Bubbly Basin & Expansion Pass Guide for Pokopia
Pokemon Pokopia's Bubbly Basin underwater expansion is out now — it released August 5, 2026. The free Dive update, the Expansion Pass, the playable demo at Worlds 2026, and every new Pokemon revealed so far.
What Is the Bubbly Basin Expansion Pass?
Bubbly Basin is the first part of the Pokemon Pokopia Expansion Pass, an aquatic adventure that adds a brand-new underwater town to develop alongside your main paradise. It is out now — the content unlocked on August 5, 2026. The Expansion Pass is paid DLC ($34.99) on the Nintendo eShop; the free Version 2.0 update that adds Dive is available to everyone. Bubbly Basin was revealed during the June 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct.
Released August 5, 2026 — Out Now
Both the Bubbly Basin expansion and the free Version 2.0 update released on August 5, 2026. Two things landed together: a free update for every player, and the paid Expansion Pass content for owners. You don't need the Expansion Pass to get the new Dive ability — that part is free for everyone. Note that an August 26 date circulated widely before the announcement; it was never official, and the real release came three weeks earlier than that rumour suggested.
The Dive Ability (Free v2.0 Update)
Version 2.0 is a free update that introduces a new Dive ability for all players, no Expansion Pass required. Dive lets you and your Ditto travel beneath the surface and explore underwater areas for the first time. It's the traversal change that makes the new undersea content reachable across Pokopia.
New Pokemon in Bubbly Basin
The Pokemon officially revealed ahead of launch are the Popplio line, the Mudkip line, and the Corphish line, plus Manaphy — the Generation 4 Mythical Water-type — which plays a central role in the new underwater area. Now that Bubbly Basin is live, the full roster is being confirmed in-game. PokoTraqr's Pokedex does not carry the Bubbly Basin Pokemon yet: we add entries once their habitats and comfort preferences are verified rather than guessed, so expect them to appear in batches over the coming days rather than all at once.
Ocean-Floor Furniture & Ditto Outfits
Alongside the new town and Pokemon, Bubbly Basin adds ocean-floor-themed furniture to decorate with and new outfits for your Ditto. These are not in PokoTraqr's Item Database or customisation pages yet — they are being added as the new items are confirmed in-game.
Bubbly Basin at PokemonXP & Worlds 2026
Nintendo's booth at PokemonXP and the 2026 Pokemon World Championships — San Francisco, August 28 to 30, 2026 — has hosted a hands-on Bubbly Basin demo for badged attendees. There has never been a publicly downloadable version. It is also not a way to play early: the expansion itself released on August 5, 2026, so anyone with the Expansion Pass already has all of Bubbly Basin. The remaining roster is confirmed in-game rather than announced, which is why PokoTraqr adds each Pokemon as its habitat and comfort data is verified.
The Three-Part Roadmap
The Expansion Pass rolls out in three parts. Part 1 is Bubbly Basin (August 5, 2026). Part 2 arrives in late 2026 with additional features to help develop your paradise. Part 3 is planned for 2027 and adds another all-new town. Bubbly Basin is the start of a long content runway, not a one-off drop.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Pokopia Bubbly Basin expansion release?
It is out now. Bubbly Basin and the free Version 2.0 update both released on August 5, 2026. Earlier coverage circulated an August 26 date that was never official — the real release came three weeks earlier.
How much is the Pokopia Expansion Pass?
The Pokemon Pokopia Expansion Pass costs $34.99 on the Nintendo eShop. The Version 2.0 update that adds the Dive ability is free for all players and does not require the pass.
What new Pokemon are in Bubbly Basin?
Confirmed ahead of launch: the Popplio line, the Mudkip line, the Corphish line, and the Mythical Pokemon Manaphy. Bubbly Basin is now live, so the rest of the roster is being confirmed in-game — PokoTraqr adds each one once its habitat and comfort data is verified.
Is the Pokopia Dive update free?
Yes. The Dive ability arrived in the free Version 2.0 update on August 5, 2026, and is available to every player without buying the Expansion Pass.
Can I play Bubbly Basin at PokemonXP or Worlds 2026?
Only in person, and only with a badge. Nintendo's booth has run a hands-on Bubbly Basin demo at PokemonXP and the 2026 Pokemon World Championships in San Francisco, August 28 to 30, 2026, and there has never been a publicly downloadable version. You do not need the event either way — the expansion released on August 5, 2026, so the Expansion Pass already gives you all of Bubbly Basin.
What is Bubbly Basin in Pokopia?
Bubbly Basin is a new underwater town introduced in Part 1 of the Pokemon Pokopia Expansion Pass, where you develop an undersea settlement and encounter Pokemon that live beneath the sea.