Tag Archives: Pokemon

News, Shop and Merchandise

Pokémon LEGENDS: Z-A Mega Plushies Drop Today — Starmie, Greninja, Zeraora and Lucario Z

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Four new Mega Evolution plushies inspired by Pokémon LEGENDS: Z-A went on sale this morning at Pokémon Center Online Japan — and Mega Starmie’s unsettling humanoid legs are already the talk of the fandom. The collection also includes Mega Greninja, Mega Zeraora, and Mega Lucario Z, drawing from both the base game and its paid Mega Dimension expansion.

The Full Drop — All Four Mega Plushies at a Glance

All four plushies went live at 10:00 AM JST today, July 16, at the Pokémon Center Online Japan store and at physical Pokémon Center locations across Japan. Here’s what’s in the collection:

  • Mega Starmie — ¥5,500 (approx. S$49 before shipping) · 30×16×36 cm · 348g
  • Mega Greninja — ¥5,500 (approx. S$49 before shipping) · 31.5×36×53 cm · 244g
  • Mega Zeraora — ¥6,050 (approx. S$54 before shipping) · 32×17×39 cm · 316g
  • Mega Lucario Z — ¥6,050 (approx. S$54 before shipping) · 19×23×42 cm · 241g
Mega Starmie plush from Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A at Pokémon Center Japan
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Mega Starmie and Mega Greninja — The Base-Game Pair

Mega Starmie is the undoubted centrepiece of this wave. Its Pokédex entry in LEGENDS: Z-A notes that its “movements have started to feel more human-like” — the plush leans fully into that with two elongated humanoid lower limbs that double as legs. It’s the Mega most fans are here for, and at 36 cm tall it’s a substantial shelf presence. The design has been viral ever since LEGENDS: Z-A first revealed it, and this is the first official soft-toy version.

Mega Greninja — also introduced in the base game — is the tallest of the four at 53 cm, making it the most imposing on a display. It includes an attachment string if you prefer it suspended rather than standing. Both carry the ¥5,500 price point.

Mega Greninja plush from Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A at Pokémon Center Japan
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Mega Zeraora and Mega Lucario Z — From the Mega Dimension DLC

Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension | Get Charged Up with Mega Zeraora! — via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel

The ¥6,050 tier covers the two Mega Evolutions that arrived with the paid Mega Dimension DLC. Mega Zeraora gave the Mythical Electric-type a sharper, more aggressive look that divided and ultimately won over LEGENDS fans; the plush at 39 cm captures that energy well. Mega Lucario Z — the second DLC pick — takes Lucario’s signature steel-and-aura silhouette to a more intense place, and at 42 cm it holds up well next to the taller Greninja on a shelf.

Mega Zeraora plush from Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A Mega Dimension DLC at Pokémon Center Japan
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company
Mega Lucario Z plush from Pokémon LEGENDS Z-A Mega Dimension DLC at Pokémon Center Japan
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Getting Them in Singapore

This collection is currently Japan-exclusive, available at Pokémon Center Online Japan and physical centres across the country. Singapore fans will need to import: Pokémon Center Online Japan does ship internationally, though you’ll want to factor in shipping costs and any applicable customs duties on top of the yen prices listed above. SGD equivalents above are approximate at current exchange rates and do not include delivery.

The Pokémon Company has been rolling out LEGENDS: Z-A Mega plushies steadily since the game launched — earlier waves included Mega Dragonite and Mega Raichu X and Y — so if your favourite Mega isn’t in this drop, there’s a reasonable chance it will appear in a future wave. Check our shop and merchandise section for updates, and browse our game news feed for the latest Pokémon Centre drops and local gaming news.

