Pokémon Pokopia is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, so if you’re still on the original Switch, you can’t buy or download it. There is a way to play it though, through GameShare. It has real limits, but it works. This guide covers the full setup and what to expect as a guest player.
TL;DR
- Pokopia is only for Switch 2. You can’t buy or download it on Switch 1.
- GameShare lets a Switch 2 host share the game to a nearby (local) Switch 1 for free.
- Switch 1 access is local only. No internet. No online GameShare.
- GameShare is restricted to Palette Town, not the main story or Cloud Islands.
- Guest players have limited abilities. Inventory items don’t carry over when the session ends.
What You Need Before Starting
Before anyone touches a menu, make sure you’ve got all of this sorted:
- One Nintendo Switch 2 with a copy of Pokémon Pokopia (digital or game-key card)
- Palette Town unlocked. The Switch 2 player needs to reach this area first. It opens up naturally after the intro section of the game, so it won’t take long.
- Both consoles nearby. GameShare runs on local wireless. No internet needed, but you do need to be in the same room.
- One Switch 1 or Switch Lite for the guest. No game purchase required.
Step-by-Step: Host Setup (Switch 2)
The Switch 2 player kicks things off from inside the game. Here’s what to do:
- Open Pokémon Pokopia and travel to Palette Town. It’s across the big bridge from Withered Wasteland. If you’ve set up a Ditto Home there, you can fast travel directly.
- Head to the Pokémon Center and interact with the PC.
- Select Link Play > Invite Others to Visit > GameShare > With nearby players.
- Wait for the guest to join. You’ll see them appear on your screen once they connect.
- Select Start to launch the shared session.
Step-by-Step: Guest Setup (Switch 1)
The Switch 1 player doesn’t need to own the game or launch anything beforehand. From the Home Menu:
- On the Home Menu, scroll down and select GameShare.
- Select Join GameShare.
- Search for a nearby session. The host’s Pokopia game should appear in the list.
- Select it and hit Join. No extra steps needed for Switch 1.
Note: if the guest is on a Switch 2 instead of Switch 1, they’ll need to select A Local User after hitting Join. Switch 1 players skip that step entirely.
How to End a GameShare Session
The host controls when the session closes. Two ways to do it:
- Open the + Pokédex menu, then press the – button.
- Or head back to the Pokémon Center PC and end the session from there.
Once the session ends, any items the guest collected are automatically moved to the Lost & Found box outside the Pokémon Center. They won’t lose anything permanently, but they also can’t bring items back to their own game.
What Can You Actually Do? (Guest Abilities)
Here’s the honest breakdown of what Switch 1 guest players can and can’t do during a GameShare session:
| ✅ What guests CAN do | ❌ What guests CANNOT do |
|---|---|
| Use all main Ditto abilities (dig, cut, water plants, etc.) | Carry inventory items out after the session ends |
| Use the workbench to craft new items | Get Pokémon to follow them |
| Place blocks and items in the world | Discover or register new Pokémon |
| Collect materials and resources | Change their Ditto’s appearance |
| Interact with Pokémon residents | Access the main story or Cloud Islands |
| Build and break structures | |
| Explore all of Palette Town freely |
Guests can explore and help build, but they can’t progress their own save or craft anything. It plays more like a co-op building session than a full game experience.
What About Playing Online? (Switch 2 Only)
If both players are on Switch 2, GameShare can also work online via GameChat. The host starts a session and selects Via GameChat instead of nearby players. The guest joins through a GameChat invitation.
Switch 1 players cannot use this option. GameChat is a Switch 2-exclusive feature, so online GameShare is completely off the table if you’re on the older hardware.
Worth knowing on timing: GameChat is currently free for all Switch 2 users, but starting March 31, 2026, it will require an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. Online GameShare between two Switch 2 consoles will cost money after that date. Local GameShare with a Switch 1 stays free.
Is GameShare Worth It for Switch 1 Players?
Whether it’s worth it comes down to your setup.
If you have a friend or family member with a Switch 2 and Pokopia, GameShare is a genuinely fun way to build together in Palette Town. The guest experience is stripped back, but there’s still plenty to do: digging, placing blocks, interacting with Pokémon. It plays well.
What it isn’t is a substitute for owning the game. You can’t touch the main story, you can’t keep your progress, and you’re limited to one zone. If you’re thinking GameShare will scratch the full Pokopia itch long-term, it won’t.