Overview
- Pokémon Pokopia was named Game of the Year at the Japan Game Awards on Sept. 15, 2026, and also received an Award for Excellence.
- The awards considered games released in Japan from June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026 and winners were chosen by a selection committee together with a public vote.
- Polygon and other reports say Pokopia has sold more than 5 million copies since its March release, making it the Nintendo Switch 2’s second‑best seller, and the game has shipped a water‑themed expansion that adds the Bubbly Basin region with a second expansion announced for later this year.
- Shigeru Ohmori of Game Freak accepted the Game of the Year trophy and attributed the win to long‑running fan support during the franchise’s 30th anniversary.
- The ceremony also awarded the Pokémon franchise the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award and trophies for excellence to high‑profile titles such as Death Stranding 2 and Resident Evil Requiem, a result that may boost Pokopia’s cultural profile and encourage further post‑launch content and sales.