Manga Anime, News

Pokémon Summer Mac Burgers Revealed: Bulbasaur Beef, Charmander Chicken and Squirtle Shrimp Drop 22 July

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McDonald’s Japan has just dropped the details on the Pokémon 30th Anniversary Burgers — the next phase of the Pokémon Summer Mac campaign we covered when it launched. Eight new menu items go on sale 22 July 2026, and every main burger comes wrapped in the face of one of the original Kanto starters. (Japanese source: Famitsu.com)

Three Starter-Themed Pokémon 30th Anniversary Burgers

Tartar Demi Thick Beef burger for Pokémon Summer Mac at McDonald's Japan
Image courtesy of McDonald’s Japan

The three burgers each carry the packaging design of one original starter, and the flavour profiles lean into each Pokémon’s personality:

  • Tartar Demi Thick Beef (タルタルデミ肉厚ビーフ) — Bulbasaur packaging. A thick beef patty on corn-dusted buns with tartare and demi-glace sauce. ¥580 single / ¥880 value set.
  • Juicy Chicken Spicy Garlic (ジューシーチキン旨辛ガーリック) — Charmander packaging. Crispy chicken with a pepper garlic mayo that delivers a Charmander-worthy kick. ¥490 single / ¥790 value set.
  • Sesame Tartare Shrimp (焙煎ごまタルタルシュリンプ) — Squirtle packaging. A breaded shrimp cutlet finished with roasted sesame tartare sauce. ¥490 single / ¥790 value set.
Juicy Chicken Spicy Garlic burger — Charmander design, Pokémon Summer Mac 2026
Image courtesy of McDonald’s Japan
Sesame Tartare Shrimp burger — Squirtle design, Pokémon Summer Mac 2026
Image courtesy of McDonald’s Japan

The Full Lineup: Evening, Morning and Sides

Beyond the three mains, the campaign adds five more items to round out every daypart:

  • Evening (夜マック, from 5 pm): Tartar Demi Double Thick Beef — two patties for ¥840 single / ¥1,140 value set.
  • Morning (朝マック, until 10:30 am): Tartar Demi Sausage Muffin with Pikachu packaging, ¥420 single.
  • Side: Shaka Shaka Potato Seaweed Salt (シャカシャカポテト のり塩味) — shake-to-season fries with a nori-salt sachet, +¥50 to any fries order.
  • Drinks: Mac Fizz Okinawan Pineapple at ¥300 and Mac Float Okinawan Pineapple at ¥380, available all hours.

All items run from 22 July to early September 2026 at participating McDonald’s Japan locations.

Full price chart for Pokémon Summer Mac burgers at McDonald's Japan 2026
Image courtesy of McDonald’s Japan

The Official TV Campaign

McDonald’s Japan × Pokémon Summer Mac 2026 official TV commercial — via oricon on YouTube

PokéStops and What Singapore Fans Need to Know

The wider campaign still has two more beats incoming. From 20 July, every one of McDonald’s Japan’s roughly 3,000 outlets becomes a sponsored PokéStop and Gym in Pokémon GO — running through 1 September. And on 31 July, the Pokémon Happy Meals arrive, details to be confirmed.

The entire promotion is Japan-only with no Singapore rollout announced. If you are planning a Japan trip this summer, 22 July is the date to mark — the burgers are available nationwide and the GO PokéStop tie-in starts just two days earlier. For those staying in Singapore, the latest gaming and Japan culture news will keep you covered.

Game News, Travel

JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally 2026 Starts Tomorrow — Your Tokyo Guide

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The JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally is back — and this year, Pokémon’s 30th anniversary turns it into something special. Starting Thursday, 16 July, fans in Tokyo can ride the trains, collect stamps at 36 stations across the network, and walk away with exclusive prizes unavailable anywhere else. For Singapore families heading to Japan this school holiday season, the timing could not be better.

What Is the Pokémon Stamp Rally?

An annual summer tradition in Tokyo, the stamp rally is run in collaboration with JR East — Japan’s largest commuter-rail operator. Participants pick up a free stamp booklet at a major station, then travel the network collecting character stamps at each participating stop. Complete a course and present your booklet at the goal counter to claim a limited-quantity prize on a first-come-first-served basis. This year the rally runs from 16 July to 31 August 2026, with prize exchanges accepted through 1 September.

JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally 2026 participating station map Greater Tokyo
Image courtesy of JR East

2026 Theme: 30 Years of Starters

Pokémon’s 30th anniversary gives this year’s rally a bigger scope than usual. Stamps and prizes pull from the full franchise history, featuring starter Pokémon from every mainline generation — Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle through to the newest — alongside Captain Pikachu (star of the current TV anime), Koraidon and Miraidon from Scarlet and Violet, and newer anime faces Masqueranda and Weenibal. Pokémon-branded train wraps will also run on three of Tokyo’s busiest lines from August: Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, and Chuo Line Rapid.

