Controls and Settings

Overview

This page covers every control scheme and setting available in Pokemon Pokopia on the Nintendo Switch 2. Pokopia uses several context-dependent control layouts: one set for general exploration, another for furniture placement, another for inventory management, a dedicated Photo Mode layout, and an optional Mouse Mode for precision building. Most button assignments can be remapped through the Game Settings menu.

Main Controls

These are the default controls used during normal gameplay. They apply when exploring, interacting with Pokemon, gathering materials, and using moves.

Run and Jump Button Swap

By default, you hold B to sprint and press R to jump. This can feel awkward because holding B with your right thumb prevents you from using the Right Stick to adjust the camera at the same time. Pokopia offers a built-in alternative layout that swaps the run and jump buttons, letting you sprint by holding R instead. This frees up your right thumb for camera control while running. You can find this option in the Game Settings menu under button assignments.

Strafing

Holding ZL activates strafe mode, which lets you move side-to-side while keeping the camera facing forward. This is extremely useful during building and furniture placement, as it gives you precise lateral movement for aligning objects without the camera swinging around.

Inhale Items

Holding Y causes your Ditto to inhale nearby loose items (dropped materials, harvested resources) in a manner similar to Kirby's vacuum ability. This is far more efficient than picking up items one at a time, though your inventory capacity limits how much you can absorb.

Furniture Placement Controls

When placing furniture or blocks in the world, the controls change to give you precise positioning tools.

For large-scale building projects, consider using Mouse Mode (see below) for more accurate placement, especially when positioning items far from your character or stacking blocks at awkward angles.

Inventory Controls

These controls activate when you open the inventory screen (press X).

Photo Mode Controls

Photo Mode has its own control layout that activates when you open the camera. For a full breakdown of Photo Mode features, see the dedicated Photo Mode article.

Mouse Mode

Pokemon Pokopia supports the Nintendo Switch 2's Mouse Mode, which turns a Joy-Con into a pointing device for precision control. This is particularly powerful for building and block placement.

How to Activate Mouse Mode

• Physical method: Detach Joy-Con 2 (right controller) from the console, attach the wrist strap, and hold it colored-side down on a flat surface like a table. A cursor will appear on screen automatically.

• Settings method: Navigate to Game Settings and toggle Mouse Mode on or off in the Mouse Mode section.

Mouse Mode Controls

You can assign either the Left or Right Joy-Con as the mouse. The button functions swap depending on which controller is active:

What You Can Do in Mouse Mode

• Place furniture and blocks with significantly improved accuracy compared to stick controls

• Position items at much greater distances without needing to walk your Ditto to the exact spot

• Use Rock Smash with enhanced precision for targeted block destruction

Mouse Mode Limitations

Rock Smash is the only move available in Mouse Mode. To use other moves (Water, Chop, Grow, or any other specialty transformation), you must lift the Joy-Con off the table to return to standard controller mode. Mouse Mode is designed specifically for building and block manipulation, not for full gameplay.

Game Settings

Access the settings menu by pressing Plus to open the main menu, then navigating to the Settings section. Settings are organized into several tabs.

Game Tab

Save Settings

Pokopia uses an autosave system. An icon appears in the upper-left corner of the screen whenever the game is autosaving. Do not exit the game or turn off the console while this icon is visible.

You can also save manually by pressing Minus while in the main menu. This performs a save-and-quit, returning you to the title screen. Manual saving is recommended before ending a session to ensure all progress is recorded.

The game supports one save file per console profile. To maintain a second save, create an additional user profile on your Nintendo Switch 2. There is no in-game option for multiple save slots on a single profile.

Multiplayer Settings

Online and local multiplayer for up to four players is accessed through the Link Play option on the PC terminal inside any Pokemon Center. Options include:

• Invite players to your world

• Join another player's world

• Create a Cloud Island shared between your group

Online multiplayer requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership and a stable internet connection. Link Play becomes available once you reach Environment Level 2.

Time and Day/Night

Pokopia's day and night cycle runs on real-world time. There is no in-game setting to speed up or slow down the clock. If you need to skip ahead (for example, to trigger nighttime Pokemon spawns or refresh treasure blocks for Mystery Slates), you can adjust the date and time in your Nintendo Switch 2's system settings (Settings > Date and Time > turn off internet synchronization > adjust manually). When you return to the game, the in-game world will reflect the new time.

Recommended Settings

Based on community feedback and common gameplay patterns, here are recommended settings adjustments: