If you have been eyeing Pokémon Pokopia and wondering whether you can rope in a friend without them having to buy their own copy, the answer is yes, but with some fairly notable limitations you should know about upfront. Pokémon Pokopia does support the Nintendo Switch 2’s GameShare feature, which means you can share a single copy of the game with a friend or family member without needing a second purchase. Unfortunately, though, the feature is considerably more restricted than you might expect.Here is exactly how it works and how to set it up.
Pokémon Pokopia GameShare vs Link Play: What Is the Difference?
Before getting into the steps, it is worth understanding the difference between GameShare and regular Link Play in Pokémon Pokopia, as the two are often confused.
| Mode | Max Players | Guests | Location | Requirements |
| GameShare | 2 total | 1 guest | Palette Town only | Host needs Switch 2 and a copy of the game; guest connects via local wireless or GameChat |
| Link Play (Local/Online) | 4 total | Up to 3 visitors | Any town | All players must own the game; Nintendo Switch Online required for online play |
GameShare is specifically designed for situations where only one player owns the game. It supports 2 players total, which is the host plus 1 guest. The guest can join on either a Nintendo Switch 2 or a Nintendo Switch 1 console.
Link Play, on the other hand, supports up to 4 players total but requires every player to own their own copy of Pokémon Pokopia.
Where Can You Use GameShare in Pokémon Pokopia?
GameShare in Pokémon Pokopia only works in Palette Town. It does not work in any other area of the game, and the GameShare option will not appear if you access a PC anywhere else.
Palette Town is an optional island that you access by travelling west from the Pokémon Center in Withered Wasteland and crossing the water. To reach Palette Town for the first time, you need to complete a habitat to attract Hitmonchan and then complete its request to learn Rock Smash. However, it is recommended that you progress further through the game and learn additional moves before travelling there.
Once you have built a home in Palette Town, you can fast travel there at any time by pressing the Plus Button to open the Pokédex, selecting Return Home, and then selecting Palette Town.
How to Host a GameShare Session in Pokémon Pokopia
Option 1: GameShare with Nearby Players (Local Wireless)
- Step 1: Start Pokémon Pokopia from the HOME Menu and press A on the title screen.
- Step 2: Travel to Palette Town.
- Step 3: Access the PC in Palette Town and select Link Play.
- Step 4: If this is your first time using Link Play, read the important notes, select Understood, and review the information about playing with others.
- Step 5: Select Invite Others to Visit, then select GameShare.
- Step 6: If this is your first time using GameShare in this game, review the additional details about how it works.
- Step 7: Select With Nearby Players.
- Step 8: Wait for your guest to join using the steps in the section below. Once they have joined, select Start.
- Step 9: Press B to close the Link Play menus and begin playing together in Palette Town.
To end the session, press the Plus Button to open the Pokédex, press the Minus Button, and select Yes. Alternatively, access the PC, select Link Play, then Close the Connection, then Yes.
Option 2: GameShare via GameChat (Online)
All players who want to use GameShare via GameChat must first join a GameChat room together. The person who creates the GameChat room does not need to be the person who hosts the GameShare session.
- Step 1: Start Pokémon Pokopia from the HOME Menu and press A on the title screen.
- Step 2: Travel to Palette Town.
- Step 3: Access the PC in Palette Town and select Link Play.
- Step 4: Select Invite Others to Visit, then select GameShare.
- Step 5: Select Via GameChat.
- Step 6: Choose the player you want to invite and select OK.
- Step 7: Wait for your guest to join, then select Start once they are connected.
- Step 8: Press B to close the Link Play menus and begin playing together.
To end the session, press the Plus Button to open the Pokédex, press the Minus Button, and select Yes.
How to Join a GameShare Session
Joining via Local Wireless (Nearby Players)
- Step 1: On your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch 1 console, select the GameShare icon on the HOME Menu.
- Step 2: Select Join GameShare, then select A Local User.
- Step 3: Select the user account you want to join with.
- Step 4: Your console will search for nearby sessions. Once you find the session you want, select Join GameShare.
- Step 5: Wait for the host to start the session and enjoy playing together.
To leave the session at any time, press the HOME Button and select Close.
Joining via GameChat (Online)
- Step 1: Once the host sends you an invite, press the C Button to open the C Menu.
- Step 2: On the right side of the screen, select See Invites to GameShare. Alternatively, select the GameShare icon on the HOME Menu and then select A User in a GameChat Session.
- Step 3: Select Join GameShare.
- Step 4: Wait for the host to start the session and enjoy playing together.
To leave the session at any time, press the HOME Button and select Close.
What Can You Do in a GameShare Session?
The guest player has access to all of the same moves that the host player has, which means building, collecting, and exploring in Palette Town are all fully available. However, guests may be limited in how they interact with certain elements of the game.
| Action | Host | Guest |
| Build and place items | Yes | Yes |
| Use host’s unlocked moves | Yes | Yes |
| Break and collect materials | Yes | Yes |
| Interact with Pokémon residents | Yes | Limited |
| Kick or report players | Yes | No |
It is also worth knowing that you can visit a Dream Island with your friend during a GameShare session while in Palette Town. However, Spectator Mode must be turned off when playing in Palette Town.C
Key Takeaways
- GameShare in Pokémon Pokopia is unfortunately limited to Palette Town only and supports just 2 players total, which is the host plus 1 guest
- It is not the same as regular Link Play, which supports up to 4 players but requires everyone to own a copy of the game
- Palette Town is accessible by travelling west from the Pokémon Center in Withered Wasteland, but requires attracting Hitmonchan and learning Rock Smash to unlock for the first time
- The host sets up GameShare via the Pokémon Center PC in Palette Town by selecting Link Play, then Invite Others to Visit, then GameShare
- Guests on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch 1 can join a GameShare session
- You can connect via local wireless (nearby players) or online via GameChat
- The guest has access to all of the host’s unlocked moves but may be limited in some interactions
- Spectator Mode must be turned off when playing in Palette Town during a GameShare session
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