The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →To use the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass, own Pokémon Pokopia for Nintendo Switch 2, purchase the digital pass through Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Store, and keep the game updated. Claim the Dynamic Ditto print recipe from the in-game Downloadable Content menu, redeem the separate rare-Pokémetal code through Mystery Gifts, and complete the required story progress before entering the Bubbly Basin area.
The pass is released in parts, so buying it does not immediately unlock every planned area. Part 1, Bubbly Basin, is available from August 4, 2026. Nintendo lists Part 2 for late 2026 and Part 3 for 2027; the US product listing gives September 30, 2027 for Part 3. Regional dates and availability can change.
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What you need before redeeming the pass
Check these requirements before trying to claim an item or enter an expansion area:
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|---|---|
| Pokémon Pokopia for Nintendo Switch 2 | The full version of the game is required to use its DLC. The Expansion Pass is not a standalone game. |
| Expansion Pass purchase | The pass is digital DLC sold through Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Store. |
| Current Switch 2 system software | Nintendo’s missing-content troubleshooting starts with updating the console. |
| Current Pokémon Pokopia software | The Dynamic Ditto recipe requires version 1.1.0, and later content may require newer updates. |
| Internet access | Internet is needed for downloading updates and for Mystery Gifts. |
| A Nintendo Account-linked user profile | Mystery Gifts require the in-game user to be linked to a Nintendo Account. |
| About 30 minutes of gameplay | Mystery Gifts unlock only after approximately 30 minutes of play. |
If you do not own the base game, Nintendo also sells a physical Switch 2 edition. Treat that as the required game only: do not assume it includes the Expansion Pass unless the exact product listing explicitly identifies a bundle.
#1 Best Overall
- Shape the world and build a cozy new life with Pokémon as a Ditto transformed to look like a human.
- Use other Pokémon’s moves, like Bulbasaur’s Leafage, to revitalize and navigate the world around you.
- Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
- Gather materials to create items and furniture, till the fields to grow delicious crops, build homes for the Pokémon you meet, and more—there’s so much to do!
- Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
What the Expansion Pass contains and when it arrives
The pass is a package of Pokémon Pokopia add-on content rather than a single download that exposes every feature immediately. Nintendo’s release information identifies three parts:
| Content | Release information | What this means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Bubbly Basin | Released August 4, 2026 | An underwater area that becomes available after the required game progression and Dive training. |
| Part 2 | Scheduled for late 2026 | The exact date can depend on the current regional Nintendo listing. |
| Part 3 | Scheduled for 2027; the US listing specifies September 30, 2027 | Use the listing for your region because schedules can be revised. |
Nintendo’s US announcement displayed a price of $34.99 for the pass when the product was researched. That figure is region- and time-sensitive: check the price shown on your Nintendo Account’s eShop or Nintendo Store page before purchasing.
The pass also includes two purchase bonuses, but they are delivered differently. The Dynamic Ditto print is claimed directly in the game. The 30 rare Pokémetal ingots arrive through a code sent to the email address associated with the purchasing Nintendo Account.
Purchase, download, entitlement, and progression are separate
Several steps can look like one problem when they are actually different. A successful eShop or Nintendo Store transaction establishes that the Nintendo Account owns the DLC. The console then needs the relevant data downloaded, and the game must be current enough to recognize it. Finally, some content has its own in-game requirements.
For example, a pass can be correctly purchased and downloaded while Bubbly Basin remains closed because Dive has not been learned or the Bleak Beach request is unfinished. Conversely, a recipe that is missing from Check Items points first to an update, account, or download issue rather than to story progression. Keeping those stages separate prevents an unnecessary second purchase.
Redeem the Dynamic Ditto print recipe
The recipe is an in-game entitlement, not a separate physical object or a file you need to find in the console’s storage. Update Pokémon Pokopia to version 1.1.0 or later, then use this exact menu path:
- Start Pokémon Pokopia with the user who should receive the bonus.
- Press + to open the game menu.
- Select Downloadable Content.
- Choose Check Items.
- Select Receive when the Dynamic Ditto print is listed.
