The first-ever DLC is nearly here for Pokopia, and it’s going to change the entire game. Bubbly Basin is a paid DLC you can purchase, but the release of this expansion is accompanied by a free base game update too.
There’s a lot to delve into, which means you’ll want to be ready to dive in as soon as it releases.
Since Pokopia has never had anything like this before, you’ll likely be eager to start exploring everything Bubbly Basin has to offer as soon as possible. To ensure you’re ready to go at launch time, here’s the exact time and date when the Bubbly Basin DLC and free base game update will be released for Pokopia.
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When does the Pokopia Bubbly Basin DLC and update come out?
Pokopia’s Bubbly Basin expansion pass DLC is officially slated to launch on Aug. 5. Depending on where you are in the world, though, you might gain access earlier than expected, with most regions around North America likely gaining access in the evening on Aug. 4.
An official launch time for Pokopia’s Bubbly Basin DLC hasn’t been shared, and likely won’t be before release. The vast majority of Nintendo Switch 2 releases tend to be launched based on Japan time, though, which means this one is expected to become available at 9am JST on Aug. 5, which translates to 7pm CT on Aug. 4.
Whether or not you get access on Aug. 4 or 5 depends on where you live, so you can check our timer and list of translated times below to determine when it’ll be available in your area.
- PT: 5pm on Aug. 4
- CT: 7pm on Aug. 4
- ET: 8pm on Aug. 4
- BST: 1am on Aug. 5
- CEST: 2am on Aug. 5
- JST: 9am on Aug. 5
- AEST: 10am on Aug. 5
Pokopia Bubbly Basin DLC features
Most of the new content you can unlock is available after purchasing the Bubbly Basin expansion pass for Pokopia. This paid DLC includes new content for just about every area of the game, and Bubbly Basin is only part one of a three-part release for this DLC. Here’s a breakdown of all major features included.
- Bubbly Basin biome – A special new underwater region called Bubbly Basin will become available to explore.
- New Pokémon – Bubbly Basin is home to a wide variety of exclusive Pokémon you can’t find anywhere else. There are lots of new friendly faces to meet, like Mudkip, Popplio, Swampert, Crawdaunt, Marshtomp, Brionne, and many more.
- New habitats – The many new Pokémon you can meet need a place to call home, so there are plenty of new habitats you can make for them.
- Underwater building – Since Bubbly Basin is underwater, you unlock the means to build there using special Buoyant Blocks.
- Watermelons – While exploring underwater, you’ll unlock watermelons as a new crop you can plant, grow, and harvest.
- Other additions – There are plenty of other smaller additions included, too, like Bubble Machines, smoothies, new outfits, a power-up move for Surf, and much more.
- More to come with Part 2 and Part 3 – This is only the first piece of the DLC, and many more additions are planned for Part 2 and 3. Part 2 is slated for release in late 2026, and is confirmed to include Accessories you can wear and equip on Pokémon, plus additional Pokémon and furniture. Part 3 will debut in 2027, and includes a new town, additional Pokémon, furniture, and more.
Pokopia Bubbly Basin free update features
While the vast majority of the new content is tied to the Bubbly Basin DLC, there’s also a bit of free content base game users can enjoy. Here’s a breakdown of these additions.
- Dive move – All players can now learn the Dive move from Manaphy. To unlock this ability, you must complete the “Raise the environment level!” request in Bleak Beach, learn how to Surf, and how to jump.
- Develop towns underwater – While some key underwater building features are exclusive to Bubbly Basin, even base game players can do a bit of building in underwater areas around the free regions.
- New event – The Fetching Scales for Feebas event will be arriving soon after the update. This one runs from Aug. 13 to 28. Similar to past events like Wish Upon a Jirachi and Sableye’s Gem Hunt, you can unlock an exclusive Pokémon and other rewards by participating in it.
