Pokémon Pokopia has claimed Game of the Year at the Japan Game Awards, giving the Pokémon brand a major win during its 30th-anniversary year.
Pokémon Pokopia wins three major honours
The Japan Game Awards were held on 15 September 2026, with Pokémon Pokopia taking home the top prize. The game also received an Award for Excellence, while the Pokémon franchise earned the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Award.
The result arrives while several high-profile 2026 releases are still ahead, including Grand Theft Auto 6 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Even so, Pokopia faced strong competition from games such as Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata, alongside 2025 releases including Ghost of Yōtei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Kirby Air Riders.
Eligible games were those released in Japan between 1 June 2025 and 31 May 2026. That makes Pokopia an unusual award winner: it can be viewed either as the final Game of the Year victor for 2025 or as an early contender for the 2026 awards season.
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Pokopia has already become a major Switch 2 success
Developed by Game Freak and Omega Force, Pokémon Pokopia has sold more than 5 million copies since its March release. It is currently the Nintendo Switch 2’s second-best-selling game, behind Mario Kart World, which benefited from being bundled with the console at launch.
The game’s first expansion has a water theme and adds the Bubbly Basin region, along with new Pokémon to befriend. A second expansion is planned for release sometime in 2026 and will introduce additional Pokémon and a large selection of accessories.
Its mix of exploration, collection and customisation gives Pokopia a broad appeal that extends beyond traditional role-playing game audiences. For readers planning a dedicated gaming setup, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide can help with choosing the right format, while arcade machines offer a larger centrepiece for a games room.
A landmark result for Pokémon’s anniversary year
Winning Game of the Year while the franchise celebrates three decades makes the Japan Game Awards result especially significant. Alongside its commercial performance and two additional honours, the award places Pokémon Pokopia among the defining games of this anniversary period.
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