Zorua’s Hide-and-Sneak Contest in Pokémon Pokopia runs from 5:00 a.m. July 19, 2026, to 4:59 a.m. July 27, 2026, local time. Players can compete for prizes, including trophies, by interacting with Zorua at any rebuilt Pokémon Center or on Cloud Islands, according to Pokemon.
Success in the event requires a functional Pokémon Center. Pokemon reported that Zorua only visits towns where a center has been rebuilt. Players can also join other users in their worlds or on Cloud Islands to participate together, with the fastest completion time becoming the record for that specific town or island.
Unlocking Camouflage at Bleak Beach
Before entering the contest, players must acquire the Camouflage ability. According to a guide from IGN, a random, out-of-place tile block appears near the Pokémon Center in Bleak Beach one day after the player has Brightened Things Up. Walking up to the block does not trigger an interaction; instead, players must use Rock Smash on it to reveal Zorua, who is practicing their Camouflage move.

To learn the move, players must complete a request for Toy Blocks.

- Gather Materials: Obtain 1 Lumber. IGN notes that Small Logs can be given to any Chop Specialty Pokemon to produce this lumber.
- Craft and Deliver: Use the DIY recipe to make Toy Blocks. When delivering them, the player must tell Zorua, “Got you something,” to trigger the transformation sequence. Zorua transforms into a block tower, then a knocked down block tower, and finally a jumble of blocks stacked chaotically.
- Activation: Once the ability is added to the Transform list, players use the “ZR” button to turn into whatever item they want, allowing them to hide anywhere on Bleak Beach in plain sight.
The hide-and-sneak game itself unlocks after a second interaction. When Zorua displays an orange bubble saying How ya doin’?, the player must approach them while transformed as any item. This unlocks the Let’s play hide-and-seek! option, which can be triggered at any time or via random requests from other Pokémon.
Ditto Transformations and Environmental Interaction
Camouflage is one of 14 Ditto transformation moves available in the game. According to a guide, most of these are unlocked through Pokémon encountered across the island by meeting specific Pokémon, completing requests, or progressing through different regions of the island during the story. While most transformations maintain a mostly human look, a reviewer noted that Glide and Surf are “adorable exceptions” that change the character appearance. These abilities allow Ditto to copy other Pokémon to reshape terrain, gather resources, or access new areas that were previously out of reach.
Different transformations provide specific utility for exploration and resource gathering. For example, players can use Squirtle’s Water Gun to water dry patches, Scyther’s Cut to chop through grass and logs, or Dragonite’s Glide to cross cliffs.

The Water Gun transformation is the first one learned in the game. This occurs when the player and Professor Tangrowth find a dehydrated Squirtle in the Withered Wasteland. By using the Water Gun ability to spit a torrent of water on the Pokémon, the player heals him and learns the move. A reviewer noted that this ability is particularly useful in the starting world, which has become a dry desert, though they cautioned players to be mindful of nearby Pokémon friends who may get splashed.
Regarding gameplay mechanics, a reviewer described the process of swapping between these numerous transformations as being “fairly similar to Animal Crossing’s power wheel” or triggered through selections. The reviewer also mentioned that they used Magikarp’s ability most often, noting that it does not even require a transformation.
Technical details for Pokémon Pokopia identify the game as a Simulation and Crafting title published and produced by Nintendo for the Nintendo Switch 2. The game features the Kanto map.
Find more reporting in our Technology section.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.