Loading...
Loading...
Controls and Settings - Version 7 vs Version 8
Mar 29, 2026, 10:25 AM
Convert Mouse Mode activation list to table
Apr 4, 2026, 10:49 AM
Add wikilinks to table cells (1 new links)
11Overview22This 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.44Main Controls66These are the default controls used during normal gameplay. They apply when exploring, interacting with Pokemon, gathering materials, and using moves.88ButtonActionLeft StickMove your characterLeft Stick ClickChange targetRight StickMove cameraRight Stick ClickView habitat bordersAInteract (talk to Pokemon, examine objects, confirm)BPut away held items; Hold to run (default setting)XOpen bag / inventoryYPick up items; Hold to inhale loose items nearbyD-Pad UpAsk a Pokemon to follow you; Hold to part waysD-Pad DownOpen emotes or send messagesD-Pad Left / RightSwap your active moveZRUse your currently equipped moveZLHold to strafe (move sideways while facing forward)RJumpLSet move; Glide (while airborne)Plus (+)Open main menuMinus (-)Open Photo Mode camera1111Run and Jump Button Swap1212By 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.1414Strafing1616Holding 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.1818Inhale Items2020Holding 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.2222Furniture Placement Controls2424When placing furniture or blocks in the world, the controls change to give you precise positioning tools.2626ButtonActionD-Pad UpRaise item heightD-Pad DownLower item heightD-Pad LeftRotate item counterclockwiseD-Pad RightRotate item clockwiseAConfirm placementBCancel placement2828For 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.2929Inventory Controls3131These controls activate when you open the inventory screen (press X).3333ButtonActionASpit out / Take out an itemBGo back / Close inventoryXSwap out selected item; Hold to sort inventoryYTransfer all items (to or from a Storage Box)ZLTransfer half of the selected item stackL / RShow or hide category headersRight Stick ClickShow or hide the Handy Bag quick-access panelPlus (+)Drop selected itemsMinus (-)View detailed item information3535Photo Mode Controls3636Photo 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.3838ButtonActionATake photoBExit Photo ModeXToggle Landscape / Selfie modeYToggle regular / Reference Photo modeZL / ZRZoom out / Zoom inL / RTilt camera; cycle Frame/Filter menusPlus (+)Open Frames and FiltersMinus (-)Hide control guide overlayD-Pad UpMake all subjects look at cameraD-Pad DownChange your character's poseD-Pad Left / RightCycle facial expressionsLeft StickMove characterLeft Stick ClickAdjust camera height (Landscape) / Switch hands (Selfie)Right StickRotate cameraRight Stick ClickReset camera angle4040Mouse Mode4141Pokemon 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.4343How to Activate Mouse Mode4545MethodInstructionsPhysical methodDetach 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 methodNavigate to Game Settings and toggle Mouse Mode on or off in the Mouse Mode section.4747Mouse Mode Controls4848You can assign either the Left or Right Joy-Con as the mouse. The button functions swap depending on which controller is active:5050Active ControllerPrimary ButtonsRight Joy-Con as mouseR and ZR serve as main click buttonsLeft Joy-Con as mouseL and ZL serve as main click buttons5252What You Can Do in Mouse Mode5353Place furniture and blocks with significantly improved accuracy compared to stick controlsPosition items at much greater distances without needing to walk your Ditto to the exact spotUse Rock Smash with enhanced precision for targeted block destruction5555Mouse Mode Limitations5757Rock 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.5959Game Settings6161Access the settings menu by pressing Plus to open the main menu, then navigating to the Settings section. Settings are organized into several tabs.6363Game Tab6565SettingDescriptionButton AssignmentsRemap most controller buttons to your preference; some buttons are locked and cannot be changedRun / Jump SwapSwap B (run) and R (jump) to the alternative layout for easier camera control while sprintingMouse ModeEnable or disable Mouse Mode for Joy-Con pointing controlsCamera DistanceSet to Near, Normal, or Far; Far provides a wider view useful for building and exploringCamera Auto-AdjustToggle whether the camera automatically recenters behind your character during movementCamera Auto-FollowToggle whether the camera tracks your character's direction changes automatically6767Save Settings6868Pokopia 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.7070You 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.7272The 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.7474Multiplayer Settings7676Online 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:7878Invite players to your worldJoin another player's worldCreate a Cloud Island shared between your group8080Online multiplayer requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership and a stable internet connection. Link Play becomes available once you reach Environment Level 2.8282Time and Day/Night8484Pokopia'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.8686Recommended Settings8888Based on community feedback and common gameplay patterns, here are recommended settings adjustments:9090SettingRecommendationReasonRun / Jump SwapEnable (swap to R for run)Frees your right thumb for camera control while sprintingCamera DistanceFarGives a wider view for habitat building, exploring, and spotting PokemonCamera Auto-AdjustOff (personal preference)Prevents the camera from fighting you when you manually position it for buildingMouse ModeTry it for building sessionsDramatically improves placement accuracy for large construction projects
