Why Amazon’s Pokémon Pokopia preorder bonus falls short compared to the Pokémon Center
Pokémon Pokopia appears to be a charming, cozy life-simulation game set to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on March 5, 2026. As release day approaches, more preorder bonuses are beginning to surface — and not all of them feel equally inspired.
The Pokémon Center has announced that early purchasers will receive a Ditto Sitting Cuties plush, while select orders directly from Nintendo will include a Ditto-themed rug. Against that backdrop, the preorder bonuses offered by Amazon in the U.S. and Best Buy in Canada feel like a missed opportunity.
Preordering from either retailer grants players a digital code for a “Flat Leaf Plant” decorative item to use in-game. To be fair, the plant looks nice once placed in Pokopia — but it’s also painfully generic. Fans don’t seem especially excited, and it’s easy to see why. A planter inspired by Pokémon like Oddish or Bonsly would have fit the game’s world far better and made the bonus feel intentional rather than obligatory.
Adding to the letdown, the Flat Leaf Plant isn’t even exclusive. Players who skip Amazon or Best Buy can still obtain it through regular gameplay, which further undercuts the incentive to preorder through those retailers at all.
For a game built around personality and charm, this preorder bonus feels safe when it could have been playful — a disappointing mismatch for Pokopia’s otherwise cozy vibe.
Preorder bonuses work best when they offer something genuinely unique, whether in-game or physical. The Pokémon Center’s Sitting Cuties plush is a great example: it’s appealing enough to nudge players toward a retailer they might not normally choose. By comparison, a generic, purely cosmetic potted plant — especially one whose rarity is still unknown — feels underwhelming.
Preorders help shape a game’s first impression and influence where players choose to buy. Right now, Amazon’s version of Pokémon Pokopia offers little added value, making it harder to justify choosing that preorder over more creative alternatives. For players who care about physical bonuses or exclusives, the Pokémon Center currently offers the most compelling preorder option.
Of course, some players care more about the game itself than whatever bonus is attached — and that’s perfectly valid. Still, preorder bonuses exist to add excitement and personality to an early purchase. If a generic plant is the best retailers can offer for a game built on charm and creativity, it raises bigger questions about how preorder bonuses are being handled across the industry.
About the Author
Scott (Scotty) Greenhalgh is the founder and owner of Input Lag, an independent Nintendo-focused publication. Scotty brings a player-first perspective informed by years of hands-on experience with Nintendo games to his reviews, rankings, and editorial coverage. His writing focuses on how games feel to play, their long-term value, and the impact Nintendo’s creative and business decisions have on players.
Outside of Input Lag, he also creates Pokémon-focused content online under the name Gr3atScotty.
