Nintendo at PAX Aus 2026: Switch 2 Demos, Pokémon Pokopia DLC and What to Play

Nintendo has confirmed a packed Nintendo Switch 2 lineup for PAX Aus 2026, giving Australian players hands-on access to a mix of newly released games, upcoming titles and downloadable content. The show runs October 9–11, 2026 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, with expo hall hours from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day.

The headline attraction is the first Australian public hands-on opportunity for Nintendo Switch Sports Resort ahead of its October 22 launch. Nintendo is also bringing Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass content, Splatoon Raiders, Star Fox, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book and a substantial partner lineup.

Featured image: official Nintendo Australia promotional imagery for PAX Aus 2026.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort makes its Australian hands-on debut

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort will be playable on the Nintendo booth stage in 1v1 local multiplayer. Nintendo says everyone who participates will receive a unique pin set, subject to the event's stated conditions.

The Switch 2-exclusive sequel returns to Wuhu Island with 12 sports, including Boxing, Table Tennis, Archery, Tennis, Volleyball, Bowling, Basketball, Golf, Thumb Wrestling, Skateboarding, Power Cruising and Prop Plane. The game launches October 22, 2026.

Nintendo Switch Sports Resort official Nintendo gameplay image
Official Nintendo promotional gameplay imagery for Nintendo Switch Sports Resort. Image: Nintendo.

Pokémon Pokopia DLC will be playable

Pokémon fans can try content from Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass Part 1: Bubbly Basin. Nintendo describes the paid DLC as an underwater-town expansion where players can dive, develop the area, meet additional Pokémon and decorate with new furniture.

The broader Expansion Pass is planned as three waves of content adding towns, Pokémon and features. PAX Aus therefore offers attendees an early opportunity to see Bubbly Basin in person rather than simply revisiting the base game.

Pokémon Pokopia official Nintendo gameplay image
Official Pokémon Pokopia promotional gameplay imagery. Image: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company.

Splatoon Raiders, Star Fox and Fire Emblem are also on the booth

Nintendo's first-party and published lineup extends well beyond its sports title. Confirmed playable games include:

  • Splatoon Raiders — a single-player-focused treasure-hunting adventure set on the Spirahlite Islands with Deep Cut.
  • Star Fox — Nintendo's remake of the Nintendo 64 game Lylat Wars.
  • Yoshi and the Mysterious Book — an adventure built around exploring the environments inside a mysterious book.
  • Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave — attendees can play a demo of the Switch 2 strategy RPG and Nintendo says demo players will receive a special reward, subject to event conditions.
Splatoon Raiders official Nintendo promotional image
Official Splatoon Raiders promotional imagery. Image: Nintendo.

The partner lineup is unusually broad

Nintendo also confirmed a sizable slate of third-party games at its booth. Among the titles listed are 007 First Light, ELDEN RING Tarnished Edition, Minecraft for Nintendo Switch 2, Minecraft Dungeons II, Diablo IV: Age of Hatred Collection, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Dragon's Dogma II: Dark Arisen, Monster Hunter Wilds and FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE.

That makes the booth useful for more than sampling Nintendo's own releases: it also gives attendees a concentrated look at how major third-party games are shaping the Switch 2 library.

Pikmin Bloom gets a dedicated event

Pikmin Bloom will have its own PAX Aus activation. Nintendo says attendees can complete in-game activities, use an AR photo opportunity being offered in Australia for the first time, and obtain special Decor Pikmin. Visitors who check in with My Nintendo at the booth will also receive a special reward, while further giveaway details are still to come.

PAX Aus 2026 Nintendo booth: key details

  • Dates: October 9–11, 2026
  • Venue: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Victoria
  • Expo hours: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. daily
  • Major pre-release demo: Nintendo Switch Sports Resort
  • Pokémon attraction: Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass Part 1: Bubbly Basin
  • Additional activation: Pikmin Bloom activities and AR photo opportunity

For attendees deciding where to spend limited show-floor time, Nintendo's lineup is especially notable because it mixes a pre-release first-party title, playable DLC, recent Switch 2 releases and major third-party games in one booth. Nintendo says more information on its PAX Aus giveaways will be announced closer to the event.

Sources: Nintendo Australia’s September 22, 2026 PAX Aus announcement and official PAX Aus 2026 event page. All images shown are official Nintendo promotional/game imagery imported for editorial coverage.

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