After the receive action succeeds, the recipe is available in the game. If Receive is unavailable, first confirm the software version and that the game was started by the user who made the purchase. If the item still does not appear, use the download and entitlement checks in the troubleshooting section below rather than purchasing the pass again.
Redeem the 30 rare Pokémetal ingots
This bonus uses two separate stages: entering the emailed code and then claiming the resulting Mystery Gift in the game. The deadlines apply to different stages, so record both of them.
Rank #2
- Shape the world and build a cozy new life with Pokémon as a Ditto transformed to look like a human.
- Use other Pokémon’s moves, like Bulbasaur’s Leafage, to revitalize and navigate the world around you.
- Meet and befriend more Pokémon as you help nature flourish.
- Gather materials to create items and furniture, till the fields to grow delicious crops, build homes for the Pokémon you meet, and more—there’s so much to do!
- Experience a world with varied weather, real-time days and nights, and other surprises.
1. Find the emailed code
Check the email account associated with the Nintendo Account used to buy the Expansion Pass. Search the inbox, spam folder, and any filtered promotional folders for the purchase message. Keep the code private; it is intended for one claim on the eligible account.
2. Unlock Mystery Gifts
Nintendo says the Mystery Gifts feature becomes available after approximately 30 minutes of play. The time is measured by gameplay progress, not by leaving the software paused on a menu. Continue playing until the feature appears.
3. Enter the code
- Open Pokémon Pokopia’s Mystery Gifts feature.
- Choose Get with Code/Password.
- Enter the code exactly as provided, observing any letters, numbers, and hyphens.
- Confirm the redemption and follow the on-screen instructions to receive the gift.
Mystery Gifts require an internet connection and a user profile linked to a Nintendo Account. Nintendo states that this bonus does not require a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
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| Action | Deadline | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Redeem the emailed code | August 31, 2027 | The code must be entered by this date. |
| Claim the in-game reward | September 30, 2027 | The gift must be claimed in Pokémon Pokopia by this date, even if the code was entered earlier. |
Nintendo says the bonus may be claimed only once. Do not delete the user profile or assume a second profile can collect another set of ingots.
Download the DLC after buying it
The Expansion Pass is digital content. Purchasing it and making its data available on the console are related but separate checks: the purchase creates the entitlement, while the console still needs the relevant software data and updates.
Keep the console and game current
- From the Switch 2 HOME Menu, open the system settings and install any available system software update.
- Highlight Pokémon Pokopia, open its software options, and check for an available game update.
- Wait for the update to finish before launching the game again.
Version 1.1.0 is the minimum version identified for the Dynamic Ditto recipe. Expansion areas may depend on additional updates, so installing the newest available Pokémon Pokopia update is the safer option.
Check virtual game card download data when applicable
Nintendo’s support instructions include a redownload route for purchases that use the virtual game card system. The path is tied to that purchase method and should not be treated as a universal eShop procedure:
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- Open the Switch 2 virtual game card list.
- Select the Nintendo Account user who made the purchase.
- Choose Pokémon Pokopia or the relevant DLC from that user’s list.
- Open Options.
- Select Download Data.
- Return to the HOME Menu and watch the download indicator until it finishes.
If the pass was purchased through a method that does not use a virtual game card, the displayed menus may differ. Use the purchase account’s Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Store transaction details and the console’s download status rather than forcing this path.
Rank #3
- Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass
Verify the entitlement inside the game
- Start Pokémon Pokopia using the profile that should play the DLC.
- Press + to open the menu and the Pokédex.
- Select Downloadable Content.
- Choose Check Items.
This check is where the Dynamic Ditto recipe should become claimable. It also helps distinguish a download problem from a progression requirement: a received recipe does not by itself open Bubbly Basin.
How the two bonuses differ
| Bonus | Delivery method | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Ditto print recipe | In-game Downloadable Content > Check Items > Receive | Pokémon Pokopia version 1.1.0 or later |
| 30 rare Pokémetal ingots | Email code entered through Mystery Gifts > Get with Code/Password | About 30 minutes of play, internet, and a Nintendo Account-linked profile |
| Bubbly Basin access | Expansion content unlocked in the game | Dive plus the completed Bleak Beach request “Raise the environment level!” |
This distinction matters when checking a purchase. Seeing the recipe does not mean the emailed code has been claimed, and accepting the code does not skip the story requirements for the underwater area.
