The Pokémon Company has announced the Zorua’s Hide-and-Sneak Contest event for Pokémon Pokopia on Nintendo Switch 2, running from Sunday 19 July to Monday 27 July 2026.
Pokémon Pokopia, co-developed by Game Freak and Omega Force, is available now at retail and digitally via the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2.
Event details and how to join
The event begins when players speak with the Tricky Fox Pokémon located in front of any rebuilt Pokémon Center.
According to the event description, players must initiate the contest by talking to that NPC outside a rebuilt Pokémon Center; Zorua will then explain the mechanics and start the hide-and-seek challenge.
Zorua’s appearance is restricted to towns that have at least one rebuilt Pokémon Center, so players need to ensure they have a functioning center in their town to participate.
Rewards and multiplayer
Participants can earn special in-game rewards for performance in the contest, including trophies tied to completion.
The event supports cooperative participation: players can join contests in another player’s world or on a Cloud Island.
When multiple players take part together, the fastest completion time among all participating players becomes the town’s or Cloud Island’s best record.
Context on Pokémon Pokopia
Pokémon Pokopia stars a Ditto that assumes a human appearance and establishes a life alongside other Pokémon.
Players control Ditto to explore environments, befriend Pokémon, and learn their moves—examples cited by the developer include Bulbasaur’s Leafage to grow greenery and Squirtle’s Water Gun to revive dried plants.
The game emphasizes crafting and town development: players collect materials, build furniture, grow vegetables, and create homes to attract different Pokémon and shape a personalised community.
Technical and design notes
Pokémon Pokopia features a day-night cycle synced to real-world time, dynamic weather, and distinct in-game locations with unique characteristics.
The game’s blend of slow-life mechanics and Pokémon interactions is a continuation of Game Freak and Omega Force’s collaborative approach to expanding the franchise on Nintendo’s latest hardware.
For players looking to participate, ensure your town has at least one rebuilt Pokémon Center, download any available updates from the Nintendo eShop, and visit the Tricky Fox Pokémon between 19 and 27 July 2026 to take part in the Zorua’s Hide-and-Sneak Contest.
Pokémon Pokopia, co-developed by Game Freak and Omega Force, is available now at retail and digitally via the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2.
Event details and how to join
The event begins when players speak with the Tricky Fox Pokémon located in front of any rebuilt Pokémon Center.
According to the event description, players must initiate the contest by talking to that NPC outside a rebuilt Pokémon Center; Zorua will then explain the mechanics and start the hide-and-seek challenge.
Zorua’s appearance is restricted to towns that have at least one rebuilt Pokémon Center, so players need to ensure they have a functioning center in their town to participate.
Rewards and multiplayer
Participants can earn special in-game rewards for performance in the contest, including trophies tied to completion.
The event supports cooperative participation: players can join contests in another player’s world or on a Cloud Island.
When multiple players take part together, the fastest completion time among all participating players becomes the town’s or Cloud Island’s best record.
Context on Pokémon Pokopia
Pokémon Pokopia stars a Ditto that assumes a human appearance and establishes a life alongside other Pokémon.
Players control Ditto to explore environments, befriend Pokémon, and learn their moves—examples cited by the developer include Bulbasaur’s Leafage to grow greenery and Squirtle’s Water Gun to revive dried plants.
The game emphasizes crafting and town development: players collect materials, build furniture, grow vegetables, and create homes to attract different Pokémon and shape a personalised community.
Technical and design notes
Pokémon Pokopia features a day-night cycle synced to real-world time, dynamic weather, and distinct in-game locations with unique characteristics.
The game’s blend of slow-life mechanics and Pokémon interactions is a continuation of Game Freak and Omega Force’s collaborative approach to expanding the franchise on Nintendo’s latest hardware.
For players looking to participate, ensure your town has at least one rebuilt Pokémon Center, download any available updates from the Nintendo eShop, and visit the Tricky Fox Pokémon between 19 and 27 July 2026 to take part in the Zorua’s Hide-and-Sneak Contest.
