Tag Archives: Pokemon

Game News

Pokémon TCG Pocket Is Getting Its First-Ever Dual-Type Cards in October

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Pokémon TCG Pocket is about to change the way you build decks. The Pokémon Company dropped a major announcement at PokémonXP in San Francisco — a fan convention running alongside the 2026 Pokémon World Championships — revealing that dual-type Pokémon cards are coming to the game for the first time, alongside a new wave of First Partner Pokémon ex cards, all part of the new C series launching in October 2026.

What Are Dual-Type Cards in Pokémon TCG Pocket?

Since the game launched, every Pokémon card in TCG Pocket has carried a single energy type — Psychic, Fire, Water, and so on. Dual-type cards break that rule for the first time, letting a single Pokémon draw on two types simultaneously. In the mainline physical Pokémon TCG, dual-type cards have existed for years; bringing them into Pocket opens up entirely new deck strategies around weakness, resistance, and energy matching.

Mega Mewtwo X ex — the first dual-type card in Pokémon TCG Pocket, Psychic and Fighting
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Mega Mewtwo X ex — The First Dual-Type Card

Leading the charge is Mega Mewtwo X ex, a dual Psychic- and Fighting-type card. As The Pokémon Company confirmed, “Dual-type cards are coming to Pokémon TCG Pocket, starting with Mega Mewtwo X ex — a dual Psychic- and Fighting-type.” Mega Mewtwo X ex is not the only dual-type card planned; the announcement positions it as the preview of a full new series, meaning more dual-type Pokémon will follow.

Dual-Type Cards Are Coming! | Pokémon TCG Pocket | Official Trailer — via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel

First Partner Pokémon ex Cards Join the Roster

Alongside dual-type mechanics, The Pokémon Company also unveiled the first in a new range of First Partner Pokémon ex cards — featuring starter Pokémon from across the mainline games as powerful ex cards. The reveal showcased Fuecoco ex and Piplup ex, with more First Partner Pokémon ex cards expected to follow.

Piplup ex — one of the new First Partner Pokémon ex cards coming to Pokémon TCG Pocket in October 2026
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company
Fuecoco ex — First Partner Pokémon ex card announced for Pokémon TCG Pocket C series
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

What the C Series Means for Singapore Pokémon Fans

Pokémon TCG Pocket has no region lock — Singapore players access the same cards and expansions on the same schedule as the rest of the world, making each new expansion drop a genuine simultaneous-global event. The October C series will be the game’s next major mechanical shift after stadium cards arrived earlier this year, and it is safe to say dual-type cards will upend a good chunk of the current meta. Expect deck-building guides, pull rate discussions, and community tournaments to heat up in the weeks around the October release date.

Keep an eye on the Game News section for the full card list and expansion details when they drop closer to October.

Game News, News

Pokémon GO Twilight Trails Season Starts 8 September — Mega Staraptor, Maschiff and More

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Niantic has officially revealed Twilight Trails, the next Pokémon GO season — and it is stacked. Running from 8 September to 1 December 2026, the new season brings two of the most-requested Mega Evolutions to the game, the debut of Paldean newcomers Maschiff and Mabosstiff, fresh Dynamax arrivals, and a revamped GO Pass progression system. Here is everything Singapore trainers need to know before the season flips over.

Twilight Trails | Official Season Trailer | Pokémon GO — via Pokémon GO on YouTube
Pokémon GO Twilight Trails official season promotional art
Image courtesy of Pokémon GO

What Is Pokémon GO Twilight Trails?

Twilight Trails is the name Niantic has given to the upcoming three-month Pokémon GO season, covering autumn globally. Each season brings a themed batch of new spawns, Raid rotations, and League cups — but Twilight Trails is notable for the sheer number of first-time arrivals packed into a single season. The full season announcement was made on the official Pokémon GO site, with details confirmed across several Pokémon GO media outlets.

Maschiff and Mabosstiff Make Their Pokémon GO Debut

Official artwork of Maschiff, the Dark-type Pokémon from Scarlet and Violet
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Maschiff and its evolution Mabosstiff — the Dark-type dog duo introduced in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet — will make their Pokémon GO debut during Twilight Trails. The pair is among the last batch of Paldean Pokémon yet to land in the mobile game, so this is a milestone catch for any Pokédex-completionist. Precise event windows for their spawning are still to be confirmed, but both will be available across the season.

Mega Staraptor and Mega Chandelure: Long-Awaited Arrivals

Mega Staraptor official artwork — debuting in Pokémon GO Twilight Trails
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The headline item for the battling crowd is the simultaneous debut of Mega Staraptor and Mega Chandelure — two Mega Evolutions the community has been asking about for years. Both will appear in Mega Raid Days across the season, though specific dates remain to be announced. Crucially, Staraptor and Chandelure both had Community Day spotlights in previous seasons, meaning most active players already have the Candy and the base forms to Mega Evolve quickly once the raids are live. Singapore trainers with strong Flying- and Fire-type raid lobbies will want to clear their Raid Passes ahead of each debut.

Dynamax Pokémon, Max Battle Days, and the Lake Guardians

New Dynamax Pokémon joining Power Spots this season include Rhyhorn, Sneasel, and Sizzlipede. A dedicated Max Battle Day will feature the Sinnoh Lake Guardians in their Dynamax forms — Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf — which is a rare chance to add the region-exclusive trio to your Max Pokémon roster. The Lake Guardians are region-locked in standard Raids (Uxie is Asia-Pacific, Mesprit is Europe/Middle East/Africa/India, Azelf is Americas), but Max Battle Days typically ignore that restriction, making it a key event for Singapore-based players.