Four Courses — Four Sets of Prizes

6-Station Course

Collect stamps from any 6 of the 36 participating stations and head to the goal counter near Oimachi Station. Rewards include a Captain Pikachu collectible figure from the Pokémon Frienda prize machine, a ticket-style commemorative sticker, and a Captain Pikachu sun visor — ideal for a Tokyo summer.

JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally 2026 6-station course prizes Captain Pikachu
Image courtesy of JR East

9-Station Course

A fixed nine-station route spotlights starter Pokémon — one per station, with a choice of stamp at each stop. The goal counter is at Tokyo Station. Complete it for a special starter Pokémon neck strap spanning every generation.

JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally 2026 9-station course prize neck strap
Image courtesy of JR East

36-Station Course

The full challenge: collect stamps at all 35 JR East stations and 1 Tokyo Monorail station on the list. Redeem the completed booklet at Tokyo Station for a limited-edition rally key ring exclusive to the 2026 event.

Shinkansen Course

Travelling beyond Greater Tokyo? Seven bullet-train stations across the Tohoku and Shinetsu regions also carry stamps. Finish the Shinkansen course for a dual-sided Koraidon and Miraidon medal made for the 30th anniversary.

Pokémon Trains and Photo Spots

Riding the Pokémon-wrapped trains is half the fun — and you can never quite predict which platform one will pull into. From August, special liveries appear on the Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, and Chuo Line Rapid services. Dedicated photo spots are set up at Tokyo Station, Waters Takeshiba, and the Oimachi Tracks business park. Waters Takeshiba also hosts a unique layered stamp experience where four overlapping designs combine into a single picture, plus a Honda Koraidon display on the ground floor.

JR East Pokémon stamp rally 2026 Pokémon-wrapped train livery Yamanote Keihin-Tohoku Chuo
Image courtesy of JR East

Captain Pikachu Meet-and-Greet

A free Captain Pikachu character meet-and-greet is scheduled at two venues — advance reservation is required and no same-day slots are available.

  • Oimachi Tracks: 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 July
  • Waters Takeshiba: 1, 8, 15, 22 August

Up to four guests per group; 15 groups per session across four daily sessions. The reservation window for Waters Takeshiba opens 27 July at noon JST (11:00 AM SGT) through 29 July at noon. Full booking details are on the official JR East event site (Japanese).

JR East Pokémon Stamp Rally 2026 deluxe special stamp book with Pokémon pass case
Image courtesy of JR East

How to Participate — Tips for Singapore Visitors

Getting started requires nothing more than showing up at a major JR East station from 16 July and picking up a free stamp booklet at the dedicated desk. Your existing IC card or Suica — the same card you use to get around Tokyo — is all you need to hop between stations. A JR Pass also covers Shinkansen course stations.

If you want something more substantial to keep, a deluxe edition stamp booklet bundled with a Pokémon-themed pass case is available at NewDays convenience stores inside JR East stations for ¥2,420 (roughly S$21) while stocks last.

Prizes are limited and distributed first-come-first-served at the goal counter, so if the 36-station challenge is on the list, build a dedicated station-hopping day early in the rally rather than saving it for the final weeks of August. All prizes must be redeemed by 1 September 2026.

Looking for more Japan trip ideas? Browse our travel guides for Singapore gamers.

News

Pokémon’s New Team Rocket Card Game Drops November 2026

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Pikachu isn’t the hero this time. The Pokémon Company and YOKA Games quietly dropped the announcement of 「お前、もしかしてロケット圧？」 — “Are You Perhaps Team Rocket?” in English — on the official @poke_times Pokémon X account (Japanese) today, 14 July 2026. The card-based board game is slated to launch in Japan in November 2026.

A Villain-Themed Pokémon Card Game With a Twist

The key visual says it all: a hooded Rocket Grunt grins in the centre, flanked by a snarling, red-eyed Pikachu and a Koffing sporting a jolly-roger-style logo against a vivid yellow background. Two in-progress card samples appear in the lower corner — the images are explicitly marked “development versions” and subject to change.

