Pokopia DLC: Is Bubbly Basin Worth It? Price & Dive
Pokopia DLC guide for the Expansion Pass price, Bubbly Basin paid town, free Dive update, bonuses, release schedule, and buy-or-wait advice.
Quick answer
Yes, Pokémon Pokopia has DLC. The paid Expansion Pass costs US$34.99 in the US and releases in three parts. The current US Nintendo Store listing dates Bubbly Basin, the first paid town, to October 31, 2026; Dive remains a free Version 2.0 update announced for August 2026 without a public day. Buy now only if you want the paid towns and bonuses; wait if you mainly want to try Dive or see the first town before paying.
Buy-or-wait advice
Buy the Expansion Pass now only if you already want the paid towns, the Ditto-pattern purchase bonus, and access when Part 1 opens. Wait if your main question is “can I try underwater movement?” because Dive is free in Version 2.0. Also wait if you want to see the final Bubbly Basin map, Pokémon roster, and furniture list before paying.
| Player goal | What you need |
|---|---|
| Learn Dive and unlock underwater exploration | Free Version 2.0 update + required Bleak Beach / Surf / jump progression |
| Enter Bubbly Basin | Free Version 2.0 update + paid Expansion Pass + required Dive progression |
| Claim Ditto-pattern and early-purchase bonuses | Paid Expansion Pass |
| Decide whether the paid town is worth it | Wait for Part 1 footage, map data, and reward details |
Release schedule
| Stage | When | What's new | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Version 2.0 update | August 2026 | Ditto learns Dive · underwater exploration opens to every player | Free |
| Part 1 — Bubbly Basin | October 31, 2026 US Store | A brand-new underwater town: new Pokémon, furniture and a Ditto costume | Paid |
| Part 2 | Late 2026 | New features — no new town | Paid |
| Part 3 | 2027 | A new town to explore and rebuild | Paid |
The Expansion Pass went on sale on June 10, 2026. The free Dive update is still an August window; the current US Store date for the paid Part 1 town is October 31. Check the US Bubbly Basin Store listing before treating that date as a global release time.
How to enter Bubbly Basin
Bubbly Basin is the first paid town in the Expansion Pass. Buying the pass alone is not enough; you still need the free update and the right save progress.
- Complete the Raise the environment level! request in **Bleak Beach**.
- Learn the Surf move and make sure you have the ability to jump.
- Install the August Version 2.0 update and learn Dive when it is available.
Until Part 1 launches, treat Bubbly Basin as upcoming DLC rather than a live area on the map.
Price and bonuses
The Expansion Pass is US$34.99 in the US, with regional pricing varying by country. Version 2.0 is free; you pay only for the pass content.
| Free Version 2.0 update | Paid Expansion Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | US$34.99 |
| What you get | Dive + underwater exploration | New towns & features, across three parts |
| Who needs it | Every player | Optional — only for the paid towns |
| Bonus | What you get | How to claim |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase bonus | Recipe for dynamic Ditto print blocks & wallpaper | In-game menu → Downloadable Content → Check Items → Receive |
| Early-purchase bonus | 30 rare Pokémetal ingots | Buy the pass by Aug 31, 2027 |
The 30 Pokémetal ingots arrive as a code emailed to your Nintendo Account, then claimed in-game via Mystery Gifts (code valid through Sep 30, 2027; needs an internet connection). The Ditto recipe is a craftable blueprint — make the all-over Ditto print blocks and wallpaper at the workbench in-game.
Need a narrower answer?
- Use the Bubbly Basin guide if your search is really about the town itself, its release window, or whether it is already on the map.
- Use How to unlock Bubbly Basin if you already bought the pass and only need the entry checklist.
- Use the Pokopia Dive update guide if your real question is whether underwater exploration is free.
This guide sticks to announced DLC content and does not list leaked Pokémon, guessed furniture, or unannounced town details.
FAQ
How much is Pokémon Pokopia DLC?
The paid Expansion Pass costs US$34.99 in the US. Regional pricing varies, and the free Version 2.0 update does not require buying the pass.
Is Bubbly Basin free?
No. Bubbly Basin is Part 1 of the paid Expansion Pass. The free Version 2.0 update adds Dive and underwater exploration, but the Bubbly Basin town itself needs the paid pass.
Is the Pokémon Pokopia DLC free?
Partly. The Version 2.0 update is free and adds Dive plus underwater exploration for every player. The Expansion Pass is paid DLC and adds Bubbly Basin plus later paid content.
When does Bubbly Basin release?
The current US Nintendo Store listing gives Bubbly Basin an October 31, 2026 release date. The free Version 2.0 Dive update remains an August 2026 window without a public day. Nintendo's older support and news pages still use the earlier August wording, so check the Store listing for the paid-town date.
Do I need the Expansion Pass to use Dive?
No. Dive is part of the free Version 2.0 update, so every player can unlock the move and use underwater exploration routes. The Expansion Pass is only needed for the paid towns and paid features.
Why can't I enter Bubbly Basin after buying?
Buying the Expansion Pass is not enough by itself. You still need to complete the Bleak Beach environment-level request, learn Surf, have the ability to jump, install Version 2.0, and learn Dive before Bubbly Basin can open.
What should I do before buying the Expansion Pass?
Check that you want the paid towns, then make sure your save can reach Bubbly Basin: finish the Bleak Beach environment-level request, learn Surf, have the ability to jump, and install the August Version 2.0 update for Dive.