Pokémon Fans Criticize Amazon’s Disappointing Pokopia Pre-Order Bonus

A wise gamer once advised, “Never pre-order games.” But if you feel the urge to snag a title before its release, there’s another, albeit less catchy, rule to consider: “Don’t get too hyped about the pre-order bonuses. They’re usually not worth it.” For those eyeing the pre-order of the Nintendo Switch 2 life-sim, Pokémon Pokopia, on Amazon, the excitement might quickly fade when they see what’s on offer.

If you decide to pre-order Pokopia ahead of its March 5 launch via Amazon, you’ll receive — wait for it — a houseplant. This isn’t even a clever nod to a grass-type Pokémon like Oddish; it’s just a generic plant that looks like it belongs in a bland, pre-furnished apartment.

Pre-order bonuses often leave much to be desired. In the case of mainline Pokémon games, you might just get a few Poké Balls. However, the real kicker here is that Amazon tried to hype this bonus as if it were something to celebrate. Is a “flat leaf plant” really worthy of excitement? Fans certainly don’t think so, which might explain why Amazon’s post about it has racked up 1.2 million views.

“This is possibly the worst pre-order bonus that has ever existed, I’m actually impressed,” one user quipped.

“It’s so bland, like the first item you unlock to learn how to place things in the game,” another added.

Many responses mock the bonus with exaggerated enthusiasm, pretending it’s the greatest thing ever.

As expected, the community at r/FuckNintendo is having a blast with this. “But look how detailed the plant is,” one user remarked. “That’s PS2 HD quality right there.” Meanwhile, some Pokopia fans expressed concern about missing out, but the truth is that everyone can obtain the infamous flat plant through regular gameplay, highlighting just how underwhelming the “bonus” really is.

So, should you consider pre-ordering from other retailers? Some are offering a Ditto rug as their pre-order bonus, including Amazon. The standout option might be from The Pokémon Center, which provides a real-world Ditto plushie with your order. The choice is yours, trainer.