Team Rocket Grunt, villainous Pikachu and Koffing from the Pokemon Are You Perhaps Team Rocket key art
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Gameplay details — player count, card mechanics, win conditions — have not been revealed yet. The Pokémon official account simply teased: “續報をお楽しみに” (more information to come). What the key visual does confirm is that this is a card-driven game developed through the “ポケモンボドゲくらぶ” (Pokémon Boardgame Club) label, the same initiative that brought us Pokémon Goita in December 2025 and Pokémon Plakoro, which we covered last week. The Pokémon Company is clearly on a serious analogue-gaming run, with the Boardgame Club label becoming a proper sub-brand.

Who Is YOKA Games?

YOKA Games is a Chinese board game designer and publisher with a global catalogue. Their best-known title in Western tabletop circles is Sanguosha (三国油 / Three Kingdoms Kill), a popular elimination card game that has sold millions of copies across Asia and beyond. More recently, they co-produced the widely praised Slay the Spire: The Board Game. Their involvement signals that “Are You Perhaps Team Rocket?” is aiming for a polished, strategically meaty experience rather than a casual party game — though we’ll have to wait for the full reveal to be sure.

What Singapore Pokémon Fans Need to Know

As of this announcement, the November 2026 release is confirmed for Japan only. No English localisation, no Singapore or Southeast Asia release date, and no price have been disclosed. Given YOKA Games’ international distribution track record, a wider release is plausible — but for now, plan for this to be an import if you want it at launch.

If you’re into importing Japanese analogue games, your usual go-to stops — import retailers that ship from Japan, Japanese online platforms like BOOTH, and local tabletop shops that stock Japanese imports — should be on your watchlist. Pokémon Goita and Plakoro both found their way to local collectors through those channels, and “Are You Perhaps Team Rocket?” should follow the same path. Watch for pre-order windows opening closer to November.

Singapore’s tabletop scene has been in excellent shape — WSBG Asia 2026 just wrapped at Suntec City last weekend — and a Pokémon card game built around playing the bad guys sounds exactly like the sort of title that’ll generate buzz at local game nights. Check out more upcoming gaming events in Singapore while you wait for the full reveal.

Game News

Pokémon SV: A Dragon-Type Magikarp Is the Next 7-Star Raid Boss — Starts 17 July

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The internet’s favourite punching bag has levelled up. The Pokémon Company has announced that a Dragon-type Magikarp bearing the Mightiest Mark will be the next 7-star Tera Raid boss in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet — and yes, that is the most gloriously absurd sentence in recent Pokémon history. The event launches this Thursday and runs well into August, so Singapore trainers have plenty of time to catch (and gloat about) history’s most ironic raid trophy.

The Mighty Magikarp — Dates, Tera Type and the Mightiest Mark

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Water-Type Summer Event July 2026 announcement
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The 7-star Dragon Tera Magikarp raid runs from Thursday, 17 July at 8:00 AM SGT through 6 August at 11:59 PM UTC (7 August, 7:59 AM SGT). The event was confirmed by the official @Pokemon_cojp Twitter account on 10 July.

As with all 7-star Tera Raids, this Magikarp carries the Mightiest Mark — a ribbon exclusive to event raid catches that cannot be obtained any other way. You can only catch it once per save file, so if you want one, make it count. The Dragon Tera type strips away its Water typing during the raid, opening up a different set of weaknesses than you would expect from a fish.

Magikarp the Dragon-type Tera Raid boss in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Water-Type Mass Outbreaks Across Every Region

The main event is not the only reason to log in this summer. Alongside the Magikarp raid, Water-type Pokémon mass outbreaks are running across all four playable areas during the same window:

  • Casseroya Lake (Paldea): Dondozo, Tatsugiri, and Veluza, each carrying a special personality mark
  • Paldea overworld: Psyduck and Slowpoke outbreaks
  • Kitakami: Feebas and White-Striped Basculin
  • Blueberry Academy Terarium: Lapras
Tatsugiri and Dondozo Pokémon Scarlet Violet mass outbreak Casseroya Lake
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Mark-hunting fans should prepare a sandwich with Title Power: Water before heading out — the buff raises the chances of encountering marked Water-type Pokémon during outbreaks. Feebas is particularly worth the effort, as it remains one of the harder Pokémon to find in the wild normally.