Enter Bubbly Basin
Bubbly Basin is an underwater area. Owning the Expansion Pass is necessary, but it does not bypass the in-game steps required to reach the underwater gate.
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Learn Dive
The Dive move is added through a free Pokémon Pokopia software update. Install the available update, then progress through the game until Dive can be learned. If Dive is not present, check the software version before assuming the pass failed to install.
Complete the Bleak Beach request
You must also complete the important request titled “Raise the environment level!” in Bleak Beach. The gate remains unavailable until both conditions are met:
- Dive has been learned.
- The “Raise the environment level!” request in Bleak Beach is complete.
These are progression gates, not additional purchases. Buying the pass alone cannot substitute for either requirement.
What to check when the gate is still closed
- Confirm that Dive is actually available in your move or ability list, rather than merely having installed the update.
- Open the Bleak Beach request log and verify that “Raise the environment level!” is marked complete.
- Restart the game after completing the request if the gate state has not refreshed.
- Check for another Pokémon Pokopia update before contacting Nintendo Support.
Troubleshoot DLC that does not appear
Work through the checks in this order. Each step addresses a different failure point, so skipping directly to a reinstall can make it harder to identify the cause.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Update Switch 2. Install the newest available system software.
- Update Pokémon Pokopia. Confirm that the game is not waiting for an update, and remember that the Dynamic Ditto recipe specifically requires version 1.1.0.
- Confirm the purchasing account. Use the Nintendo Account that bought the pass when checking virtual game cards and starting the game. A different local user may not show the same entitlement.
- Check download status. If the purchase uses virtual game cards, select the purchasing user, choose Pokémon Pokopia or its DLC, open Options, and select Download Data. Monitor the HOME Menu until the transfer completes.
- Check the in-game item menu. Press +, open Downloadable Content, select Check Items, and look for the recipe or a Receive command.
- Check Mystery Gift conditions. For the ingots, make sure roughly 30 minutes of gameplay have unlocked Mystery Gifts, the profile is Nintendo Account-linked, the console is online, and the code has not passed its August 31, 2027 redemption deadline.
- Check Bubbly Basin progression. Verify both Dive and the completed Bleak Beach request. A functioning pass can still leave the underwater gate closed until these are done.
- Contact Nintendo Support. If the update, download, account, entitlement, and progression checks all pass but the DLC remains unavailable, Nintendo directs players to contact support.
Common purchase and access mistakes
Buying the pass without the game
The Expansion Pass is DLC, not a playable copy of Pokémon Pokopia. A pass purchase cannot launch the game or replace the required base software. If you are starting from zero, obtain the full Switch 2 game first or at the same time.
Rank #4
- Pokémon Pokopia Bundle (Game + Expansion Pass)
Assuming a physical game card includes the pass
Nintendo lists a physical Pokémon Pokopia Switch 2 edition, but a standard base-game listing does not automatically include the Expansion Pass. Only a listing that explicitly says it is a bundle should be treated as including both products.
Expecting all areas on the purchase date
The pass is released in parts. Part 1 is Bubbly Basin; Part 2 and Part 3 follow their own schedules. A successful purchase therefore does not mean every future area can be downloaded immediately.
Looking for the recipe as a normal item
The Dynamic Ditto print is claimed through Downloadable Content > Check Items > Receive. It is not an extra physical item and does not need to be located in a storage box.
Confusing a received bonus with area access
The recipe and the ingot gift are purchase bonuses. Bubbly Basin access separately depends on Dive and the Bleak Beach request, so receiving either bonus does not prove that the underwater gate should already be open.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Quick decision guide
| What you see | Most likely next action |
|---|---|
| The pass was purchased, but no recipe appears | Update Pokémon Pokopia to at least version 1.1.0, then open + > Downloadable Content > Check Items. |
| The recipe appears, but the ingot code fails | Confirm Mystery Gifts has unlocked, the profile is Nintendo Account-linked, the console is online, and the code is entered before August 31, 2027. |
| The code was accepted, but no ingots are available | Finish the in-game claim by September 30, 2027; code redemption and reward collection have separate deadlines. |
| Bubbly Basin is not accessible | Learn Dive and complete “Raise the environment level!” in Bleak Beach, then check for updates. |
| The DLC is absent from the console | Check the purchasing user’s virtual game card and use Options > Download Data when that purchase method applies. |
| Every check succeeds but access is still missing | Contact Nintendo Support with the purchasing account, software version, and steps already completed. |
What to verify before purchasing
- The product page is for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Pokémon Pokopia’s Expansion Pass.
