Fans Voice Concerns Over $70 Pokémon Pokopia as First Nintendo Game-Key Card Release

Nintendo fans brace themselves as Pokémon Pokopia is set to hit shelves with a twist — the game will only be available in a physical format as a Game-Key Card. The announcement has caught many by surprise, particularly because of the game’s pricing.

Following the revelation of the game’s March 5, 2026 release date, new details have been unveiled on store pages, confirming the eagerly awaited Pokémon life simulation’s price and unique distribution method.

Pokémon Pokopia: Pricing and Availability

In the United States, Pokémon Pokopia is currently up for pre-order at a price of $69.99. Meanwhile, fans in Japan can expect to pay 8,980 yen for the game — a price tag that matches Mario Kart World ($80 in the U.S.) and surpasses other Nintendo titles like Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

The Game-Key Card Controversy

Nintendo’s Japanese website confirms that Pokopia will be sold as a Game-Key card. Although this information isn’t mirrored on the U.S. site, Nintendo has released a YouTube video explaining the functionality of “Game-Key Cards on Nintendo Switch 2” using Pokémon Pokopia as a case study. This move has sparked debate among fans, as these cards require an online connection to download the game, despite being physically sold. The silver lining is that, unlike digital purchases, these cards can still be resold or shared, mimicking the flexibility of traditional cartridges.

Breaking New Ground

Previously, Nintendo had indicated it would not utilize Game-Key Cards for its first-party developed titles, leading some to see this as a reversal. However, since Pokémon is not entirely owned by Nintendo and is developed by Koei Tecmo, the situation is nuanced. Nonetheless, Pokémon Pokopia marks the first time a Nintendo-published game adopts the Game-Key Card format.

Adding to the excitement, Nintendo has announced that a new trailer for Pokémon Pokopia will premiere later this week on Thursday, November 13 at 6am Pacific, 9am Eastern, or 2pm UK. Rumors suggest the video will showcase over 10 minutes of gameplay, indicating Nintendo’s confidence in its upcoming release.