What genre does Pokémon Pokopia introduce as the Pokémon franchise’s first?

Pokémon Pokopia introduces the Pokémon franchise’s first slow-paced life simulation.

Nintendo describes Pokopia as a relaxed game centered on crafting, creating, building, and everyday interactions with Pokémon. Its design shifts attention away from the combat-and-progression structure associated with the main series.

The player gathers materials, makes tools and decorations, improves the environment, and develops a Pokémon habitat. The game also includes a real-world-synchronized clock, allowing its weather and day-night cycle to change alongside real time.

Pokopia is sometimes grouped broadly with cozy, sandbox, or social-simulation games. Those labels describe related features, but “slow-paced life simulation” is the specific phrase used to identify its place in the Pokémon franchise. It is also a Pokémon spin-off rather than a numbered main-series entry.