to get into the Pokémon RPGs, which might sound strange to some. I just don’t enjoy the idea of catching creatures, keeping them confined, and making them battle each other to become a champion. It’s just not my style – I prefer a more relaxed approach.

I really love how cute Pokémon are, and I’ve definitely spent a lot on collecting the cards. However, I only truly enjoy the Pokémon video games when they’re relaxing and low-key – the kind where you can just hang out with Pokémon like Pikachu. Unfortunately, there aren’t many games that offer that kind of experience.

Fortunately, we now have another example, with the recent release of the charming and cozy Pokémon Pokopia.

No Trainers, No Masters

Pokopia is the newest in a small but growing collection of relaxing Pokémon games, and it’s quickly becoming popular. It’s similar to Animal Crossing, where you play as a Ditto working to bring Pokémon back together after their trainers have disappeared. The game focuses on exploring, building, and making friends – there’s no battling, catching Pokémon, or collecting badges. It’s all about Pokémon living peaceful, happy lives.

Explore the island and meet interesting Pokémon like SmearGuru, a creative artist, Greedent Dente, a talented chef, and Mosslax, the sleepiest Snorlax you’ll ever find! As a Ditto, you can transform into different Pokémon and learn their skills – for example, become Squirtle to water plants or Scyther to clear paths. The more you discover and learn, the better you can build a wonderful new home for yourself and your friends.

Pokopia is letting many players enjoy a truly cozy Pokémon experience for the first time, and it’s quickly become a popular, relaxing game. Players are getting creative, building everything from restaurants to fully functional subway systems within the game. It offers the same enjoyable gameplay as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, but without the frustrating aspects of Tom Nook and his loans. In fact, our review team has already called it one of the best Pokémon games ever made.

This game isn’t about battles or collecting things. It’s simply about watching Pokémon live their lives and relax.

Pokopia is a charming and delightful game, and it really shows us how much potential there is for more relaxing, cozy experiences within the Pokémon world. It’s also not alone in its success – several other popular games have proven that there’s a real appetite for this type of gameplay, making you wonder why we haven’t had games like Pokopia sooner.

Why Can’t We Be Friends?

I first got into casual Pokémon games with Pokémon Snap back in 1999. It was like a shooting game, but instead of fighting, you took pictures of Pokémon in fun situations – like Jigglypuff singing or Blastoise relaxing on the beach. What was really cool was you could even go to Blockbuster and get your best photos printed as stickers! (Sadly, Blockbuster doesn’t exist anymore.)

Pokémon Snap was incredibly popular, selling over a million copies and being a frequent rental at Blockbuster thanks to a deal with Nintendo. Despite its success, a sequel wasn’t released until New Pokémon Snap came out in 2021 – a gap of about 22 years. It’s unclear why it took so long to make a follow-up, considering how well the original game sold.

Since the first Pokémon Snap came out, several relaxing games have been released for fans, such as Pokémon Cafe. I even used Pokémon Sleep for a couple of years to monitor how I slept, though I eventually stopped – it was enjoyable while it lasted!

Each morning, I’d start by taking pictures of Pokémon for research, and I could even become friends with them by giving them treats. Beyond that, a big part of the game involved feeding a huge, lovable Snorlax three times a day, along with any fruits and berries my team found. This simple daily routine, combined with my goal to document every Pokémon, kept me playing the app for far longer than I anticipated.

Pokémon GO quickly became a global sensation, and for a moment, it felt like something special was happening. The game brought people together – strangers became friends while exploring parks to find Pokémon. Local cafes even became popular spots for players, offering discounts and fostering a sense of community. It was a genuinely hopeful time, and it’s rare to see people so united by a shared, lighthearted interest. Pokémon GO was a truly magical experience for casual gamers everywhere.

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Whenever a more relaxed Pokémon game comes out, it’s usually a huge hit with both longtime fans and new players. We really need more of these types of games! Titles like Pokémon Snap, Pokémon GO, and Pokopia are released too infrequently. This is especially true for people who prefer non-violent games or are looking for something fun to play with family, particularly younger children.

Look, I don’t need a brand new Pokémon game every year, but it would be awesome to get a few more chill, relaxing experiences. I’d honestly rather hang out with a Psyduck than battle with it, you know? Thankfully, games like Pokopia are out there giving us that cozy vibe we’re all looking for.

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2026-03-30 16:10