Pokemon Pokopia isn’t a Switch 1 game, but there’s still a way you can play on the console

Pokemon Pokopia is the franchise’s first foray into the Animal Crossing avenue of games, allowing you to really make an island your own through foraging and attracting other Pokemon.

While this sounds amazing, the main issue is that if you’re an original Switch console owner, you’re going to be left wanting.

That’s because at this moment, Pokopia is a Switch 2 exclusive. However, all hope is not lost, as there is a workaround where you can get the game running on that older tech.

You can play Pokemon Pokopia on the original Nintendo Switch

So, Pokopia isn’t coming to Switch 1 in the traditional way but there is a magic trick you can perform to play the game on the console.

The way this is done is via the GameShare feature on Switch 2, allowing a friend to play the game you own without them actually needing a copy themselves.

Luckily, this is a cross-generation feature, making it perfect for Pokopia, as it has a few different multiplayer avenues.

There are a couple of drawbacks you’ll need to consider though.

The first of these is that GameShare only works over local wireless connection, meaning you will have to be in very close proximity to the host in order to play Pokopia on Switch 1.

Second, since this will be multiplayer, you are constrained to a separate island from that of the main story, with no progress being made there and nothing carried over in terms of items or Pokemon found.

Despite these, at least you’ll be able to get in on some cozy Pokopia action if you haven’t upgraded to the new Switch console yet.

Yes, you will have to have that one kind friend who both purchases the game and allows you to join up, but Pokemon is always better when you can share the experience, no matter which title in the franchise it is.