How to Beat a 7-Star Dragon-Type Magikarp

Magikarp’s natural learnset is famously limited, but The Pokémon Company does curate custom movesets for 7-star events — the full moveset will be confirmed once the raid goes live on 17 July. What we can work with going in:

  • A Dragon Tera type is weak to Dragon, Ice, and Fairy moves. Sylveon, Togekiss, Gardevoir, and Iron Valiant are all solid choices from that angle.
  • Ghost-type Pokémon are immune to Normal-type attacks, which covers Magikarp’s base attack pool. A Ghost/Dragon like Dragapult or a Fairy-type with decent bulk can cover both angles.
  • 7-star bosses enter a shield phase mid-raid, so bring a Pokémon that can stay healthy through the break and keep up damage pressure afterwards.

Once the raid is live, the Smogon community typically has optimised builds posted within hours. For more Pokémon game news, check back here — we will update if The Pokémon Company drops any additional event details before Thursday.

Game News, News

Pokémon Summer Mac: McDonald’s Japan’s Biggest-Ever Pokémon Collab Turns Every Branch Into a PokéStop

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If you’re planning a Japan trip this summer, your Pokémon GO map is about to look very different. McDonald’s Japan has launched Pokémon Summer Mac (ポケモン夏マック), what it calls its biggest-ever collaboration with a single partner — a sprawling, four-wave campaign celebrating McDonald’s Japan’s 55th anniversary alongside Pokémon’s 30th. The results range from limited-edition McNuggets to a lottery-only kitchen gadget that’s already going viral, and every single McDonald’s Japan branch becomes a Pokémon GO PokéStop for six weeks this summer.

McDonald’s × Pokémon ‘Summer Chance Bag 2026’ New TV Commercial — via Oricon on YouTube

What Is Pokémon Summer Mac?

Pokémon Summer Mac official campaign art featuring original and Gen 9 starters
Image courtesy of McDonald’s Japan × The Pokémon Company

Running across four themed waves from mid-July through August, Pokémon Summer Mac is structured so there’s always something new to look forward to at McDonald’s Japan:

  • Tokuniraldo (July 15 – August 11): Limited-edition 15-piece Chicken McNuggets in a special Pokémon box featuring Pikachu and the original Kanto starters, priced at 490 yen — a 250-yen saving on the regular price. Two exclusive dipping sauces also debut alongside it: Cheese Curry Sauce and Umashio Garlic Sauce at 50 yen each.
  • Summer Chance Bag: The campaign’s anchor item — a lottery-only grab bag priced at 3,900 yen, with applications open July 10–20 and redemption from July 27 to August 2.
  • Collaboration Burger: Details drop on July 16 — still a silhouette at time of writing.
  • Pokémon Happy Meal: Full reveal on July 31.

The Summer Chance Bag: Japan’s Most Viral Pokémon Merch This Season

Jumping Pikachu Potato Timer — McDonald's Japan Summer Chance Bag 2026 exclusive
Image courtesy of McDonald’s Japan × The Pokémon Company

The star of the entire campaign is the Jumping Pikachu Potato Timer — a kitchen countdown timer shaped exactly like a McDonald’s fries box, with a Pikachu figure that pops up from the “fries” when time runs out. It’s the kind of thing that sells out within hours at any Japanese Pokémon Center, except this one is only obtainable through the McDonald’s Summer Chance Bag lottery.

Each bag (3,900 yen via the McDonald’s Japan app) contains the timer, a randomly selected colour-changing cup in a Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle design, a matching zip pouch, and 3,910 yen worth of McDonald’s food vouchers — meaning the vouchers alone more than cover the cost. One in every ten bags also includes a Golden McDonald’s Card carrying an extra 500-yen voucher. Lottery applications run until July 20, so if you have a Japan trip planned (or a friend willing to enter on your behalf), now’s the time to act.

Pokémon GO x McDonald’s Japan: Every Branch Becomes a PokéStop

For Pokémon GO players, the campaign has a separate hook: from July 20 to September 1, all McDonald’s Japan locations will temporarily appear as PokéStops in the game — the franchise’s first Pokémon GO partnership in around six years, timed to Pokémon GO’s own 10th anniversary. With over 2,900 McDonald’s branches across Japan, that’s a significant expansion of the in-game map for anyone playing while travelling.

