„Pokémon Pokopia“: Nintendo stock rises after successful release

Nintendo seems to have landed a surprising success with „Pokémon Pokopia“: The physical game card version of the life simulation game for the Switch 2 is difficult to obtain worldwide because Nintendo has apparently underestimated the demand. Nintendo's stock price has risen by more than 10 percent since the release of „Pokémon Pokopia“ on March 5. The stock price of developer Koei Tecmo also increased by almost 10 percent.

„Pokémon Pokopia“ is a life simulation game in the style of „Animal Crossing“ – with pocket monsters. Players take on the role of the shapeshifting Pokémon Ditto and must rebuild the largely destroyed game world and establish habitats for other pocket monsters. The game was jointly developed by Koei Tecmo's Studio Omega Force and Game Freak.

Price rises in the USA

Nintendo and Omega Force parent Koei Tecmo have not yet released any official sales figures for „Pokémon Pokopia“. However, the scarcity of physical editions suggests that „Pokopia“ is selling significantly better than Nintendo and Koei Tecmo expected.

In the USA, demand has reportedly even caused Amazon to increase the price of the physical edition of „Pokémon Pokopia“, reports IGN. Amazon is now charging 80 US dollars instead of the originally advertised 70 US dollars. The digital version continues to be offered for 70 US dollars.

In Germany, both the disc version and the digital version of „Pokémon Pokopia“ (starting from 68,90 €) can be purchased from Amazon for 70 euros. However, those who want to buy „Pokopia“ on disc must expect slightly longer waiting times: Amazon currently indicates a delivery time of over a week.

„Pokopia“ as a potential system seller

Nintendo's rising stock price is likely due to the hope that „Pokémon Pokopia“ will develop into a so-called „system seller“ – a game that also boosts demand for consoles. The Switch 2 has sold well worldwide, a total of 17 million units by the end of 2025[Link to article 5020996]. This is a good start, but it doesn't match the buzz around the previous console.

In addition, Nintendo's stock has come under pressure due to the memory crisis and US tariffs, which are squeezing the Japanese company's profit margins. Like many other companies, Nintendo has sued the US government after the US Supreme Court's decision to declare the Trump tariffs partially unlawful. Nintendo is seeking reimbursement for lost profits plus interest due to the tariffs. The amount involved is unclear.

(dahe)