How to GameShare Pokémon Pokopia on Switch — Play on Switch 1 Explained

TL;DR

• Pokémon Pokopia is a Switch 2 exclusive — it cannot be purchased or played natively on Switch 1
• Switch 1 players can join via GameShare, but only locally over the same Wi-Fi network — online GameShare is not supported on Switch 1
• You need: a Switch 2 with Pokopia installed, a Switch 1, and both on the same Wi-Fi
• The Switch 2 player initiates from the PC in-game: Link Play → Invite Others to Visit → Local Connection
• The Switch 1 player selects GameShare → Join GameShare → Local User from the home screen
• Switch 1 players enter the Switch 2 player’s world in multiplayer — they cannot access the story campaign solo
• If the Switch 2 host ends the session, the Switch 1 player loses access immediately

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Can You Play Pokémon Pokopia on Switch 1?

Pokémon Pokopia is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. It cannot be purchased for Switch 1 and there is no native version available for the original console. However, there is a way for Switch 1 owners to play — through GameShare, Nintendo Switch 2’s game-sharing feature that allows a Switch 2 owner to stream their copy of a game to another nearby console for free.

GameShare is the only way to play Pokopia on Switch 1, and it comes with some important limitations covered below. That said, for players who want to experience Pokopia without buying a Switch 2, it’s a genuinely great option — provided they have a friend who already owns both the console and the game.

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What You Need to GameShare Pokopia

Before getting started, make sure you have all three of the following:

• A Nintendo Switch 2 with Pokémon Pokopia installed (the host console)
• A Nintendo Switch 1 (or Switch Lite) for the second player
• Both consoles in the same room, connected to the same Wi-Fi network

It’s worth noting that online GameShare — where the host streams over the internet — requires GameChat, a Switch 2 feature that Switch 1 does not support. This means local play is the only GameShare option available for Switch 1 players. Keep both consoles close to your router for the best streaming experience, and ensure neither strays too far from the other during the session.

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How to GameShare Pokémon Pokopia on Switch — Step by Step

Once you have everything set up, follow these steps to get the Switch 1 player into the game:

On the Switch 2 (host):

1. Launch Pokémon Pokopia on the Switch 2 console
2. From inside the game, head to the PC and select ‘Link Play’
3. Select ‘Invite Others to Visit’, then choose ‘Local Connection’
4. Select the user you wish to host the session for

On the Switch 1 (guest):

5. From the Switch 1’s home screen, select the GameShare icon
6. Select ‘Join GameShare’, then select ‘Local User’ — the console will now search for active local GameShare sessions
7. When the Pokopia session from the Switch 2 appears, select ‘Join GameShare’

Back on the Switch 2 (host):

8. Once the Switch 1 player has successfully joined, press ‘Start’ to begin the session

That’s all there is to it! The Switch 1 player will now be streaming Pokopia from the Switch 2 and can explore and build alongside the host.

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Important Limitations to Know

There are a few things both players should be aware of before jumping in:

Local only for Switch 1. As mentioned above, Switch 1 consoles cannot use GameShare online. The Switch 2 host can GameShare with other Switch 2 consoles online via GameChat, but Switch 1 players must always be local and on the same Wi-Fi network.

Multiplayer world only. When a Switch 1 player joins via GameShare, they enter the Switch 2 host’s world in multiplayer mode. They cannot access the solo story campaign, and no items or Pokémon found during a GameShare session carry over to a separate save file. The save belongs entirely to the Switch 2 host.

Session ends with the host. If the Switch 2 player closes Pokopia at any point, the Switch 1 player’s session ends immediately. The Switch 1 player cannot continue playing independently and will need to be invited back into another GameShare session.

One guest per session. GameShare currently allows the host to share with one additional console per session, so if you’re hoping to play with multiple Switch 1 friends at once, only one can join this way at a time.

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GameShare vs. Buying Pokopia — Which Is Right for You?

If you’re a Switch 1 owner regularly playing with a Switch 2 friend who owns Pokopia, GameShare is a great way to enjoy the game together. However, it does come with the constraints above — particularly the fact that you can’t progress independently or keep any items you find.

For players who want to play solo, build their own world, or simply have consistent access to the game, the only option is upgrading to a Switch 2 and purchasing Pokopia outright. Once you do make that jump, our guide on how to increase your storage in Pokémon Pokopia is a great place to start — you’ll be filling up your bag faster than you expect.

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Frequently Asked Questions