Dress Up Your Pokémon in Hats in Pokopia's Part 2 DLC

Most of today's Pokémon Pokopia news was predictable. We already knew Part 1 of the Expansion Pass would take players underwater to Bubbly Basin, and the extended overview trailer released today confirmed what The Pokémon Company teased weeks ago: new water-type Pokémon, floating blocks, underwater farming. All fine, all expected. But tucked into the final seconds of that same trailer was a reveal for Part 2 that caught me completely off guard: you can dress your Pokémon up in accessories. Hats. Ties. Little outfits. I did not have "Pokémon haberdashery" on my 2026 bingo card, and I am absolutely here for it.

As reported by Nintendo Life, the trailer wraps its Bubbly Basin deep dive with a brief first look at Expansion Pass Part 2, arriving later in 2026. Unlike Part 1, Part 2 won't add a new town to explore. Instead, it introduces an accessory system that lets you put hats, ties, and other items on your Pokémon. Snubbull was shown off as one of the new Pokémon joining the game in Part 2, decked out in what looked like a tiny bow tie. The Pokémon Company says more details on Parts 2 and 3 will come in the months ahead.

Bubbly Basin Arrives Next Week

Before any of that, Part 1: Bubbly Basin launches on Switch 2 on 5th August. The DLC adds an underwater town populated by water-types like Popplio, Totodile, and Mudkip, along with exclusive furniture and items. Farming works differently down there; plants now require air to grow, which adds a small wrinkle to the loop. A free software update arriving the same day adds Ditto's new Dive ability for underwater building, so even players who skip the paid DLC get something.

Separately, The Pokémon Company announced a new in-game event called Fetching Scales for Feebas, running from August 13 to August 28, 2026. Feebas will appear in front of any rebuilt Pokémon Center, and players can collect Prism Scales to exchange for swimming-themed furniture like volleyball nets, umbrellas, and life preservers. Arrange those items into a proper habitat and Milotic can move in after the event ends. The event is free for all base game owners but does not take place on Bubbly Basin or Cloud Islands.

Pokopia has been running these free events regularly since launch. Previous ones brought in Hoppip, Skiploom, Jumpluff, Sableye, and Jirachi, each following the same structure: complete tasks, earn items, build habitats, attract new Pokémon. It's a good cadence, and the Feebas event keeps that rhythm going without requiring the paid DLC.

What strikes me about the Part 2 reveal is how it shifts the game's identity. Pokopia has been a town-builder with Pokémon in it. Letting players dress those Pokémon up in accessories turns them into something closer to characters you style and personalise rather than just residents you house. That's a meaningful distinction for a game competing with Animal Crossing for cosy-game attention. Animal Crossing has let you customise your own outfits for years, but dressing up the animals themselves? Pokopia might actually beat Nintendo's own franchise to that idea.

The Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass Part 1: Bubbly Basin launches on Switch 2 on 5th August, with Part 2 following later in 2026.