Pokemon
News, coverage and analysis tracking Pokemon across the outlets.- Pokémon TCG announces 30th anniversary set with "all foil cards", 30 new unique Pikachu illustrations, and the return of classic CharizardThe Pokémon Company has announced a commemorative expansion for the Pokémon Trading Card Game celebrating its 30th anniversary, set to release on September 16th. The set will feature an all-new 'Futuristic' rarity with art by YOSHIROTTEN, a completely foil card design, 30 unique Pikachu illustrations by different artists, and the return of classic cards including Charizard by Mitsuhiro Arita.
- LEGO's Pokémon Smart Play Sets Have Finally Been Officially RevealedLEGO has officially revealed its new range of Pokémon Smart Play building sets, set to launch on August 1, 2026. These sets feature interactive bricks that make Pokémon figures rumble, speak, and emote when moved or placed near each other. The collection includes 12 sets, ranging from the small Jigglypuff Concert to the larger Umbreon vs. Garchomp Championship Battle, with the interactive Smart Bricks included in the Charizard and Pikachu sets.
- LEGO Pokemon reveals 12 new sets, pre-orders openThe LEGO Group and The Pokemon Company have unveiled twelve new LEGO Pokemon sets, featuring characters like Pikachu, Charizard, and Mew, with pre-orders now open for an August 1, 2026 release. These new sets incorporate 'Smart Play' technology, allowing the LEGO Pokemon creatures to interact with children's actions, encouraging imaginative play, training, and battling.
- Build, Train, Nurture & Battle: New LEGO® Pokémon™ SMART Play sets allow children to feel like Pokémon Trainers!The LEGO Group and The Pokémon Company International have announced new LEGO Pokémon SMART Play sets for builders aged 6 and up. These sets feature interactive screen-free play, allowing children to build, train, nurture, and battle with Pokémon figures like Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo. The new line, featuring twelve sets, will be available starting August 1st, 2026.
- New cheaper Lego Pokémon sets let you battle and train with digital smart bricksLego has released 12 new, more affordable Pokémon sets that utilize new smart brick technology for interactive sounds and movements. These sets are designed for younger audiences, featuring simpler designs inspired by the Super Mario line, and allow for simulated battles and training mechanics mirroring the video games. Some sets include smart bricks, while others require them to be purchased separately or from existing Lego lines.
- 12 new Lego Pokemon sets launch this August, and they're all Smart PlayLego is launching 12 new interactive "Smart Play" Pokemon sets in August, featuring characters like Pikachu, Charizard, and Mewtwo. These sets utilize light, sound, motion, and sensing technology for screen-free play, allowing children to build, train, and battle their Pokemon. Some sets include Smart Bricks and chargers, while others feature Smart Tags that interact with them.
- Best Android 3DS Emulator In 2026This guide explores the best Nintendo 3DS emulators available for Android devices in 2026, highlighting options like Lemuroid, RetroArch Plus (with its Citra core), Azahar Emulator, and 33DDSS. It notes that 3DS emulation is demanding on hardware and advises users to ensure their devices are capable of handling the performance requirements.
- Mina The Hollower Was Inspired By Pokemon And Final Fantasy AdventureYacht Club Games' upcoming title, Mina the Hollower, draws inspiration from a variety of classic games, including Pokemon and Final Fantasy Adventure, in addition to its clear Zelda and souls-like influences. David D'Angelo of Yacht Club Games highlighted the appeal of packing extensive content into small packages, a hallmark of Game Boy-era titles.
- Game Con Canada Is Just Over Two Weeks Away & We're Holding A Contest For Tickets!Game Con Canada 2026, Western Canada's largest gaming convention, is scheduled for June 19-21 at the Edmonton EXPO Centre. The event will feature contests for tickets, including a chance to win VIP experiences, alongside tournaments for Valorant and Street Fighter 6, special guests, cosplay competitions, and guided TTRPG adventures. The New North American Games Industry Summit (NAGIS) will precede the convention.