- You already own, or are buying, the full Pokémon Pokopia game.
- The displayed price and release schedule match your region and the date of purchase.
- You understand that Part 1 content and purchase bonuses have different claim methods.
- You can access the Nintendo Account email used for the transaction if you want the rare-Pokémetal bonus.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Expansion Pass include Pokémon Pokopia?
No. Nintendo states that the full version of the game is required to use its DLC. Buy the base game separately unless a product page explicitly identifies a bundle.
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to claim the ingots?
No. Mystery Gifts need an internet connection and a Nintendo Account-linked profile, but Nintendo says this bonus does not require Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Can I redeem the Dynamic Ditto recipe without an emailed code?
Yes. The recipe is claimed in the game through + > Downloadable Content > Check Items > Receive. The emailed code is for the separate 30-ingot bonus.
Why can I claim the recipe but not enter Bubbly Basin?
Recipe delivery and area access are separate. Learn Dive and complete “Raise the environment level!” in Bleak Beach, then confirm the game is updated.
Best Value
- Don the role of a Pokémon Trainer as you travel through Kanto
- Discover a new species of Pokémon with the Pokémon Lets Go series
- Catch Pokémon in the wild using a gentle throwing motion with either a Joy-Con controller or a Poké Ball Plus accessory, which will light up, vibrate, and make sounds to bring your adventure to life
- See the world in style by customizing Pikachu and your Trainer with a selection of outfits
- Connect to Pokémon GO* to transfer caught Kanto-region Pokémon, including Alolan and Shiny forms, as well as the newly discovered Pokémon, Meltan, from that game to this one
What if I enter the ingot code after August 31, 2027?
Nintendo lists August 31, 2027 as the code-redemption deadline. Enter it by that date; after redemption, claim the in-game gift no later than September 30, 2027.
Can another profile claim the same ingot bonus?
Nintendo says the bonus may be claimed only once. Use the eligible Nintendo Account-linked profile and do not expect a second claim on another profile.
Is the listed $34.99 price guaranteed?
No. The US announcement displayed $34.99, but prices and availability are region- and time-sensitive. Check the current Nintendo eShop or Nintendo Store listing for your account.
Why is there no download button for a future part?
The pass releases in parts. Part 2 is scheduled for late 2026 and Part 3 for 2027, so unreleased content will not necessarily appear as downloadable data yet. Check the current regional listing for revised dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Expansion Pass include Pokémon Pokopia?
No. The full Nintendo Switch 2 game is required unless a product page explicitly identifies a bundle.
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online for the ingot bonus?
No. You need internet access and a Nintendo Account-linked profile, but Nintendo says Nintendo Switch Online is not required.
How do I claim the Dynamic Ditto recipe?
Update to version 1.1.0 or later, then choose + > Downloadable Content > Check Items > Receive.
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Why is Bubbly Basin still closed?
Learn Dive and complete “Raise the environment level!” in Bleak Beach. Buying the pass alone does not bypass those requirements.
What are the ingot deadlines?
Redeem the emailed code by August 31, 2027, and claim the in-game reward by September 30, 2027.
Can the ingot bonus be claimed more than once?
No. Nintendo says the bonus may be claimed only once.
The Bottom Line
Own the full Switch 2 game, update Pokémon Pokopia, claim the Dynamic Ditto recipe from Downloadable Content, and use the emailed code in Mystery Gifts before its deadline. For Bubbly Basin, learn Dive and finish Bleak Beach’s “Raise the environment level!” request. If content is still missing, verify the purchasing account, virtual game card download status, and software updates before contacting Nintendo Support.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

