Image via Pokémon
It’s been a few weeks since Pokémon players were able to jump into a new event in Pokopia. The dry spell has left towns in limbo, especially for those who have burned out on monster build projects. However, a new event was announced on June 18, 2026, following news of the DLC Expansion Pass slated for August, that will introduce the Mythical Pokémon Jirachi. Unfortunately, players aren’t going to be able to get into the event early.
Since Pokopia‘s release, players have been taking advantage of an exploit that allows us to access events early. It was unclear if this was a glitch or a possible oversight, but it allowed Ditto to leap forward in time to meet new town inhabitants before the intended event times.
To use the exploit, Pokopia players could enter the settings on their Nintendo Switch 2 and change the date manually. This would jump the gameplay in Pokopia forward to the desired date without any ill effects. However, as of the announcement of the Jirachi event, it appears that this exploit will no longer be available.
Pokopia Jirachi Event Dates & Details
According to a social media post shared by the official Pokémon Twitter account, the “Wish Upon a Jirachi” event in Pokopia will take place from June 23 at 5 AM through July 8 at 4:49 AM Local Time. During the event, players will have the opportunity to befriend Jirachi and add it to their event Pokédex.
The event will add Wish Notes that can be transformed into Sparkling Wish Notes, according to the event breakdown on the official Pokémon website, after completing requests from the Pokémon that live in player towns. The Sparkling Wish notes can then be exchanged for a variety of Jirachi-themed furniture that will be inside the local Pokémon Center.
This event has taken the previous system a step further with the requirement to convert currency into a more premium currency via NPC requests. While it will slow players down a bit, the new steps could become tedious, especially if the quests are repetitive or only spawn in limited numbers. It seems more like a way to add urgency to the events and less of a way to create more engagement with the activities.
The rewards that players can exchange Sparkling Wish Notes for include a bed, table, vanity, wardrobe, lamp, rug, telescope, and cannon. Each is decorated with stars and includes a blue, mint, yellow, and white color palette.
Pokopia Prevents Time Travel
While the new event is exciting for those ready to jump into some new challenges in Pokopia, the quiet removal of the time travel exploit could be problematic for many.
There are many reasons why time travel can be beneficial to players. Whether they need to roll the clock back to finish an event they missed out on, or need to jump forward to participate before the official start due to personal reasons, having a level of choice in live-service additions can be beneficial for many.
Limited-time events and live service elements in games like Pokopia are difficult, as they create a sense of FOMO and scarcity that can be stressful, especially in a cozy game. This tactic isn’t new in Pokémon titles. Events for Dynamax and Tera Raid Battles in Sword & Shield and Scarlet & Violet were both part of the endgame experience. However, these events were very small in the grand scheme of overarching gameplay.
In Pokopia, the inability to participate in events could cost players a rare Pokémon in their dex, and there has been no word on whether events will repeat, leaving future opportunities to encounter these event additions up in the air.
Additionally, the ability to time-travel in cozy games doesn’t hurt anyone playing. All the rewards for these events are revealed ahead of the event time, and the Pokémon added isn’t a mystery. With nothing to spoil, there is nothing to lose in leaving the loophole in the game for those who may need to use it.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely the loophole will ever make a reappearance, adding extra stress and urgency to these limited-time events that could continue to become more tedious and time-consuming in the months to come.
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