Trainers visiting Japan between late July and early September will find PokéStops clustered along major shopping streets, in train stations and inside malls — many of which already have a McDonald’s — making the overlap between “grab a quick meal” and “spin a stop” more convenient than ever.

Japan Goes Even Further: Coca-Cola Machines Are Already Pokéstops

McDonald’s isn’t alone. Coca-Cola Japan announced on July 10 that approximately 30,000 Coca-Cola vending machines across Japan are now being progressively added as PokéStops — with select machines eventually upgrading to Gyms for battles. Both Coke ON (Coca-Cola Japan’s vending app, with 75 million downloads) and Pokémon GO share their 10th anniversaries in 2026, and a stamp campaign through the Coke ON app is also planned for September: purchase any Coca-Cola product at a participating machine and collect exclusive Pokémon GO stamps. The announcement was made via Coca-Cola Japan’s official newsroom (Japanese).

Between McDonald’s branches and Coca-Cola vending machines, large parts of urban Japan are effectively becoming a continuous Pokémon GO course this summer. For Singapore trainers doing a summer or year-end Japan trip, the window to catch both the McDonald’s PokéStop campaign (July 20 – September 1) and the Coca-Cola rollout in the same visit makes July–August 2026 one of the best times to be a Pokémon GO player in Japan. The campaign is Japan-only, but the merch — if you can win the lottery — ships a world away from anything available locally.

Full details on the collaboration burger and the Pokémon Happy Meal are still coming (July 16 and July 31 respectively). We’ll be watching. For more Japan culture and Pokémon news, check out our news archive.

Game News

Pokémon Champions Hits 10 Million Downloads — Claim Your Free Dragonite Before 31 August

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It took less than four months. Pokémon Champions, The Pokémon Company’s first dedicated online battle title, has now crossed 10 million cumulative downloads worldwide across Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and mobile — and to thank players, the developers are handing out a free Pokémon that can Mega Evolve.

Pokémon Champions battle screen showing Gardevoir vs Hydreigon with move selection UI
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company
Pokémon Champions | World Overview Trailer — via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel on YouTube

Free Dragonite and 100 Quick Coupons for Every Player

To mark the milestone, The Pokémon Company announced on 8 July 2026 that all players who log in and play Pokémon Champions by Monday, 31 August 2026 will receive:

  • Dragonite — the Dragon/Flying powerhouse, ready to battle immediately
  • 100 Quick Coupons — the in-game currency used to unlock moves and Power-Ups

Both rewards are delivered directly to your in-game mailbox. There is nothing to enter; simply log in on any platform before the deadline.

Dragonite using Hydro Pump in a Pokémon Champions stadium battle
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Why the Dragonite Reward Is Worth Claiming

Dragonite is not just a participation trophy. Players who completed the Season 1 Battle Pass already have access to the Dragoninite stone, which lets Dragonite Mega Evolve into Mega Dragonite — one of the most versatile Mega Evolution forms added to the competitive format so far. If you skipped the Battle Pass, the free Dragonite still slots directly into ranked play without any extra grind.

Pokémon Champions team builder screen showing Arcanine stats and moveset
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Singapore’s Stamp on the Milestone

The 10 million figure covers all platforms globally, and Singapore punched well above its weight in that number: when the mobile version launched on 17 June, Pokémon Champions shot to #1 on the Singapore App Store within hours. That chart position was a sign of just how much appetite there is here for a proper competitive Pokémon format on mobile — and it clearly contributed to the worldwide download pace.

The game already doubles as the official platform for Pokémon Video Game Championship (VGC) play, and The Pokémon Company hosts Monthly Challenge Series (MCS) tournaments in-app with Pokémon prizes every month. Singapore trainers have been competing seriously since the Switch launch in April, and the ranked ladder is live on both platforms.

Pokémon Champions post-battle ranked result screen showing Poké Ball Tier Rank 4
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

How to Download Pokémon Champions

The game is free to download on the Nintendo eShop (Switch and Switch 2) and on the App Store and Google Play. If you have not played before and want the free Dragonite, just download, log in, and check your mailbox — the reward unlocks without any additional steps.