- Pokémon 30th anniversary TCG set will bring back classic cards this SeptemberThe Pokémon Company is releasing a 30th anniversary trading card game set on September 19, 2026, featuring reprints of iconic cards like the shiny Charizard and new illustrations for Pikachu cards. The set will also include Pokémon beyond the first generation and introduce 'futuristic rare' cards. The article also briefly mentions the upcoming video game Pokémon Winds and Waves for the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Trust me, these fan-made Lego Pokemon card sets will blow your mindLego is holding a fan vote for fan-made Lego Pokemon card set designs, with the winner potentially becoming an official kit. Over 750 designs were submitted, and five finalists are currently being voted on, with the community's preference influencing Lego's final decision.
- Review: Pokémon Game Music Collection: Game Boy Jukebox - A Pointless Trinket Even Fans Will Grow Bored Of SwiftlyNintendo and The Pokémon Company released the Game Boy Jukebox, a miniature replica of the classic handheld, to celebrate the Pokémon series' 30th anniversary. The device plays 45 songs from the original Pokémon Red and Blue games, but features low audio quality, no headphone jack, and purely cosmetic buttons, making it a charming but ultimately limited piece of merchandise.
- The Pokémon 30th Celebration TCG Set Drops September 16The Pokémon Trading Card Game is releasing a special 30th Celebration TCG set worldwide on September 16th. This set will feature a new 'Futuristic Rare' rarity for Mew and Mewtwo cards, illustrated by YOSHIROTTEN, and will include reprints of iconic cards like Charizard and Pikachu & Zekrom Tag Team GX. Additionally, there will be 30 unique Pikachu cards, each with different artwork and a special stamp, though they will not be legal for tournament play.
- 3 Nintendo franchises that would make great movies, and honorable mentionsThis article discusses which Nintendo franchises would make compelling movies, following the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It highlights EarthBound and Kirby as strong contenders due to their narrative potential and distinct characters, while also considering Splatoon for its visual appeal and flexibility. Franchises like Xenoblade Chronicles and Metroid are deemed more challenging due to their lengthy stories or silent protagonists.
- ANA Pokemon Planes Include Wind And Waves StartersAll Nippon Airways (ANA) has revealed designs for its Pokemon-themed planes, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Game Freak and Nintendo's Pokemon franchise and the airline's 40th anniversary. Three distinct plane designs, named Pokemon Jet Red, Green, and Blue, will feature starter Pokemon from various generations, including the new starters from the upcoming 'Pokemon Wind and Waves' game. These themed planes will fly on both domestic and international routes starting in late July 2026, with special Pokemon-themed amenities also planned for passengers.
- Brace Your Wallets, Pokémon's 30th Anniversary TCG Range Is Getting Revealed Next WeekThe Pokémon Company will reveal its 30th anniversary Trading Card Game range in a special video on June 1st. The "dazzling line of products" is scheduled for a global launch in 2026. The company is also considering using government ID to combat scalping in Japan for TCG products.
- June 2026 Target Pokemon Merchandise Drop DetailedTarget has detailed its upcoming second drop of Pokemon merchandise, set to launch on June 6, 2026, both in-store and online. The collection includes new Starter pullover jackets, shirts, puzzles, balls, and an Instant Print Digital Camera featuring Eevee. Some items from the first drop, like the Kanto Pokemon Starter Jacket, will also be restocked online on June 7, 2026.
- The Cosplay Scene at FanimeCon 2026FanimeCon 2026 showcased a vibrant cosplay scene, with attendees from across the West Coast debuting new creations and updating existing builds. The convention, held from May 22-25 at the San Jose Convention Center, featured official gatherings for popular fandoms like Pokémon, Resident Evil, and Demon Slayer, alongside private photo sessions and a wide range of fan-inspired outfits.
- Roughly 10 billion Pokemon cards were printed in the last year, which goes to show how bad the reseller situation is…Despite printing approximately 10 billion Pokemon cards in the last year, availability remains a significant issue due to high demand and resellers inflating prices. Total card production has risen to 85 billion, yet acquiring both new and old sets continues to be a struggle for consumers.
- Yoshi and the Mysterious Book Review – Gotta Lick ‘Em All!Yoshi and the Mysterious Book offers a unique departure from traditional Yoshi platformers, focusing on exploration and experimentation with enemies rather than challenging platforming. Developed by Good-Feel and published by Nintendo, the game encourages players to act as researchers, discovering enemy behaviors and world interactions in sandbox-like levels. While some levels are weaker, the overall experience is a charming and inventive platformer with a distinct storybook art style.