Overview
Bulbasaur's Jump Rope Contest is a limited-time event in Pokemon Pokopia that runs from April 19 to April 27, 2026. During the contest, players compete in an enhanced version of the Jump Rope mini-game with special milestone-based rewards that go far beyond the standard daily prizes. The event is notable for being the primary way to earn large quantities of Pokemetal and Rare Pokemetal, making it especially valuable for players looking to 3D print Fossils and large decoration items.
Event Details
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Duration | April 19, 2026 (5:00 AM local time) to April 27, 2026 (4:59 AM local time) |
Length | Approximately one week |
Location | Any Pokemon Center (must be rebuilt) |
Restriction | Not available on Cloud Islands |
Players | 1-4 (supports local wireless and online multiplayer) |
Like other Pokopia events, the contest uses the Nintendo Switch 2's system clock for timing. Players can adjust their console's Date and Time settings to access the event outside its official window.
How to Participate
Rebuild the Pokemon Center in at least one area of your island.
During the event period, talk to Bulbasaur at any rebuilt Pokemon Center to start the contest.
Play Jump Rope and reach jump milestones to earn escalating rewards.
Rewards are claimed automatically as you hit each milestone during a single session.
The contest is available at any Pokemon Center that has been fully rebuilt. It is not available on Cloud Islands (the multiplayer islands).
Gameplay Mechanics
The contest follows the same core mechanics as the standard Jump Rope mini-game. Bulbasaur extends its vines and swings them in a circle, and the player (as Ditto) must jump over the vines as they pass. Press R when the rope approaches the ground to jump. The game ends when you trip on the vines.
Speed Changes
Bulbasaur periodically adjusts the rope speed as you progress. Two visual cues signal upcoming changes:
Exclamation mark (!) above Bulbasaur's head: The rope is about to speed up. Prepare to adjust your timing.
Sweating animation: The rope is about to slow down, giving you a brief window to recover your rhythm.
For the first 50 jumps, speed increases occur every 10 successful jumps. Beyond 50 jumps, Bulbasaur's pace becomes more erratic and unpredictable, making it harder to maintain a streak.
Timing Tips
Jump when the rope is approximately 30 degrees above the ground for optimal timing. Jumping too early or too late causes a trip. Listen for the whip sound of the vine as an audio cue, and use the bottom of the Pokemon Center's door as a visual reference point for when the rope reaches its lowest position.
Reward Tiers
The contest offers escalating rewards at specific jump milestones. All rewards are earned in a single continuous session. If you trip, you keep any rewards earned up to that point, but you must start from zero on your next attempt.
Jump Count | Reward |
|---|---|
1 | Leppa Berry x1 |
11 | Honey x3 |
21 | Star Piece x1, Large Lost Relic x3 |
31 | Rainbow Feather x3 |
41 | Silver Feather x3 |
51 | Jump Rope Trophy x1 |
76 | Pokemetal x30 |
101 | Rare Pokemetal x10 |
111 | Rare Pokemetal x10 |
121 | Rare Pokemetal x10 |
131 | Rare Pokemetal x10 |
The maximum amount of Rare Pokemetal obtainable from a single session is 40 (10 each at 101, 111, 121, and 131 jumps). Rare Pokemetal is used to 3D print Fossils and large decoration items, with each item requiring at least two Rare Pokemetal.
The Jump Rope Trophy earned at 51 jumps is a decorative furniture item that displays the date you earned it along with your personal best score. It can be placed in your settlement as a keepsake.
Multiplayer Mode
The contest supports up to 4 players through local wireless or online multiplayer. To start a multiplayer session, invite friends to your world and then talk to Bulbasaur at a Pokemon Center.
Important: Only the host player earns and claims contest rewards. Guests who join a multiplayer session do not receive milestone prizes directly. However, guests can claim participation rewards through the PC terminal under "Get Items" > "Gifts From Pokemon You Played With."
Spectator Controls
Players who get eliminated during a multiplayer session gain the ability to influence the rope speed for remaining players:
Press A to speed up the rope (makes it harder for active jumpers).
Press B to slow down the rope (helps active jumpers maintain their streak).
This mechanic adds a cooperative (or competitive) layer to multiplayer sessions. Coordinating with friends to slow the rope after Bulbasaur speeds it up is a useful strategy for reaching high milestones.
Tips for High Scores
Watch for the exclamation mark. When you see the (!) appear above Bulbasaur's head, a speed increase is coming. Anticipate the change and adjust your timing before the rope actually speeds up.
Use the sweating cue to recover. When Bulbasaur starts sweating, the rope slows down. Use these moments to reset your rhythm if you have been struggling with timing.
Listen for the whip sound. The audio cue of the vine snapping as it swings provides consistent timing. This is especially helpful once the visual speed becomes erratic past 50 jumps.
Use the door as a reference. The bottom of the Pokemon Center's door aligns roughly with where you should start your jump input. Anchoring your timing to this visual marker helps maintain consistency.
Jump at 30 degrees. Press R when the rope is roughly 30 degrees above the ground, not when it reaches the very bottom. This gives you the best window for clearing it.
Play multiplayer for an advantage. In a multiplayer session, eliminated friends can press B to slow the rope for you. This effectively counters Bulbasaur's speed increases and makes reaching 131+ jumps much more manageable.
Practice in standard Jump Rope first. The regular Jump Rope mini-game uses identical mechanics. Practice your timing there before spending attempts on the contest.
Comparison to Standard Jump Rope
The contest differs from the standard Jump Rope mini-game in several ways:
Feature | Standard Jump Rope | Jump Rope Contest |
|---|---|---|
Availability | Anytime (after unlocking) | April 19-27, 2026 only |
Rewards | Copper Ore, Honey, Small Lost Relic | Leppa Berry, Honey, Star Piece, Large Lost Relic, Rainbow Feather, Silver Feather, Trophy, Pokemetal, Rare Pokemetal |
Daily Limit | ~20 games per day | No daily cap on attempts |
Comfort Boost | Yes (once per day) | Yes (once per day) |