After $70 Pokémon Pokopia is confirmed as Nintendo's first game keycard release, fans claim it delivers on its promise

Pokémon Pokopia It cost $70 and was only available as a game key fob, which shocked some Nintendo fans.

The following The game’s release date is confirmed to be March 5, 2026 Earlier today, a store page for the highly anticipated Pokémon life sim went live, detailing its price and status as a Game-Key card game.

In the United States, Pokopia is available Pre-order now for $69.99. Pokopia, meanwhile, costs 8,980 yen in Japan, which is the same price as Mario Kart World ($80 in the U.S.) and more expensive than other Nintendo-published games like Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon Legends: ZA.

Nintendo Japanese website The physical version of Pokopia is specifically listed as a Game-Key card, and while the US doesn't show the same information, Nintendo has posted one on YouTube at the same time video Instructs users on how “Game Keycard on Nintendo Switch 2” works – using Pokémon Pokopia as an example.

Game Key Cards caused controversy among Nintendo fans, who disliked the fact that the cartridges only contained prompts to download the game, rather than complete game data. This means you need to connect your Switch 2 to the Internet after purchasing the game, and then wait for it to download. However, game key fobs differ from digital downloads in that they can still be resold or shared with others – just like regular game cartridges.

Nintendo previously point out It has “no plans to use game key fobs in games developed by Nintendo” – something some fans today pointed out was a broken promise. But of course, Pokémon isn't a Nintendo-exclusive franchise, and Nintendo doesn't develop Pokémon games.

In other words, Nintendo yes Release Pokémon Pokopia, which does appear to be the first game published by Nintendo to be available with a game key fob. But it's also a game developed by Koei Tecmo — which, last time we checked, wasn't a Nintendo development studio.

Earlier today, Nintendo announced that a new trailer for Pokémon Pokopia will debut later this week, Thursday, November 13, at 6am PT, 9am ET, or 2pm UK time. Eagle-eyed fans believe the video will contain over 10 minutes of gameplay, which shows Nintendo is confident in what it's showing off.

Tom Phillips is IGN's news editor. You can contact Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social