This weekend, those attending the Pokémon European International Championships in London will have a unique chance to play an early version of the upcoming game, Pokémon Pokopia. The event, held at ExCeL London from February 13th to 15th, is offering a public demo for the game.
This marks the first opportunity for the public to experience Pokémon Pokopia before its official release. The demo will allow attendees to try out some of the game's core mechanics, which are described as a blend of life simulation and elements from series like Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon.
Event Details and Game Features
The Pokémon European International Championships in London will host the demo stations. This event is not solely focused on the new game; it also includes a return of the Pokémon Center pop-up store, the Pokémon Play Lab, signings, and cosplay competitions.
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Game Concept: Pokémon Pokopia is a spin-off game where players control a humanoid Ditto protagonist. The goal is to rebuild a desolate world into a "charming utopia" by engaging in activities like farming, building, and interacting with Pokémon.
Gameplay Elements: Players are expected to:
Create their own "island paradise" or home.
Use Pokémon companions for tasks such as watering crops (with a Squirtle) and harvesting (with a Scyther).
Engage in building and crafting.
Release Information: The game is scheduled to launch on March 5th, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders for the game are currently available in the US and UK. A notable detail regarding the release is the introduction of a "Game-Key Card" for the physical version, which acts solely as a download key rather than containing game data on the cartridge itself.
Demo Availability
The demo will be accessible to all attendees of the Pokémon European International Championships at ExCeL London. This event runs from February 13th to 15th. It is unclear what specific content will be featured in the demo, but it is presumed to showcase the core gameplay loop involving the player character's transformation abilities and interactions with Pokémon for world-building.
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Associated Events and Promotions
Alongside the Pokémon Pokopia demo, other Pokémon-related activities are scheduled:
Pokémon Center Pop-Up Store: A returning feature at the championships, offering merchandise and an experience related to the Pokémon brand. Previous Pokémon Center pop-ups in London have had specific operating hours and location details, such as one in Westfield London, Shepherd's Bush.
Pokémon Play Lab: An area likely for interactive experiences.
Broader Context of Pokémon Releases and Events
The timing of the Pokémon Pokopia demo aligns with broader trends in Pokémon game releases and marketing. The game's exclusivity to the Nintendo Switch 2 positions it within the company's next-generation hardware strategy. Previous reports mention Pokémon Sword and Shield demos occurring at Pokémon Center London events, indicating a pattern of offering hands-on experiences at major gatherings.
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The nature of Pokémon Pokopia has been compared to games like Animal Crossing and Minecraft, suggesting a focus on creative gameplay and world development. The narrative element of a humanoid Ditto protagonist has also sparked discussion regarding its conceptualization and potential narrative implications.
Official Sources and Further Information
Pokémon Pokopia Official Website: https://pokopia.pokemon.com/en-us/ - This site provides official details and screenshots of the game in development.
Nintendo Life: Articles dated "2 hours ago" and "December 17, 2025" provide specific details about the demo event and pre-order information, respectively. Links: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/pokemon-pokopia-demo-event-is-heading-to-london-this-week, https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/where-to-pre-order-pokemon-pokopia
ResetEra: A forum post from "3 hours ago" confirms the demo's availability at the championships. Link: https://www.resetera.com/threads/pok%C3%A9mon-pokopia-to-have-its-first-public-demo-at-the-europe-international-championships-this-weekend.1430755/
Radio Times: Articles published on unspecified dates provide an overview of the game's release date, gameplay, and related Pokémon Center events. Links: https://www.radiotimes.com/technology/gaming/pokemon-pokopia-release-date/, https://www.radiotimes.com/technology/gaming/london-pokemon-center-2025/
Used Sources and Context
Nintendo Life (https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/02/pokemon-pokopia-demo-event-is-heading-to-london-this-week, https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/where-to-pre-order-pokemon-pokopia): This source provides specific details about the demo event, its location, timing, and pre-order information. Published recently, it appears to be a primary source for the event announcement.
ResetEra (https://www.resetera.com/threads/pok%C3%A9mon-pokopia-to-have-its-first-public-demo-at-the-europe-international-championships-this-weekend.1430755/): This forum thread acts as a secondary source, relaying information about the demo's availability at the championships, corroborating the Nintendo Life report.
Radio Times (https://www.radiotimes.com/technology/gaming/pokemon-pokopia-release-date/, https://www.radiotimes.com/technology/gaming/london-pokemon-center-2025/): These articles offer broader context on Pokémon Pokopia, including release dates and gameplay descriptions, as well as details on past Pokémon Center events in London.
Pokémon Official Website (https://pokopia.pokemon.com/en-us/): The direct source for official game information, used to confirm the game's concept and visuals.
Pocketmonsters.net, Timeout.com, The PokéCommunity Forums, Google Sites, Theremightbecoffee.wordpress.com, TrustedReviews.com: These sources provide supplementary information regarding past Pokémon events in London, game concepts, and general gaming news, offering a wider picture of the Pokémon landscape and potential comparisons.
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