Check your in-game mailbox before the 31 August 2026 deadline. That is your only window to grab one of the most in-demand Dragon-types in the current competitive format for free. More details on the current season’s events are on the official Pokémon Champions news page. For a guide to everything happening in Game News this week, stay with GameTrader.

Game News, Shop and Merchandise

Pokémon 30th Anniversary Gold Necklaces Open for Pre-Order

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U-TREASURE — the Japan-based luxury gaming jeweller behind Pokémon engagement rings and collectible pendants — opened pre-orders today (10 July 2026) for its brand-new Pokémon 30th Anniversary Necklace collection. Five designs commemorating Pokémon: Since 1996 are available to order through 14 August, with the Silver 925 / yellow-gold-coating versions all priced at a flat ¥33,000 (roughly S$300) — and a solid 18K gold Snorlax at a jaw-dropping ¥990,000 (roughly S$8,900) that is almost certainly the most expensive Snorlax any Singapore fan will ever consider wearing.

Pikachu Pokémon 30th anniversary gold necklace pendant with diamond, by U-TREASURE
Image courtesy of U-TREASURE

Five Pokémon 30th Anniversary Necklace Designs, Two Price Tiers

Each pendant is sculpted in three dimensions and finished to fine-jewellery grade. Two metal options — Silver 925 with yellow-gold plating, or solid K18 yellow gold — apply to every design:

  • Pikachu — sitting pose with a tiny diamond accent; ¥33,000 / ¥429,000
  • Pikachu & Poké Ball — Pikachu perched atop a Poké Ball, both in gold; ¥33,000 / ¥286,000
  • Magikarp (Koiking) — the beloved underdog fish caught mid-leap; ¥33,000 / ¥390,500
  • Ditto (Metamon) — the shape-shifter rendered in its natural blobby form; ¥33,000 / ¥495,000
  • Snorlax (Kabigon) — the sleepy fan favourite; ¥33,000 (silver) or ¥990,000 in solid 18K gold

Every necklace includes a hidden back charm engraved with the 30th anniversary logo, a commemorative 30th-anniversary jewellery cloth, and an exclusive gift box stamped with the Pokémon: Since 1996 motif — making them giftable out of the box.

Magikarp gold necklace from U-TREASURE's Pokémon 30th anniversary collection
Image courtesy of U-TREASURE

Why the Character Selection Makes Sense

The choice of Pikachu, Magikarp, Ditto and Snorlax is no accident. All four are among the most recognisable and beloved Pokémon in Asia — Ditto and Snorlax especially have huge cult followings in Singapore and Japan alike. U-TREASURE has previously released Magikarp and Snorlax jewellery as standalone pieces, but this is the first time both appear together in a dedicated 30th-anniversary line with the official anniversary logo stamped on every piece.

The Pokémon 30th anniversary year runs across games, trading cards, events and merchandise throughout 2026. U-TREASURE’s collection is among the most premium expressions of it — with the solid K18 gold versions positioned as genuine collector’s heirlooms rather than novelty merch.

Ditto Metamon gold necklace from U-TREASURE's Pokémon 30th anniversary line
Image courtesy of U-TREASURE

How Singapore Fans Can Order

Pre-orders are open from 10 July to 14 August 2026 through U-TREASURE’s official online shop (Japanese). In Japan, the two U-TREASURE Concept Stores — in Ikebukuro (Tokyo) and Shinsaibashi (Osaka), open 11:00–19:00, closed Wednesdays and Thursdays — will also take orders.

U-TREASURE does not currently offer confirmed direct international shipping. For Singapore fans, the usual routes for Japan-exclusive merchandise apply: proxy or parcel-forwarding services that can order from Japanese e-commerce sites and ship to SG. Alternatively, if you have a Japan trip on the horizon before the pre-order window closes on 14 August, the Concept Store in Tokyo or Osaka is worth a visit. Delivery timing has not been specified beyond the pre-order close date.

Pokémon 30th anniversary necklace in its exclusive U-TREASURE gift box
Image courtesy of U-TREASURE

Full product listings and the order form are at u-treasure.jp (Japanese). Prices listed are in yen; SGD equivalents are approximate at current rates. For more Pokémon 30th anniversary news, check our Game News section. News first reported in Japanese by Famitsu.com (Japanese).

Game News, News

Switch 2 + Pokémon Pokopia Bundle: Where to Pre-Order in Singapore

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Pre-orders for Nintendo’s Switch 2 + Pokémon Pokopia bundle are now live across Singapore retailers ahead of its 23 July 2026 launch, and at S$769.95 it is shaping up as the school-holiday pick for anyone still on the fence about jumping into Switch 2. When we covered the bundle’s announcement at the start of the month, the open questions were where you would actually buy it and whether pairing the console with the game saves you anything. Now that listings are up, here is where pre-orders stand, how the price really stacks up, and why demand for Pokopia is running this hot.

Where to Pre-Order the Switch 2 Pokopia Bundle in Singapore

The player character celebrates with Scyther, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Charmander and other Pokémon in front of a Pokémon Centre in Pokémon Pokopia
Image courtesy of Nintendo / The Pokémon Company

The bundle is listed at major game retailers and electronics chains, with pre-orders open now ahead of the 23 July arrival — squarely in the school-holiday window. The listings we have seen so far:

  • Challenger — carrying the bundle at the S$769.95 official RRP.
  • NTUC FairPrice — a marketplace listing bundles a tempered-glass screen protector on top of the console and game for S$799.

Prices and stock will vary by retailer as launch approaches, so it is worth comparing what each throws in (screen protector, carry case, extra warranty) rather than the headline number alone. The official Nintendo Singapore announcement has the full list of participating retailers and the confirmed contents.

Is the Bundle Actually a Saving?

A player character in a bubble floats through a stone canyon with Piplup, Psyduck and Marill in Pokémon Pokopia
Image courtesy of Nintendo / The Pokémon Company

Here is how the S$769.95 bundle lines up against buying the two pieces on their own:

  • Standalone Nintendo Switch 2 console: S$719 (its original Singapore launch price)
  • Pokémon Pokopia standalone physical: around S$89.90 at local retailers

Bought separately at those prices you would be paying roughly S$808.90, which puts the bundle saving at about S$39. It is not a blockbuster discount — Nintendo rarely cuts deep at launch — but you get the console plus a premium-priced exclusive in one order for less than full rack price, and you skip hunting for a physical copy during the busy July retail rush. Do note the bundle includes a full download code for Pokopia rather than a boxed cartridge, so it will not resell like a physical copy later.

One caveat on the maths: Nintendo announced a worldwide Switch 2 hardware price adjustment in May 2026, and the revised standalone console price for Singapore had not been officially confirmed at the time of writing. Check nintendo.com/sg for the current figure, as the real saving shifts if the standalone price has moved since launch.

Why Pokopia Is in Such Demand

The player character uses a grass-type ability alongside Bulbasaur on a terraced landscape in Pokémon Pokopia
Image courtesy of Nintendo / The Pokémon Company

Part of why this bundle is worth a look is the game inside it. Pokémon Pokopia — the Switch 2-exclusive life sim where you build a settlement and let each species’ natural traits shape the world — sold more than 2.2 million copies worldwide in its first four days, including over a million in Japan alone, per Nintendo’s own figures. For a brand-new, non-mainline Pokémon title, that is a standout start, and it is a big reason physical copies have been in tight supply — making the download-code bundle a tidier way in. If you want the full rundown of what the game is and everything the box includes, our original bundle announcement goes deeper.

Pokémon Pokopia – Launch Trailer — via Pokémon Asia ENG on YouTube

What You Get in the Box

For quick reference, the bundle ships with everything a new player needs to start immediately:

  • Nintendo Switch 2 console and dock
  • Joy-Con 2 (L) and (R) controllers with straps
  • Joy-Con 2 Grip
  • AC adapter and USB-C charging cable
  • Ultra High Speed HDMI cable
  • Full download code for Pokémon Pokopia

The one thing that is not included is the Pokémon Pokopia Expansion Pass — it is sold separately, so factor that in if you plan to commit to the game long-term. For more on Switch 2 titles heading to Singapore, browse our full game news coverage.