Community Days, Battle League Cups, and GO Pass Deluxe

Pokémon GO Twilight Trails season branding and logo
Image courtesy of Pokémon GO

Three Community Days are locked in for the season:

  • 12 September — Community Day Classic (Pokémon TBA)
  • 10 October — October Community Day
  • 21 November — November Community Day

The Battle League schedule includes the Halloween Cup, Catch Cup, and the 2026 Championships Series Cup for competitive players.

On the progression side, the season introduces a reworked GO Pass system with a free tier and a paid GO Pass Deluxe. Milestone rewards unlock at Ranks 1, 25, 50, and 75, including 2× Daily Adventure Incense duration, increased gift-sending limits, and enhanced egg-hatching bonuses. Full reward lists are not yet detailed, but the structure mirrors the GO Battle League season pass from earlier this year.

What to Do Before 8 September

Before Twilight Trails opens, Pokémon GO Fest: Mega Finale (5–6 September) wraps up this year’s GO Fest with the debuts of Mega Greninja, Mega Chesnaught, and Mega Delphox in raids. It is a smart window to burn through any remaining Raid Passes and stock up on Mega Energy before the seasonal reset on 8 September.

Check the official Twilight Trails page for the full event calendar as dates are confirmed. For more Pokémon GO coverage, see our Game News archive.

Game News, Singapore Gaming Scene

Shiny Regi Trio Debuts in Pokémon GO Raids Starting Tomorrow

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The legendary Regi trio is landing in Pokémon GO five-star raids starting tomorrow — and for the first time ever, Regirock, Regice and Registeel are appearing in their shiny forms. If you have been raiding since the game launched in 2016 and never saw a shiny Regirock, that is because one did not exist until now.

First-Ever Shiny Regirock, Regice and Registeel in Pokémon GO

The three legendary golems from the Hoenn region have rotated in and out of Pokémon GO raids many times since their original release in 2019, but their shiny variants have never been available in the game — until this rotation. According to community tracking sites PokémonGO Hub and Leek Duck, all three are confirmed to have shiny forms available for the first time as part of this raid rotation. No official Niantic announcement page was available at time of writing, so treat the first-ever shiny status as community-confirmed pending a formal Niantic post.

Official Pokémon artwork of Regirock, the legendary Rock-type golem
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

For Singapore trainers who remember grinding Regirock counters back when it first appeared in EX raids, this is a historic moment. The fact that all three debut their shinies simultaneously — rather than one at a time — means this two-week window is the best chance to add all three rare forms to your collection in one go.

Raid Dates, Times and Raid Hours — Singapore Schedule

Regirock, Regice and Registeel will appear in five-star raids from Wednesday, 26 August at 6:00 AM SGT through Tuesday, 8 September at 10:00 PM SGT. The event spans just under two weeks, with two dedicated Raid Hours giving you the best window to stack as many encounters as possible:

  • Wednesday, 26 August, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM SGT
  • Wednesday, 2 September, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM SGT

During Raid Hours, gyms across Singapore light up with simultaneous raid eggs, making it easy to chain runs with a solid group. High-density raid clusters to target: Gardens by the Bay, Orchard Road, Bishan Park, and the civic district around City Hall MRT tend to have multiple gyms within walking distance — ideal for back-to-back Regi raids during that one-hour window.

Official Pokémon artwork of Regice, the legendary Ice-type golem
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Types, Weaknesses and Who to Bring

Each Regi has a single type, which makes counter selection straightforward:

  • Regirock (Rock) — bring Water, Grass, Fighting, Ground or Steel types. Mega Swampert and Primal Kyogre are strong Water picks; Machamp and Lucario work well for Fighting coverage.
  • Regice (Ice) — bring Fire, Rock, Fighting or Steel types. Mega Blaziken, Reshiram and Chandelure are the go-to Fire options; Rampardos and Rhyperior cover the Rock angle.
  • Registeel (Steel) — bring Fire, Ground or Fighting types. Reshiram and Chandelure again for Fire; Excadrill and Groudon for Ground coverage.

All three Regis sit on the tankier side of legendary raids and are manageable with a group of four or more well-levelled trainers. Solo clears are not realistically achievable without optimal mega-boosted counters.

Official Pokémon artwork of Registeel, the legendary Steel-type golem
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Shiny Odds and What to Expect

Standard legendary raid shiny rates in Pokémon GO have historically sat around 1-in-20 (approximately 5%). With all three Regis running the full two-week window, a dedicated raider joining several groups over Raid Hours and weekends should have a realistic shot at each form — though nothing is ever guaranteed with Pokémon GO’s RNG. Shiny check every encounter: the shiny versions feature distinctive colour swaps (Shiny Regirock goes from orange-brown to a blue-grey; Shiny Regice shifts from light blue to a mint green; Shiny Registeel darkens from silver to a deep gun-metal blue).

If you are looking to connect with other Singapore trainers for remote or in-person raid coordination, the local Pokémon GO community is active across various Discord servers and Telegram raid groups — a quick search for your area will get you added to the right chat.

Event

Mega Starmie Debuts Tomorrow in Pokémon GO — August 22 Raid Day Guide

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Trainers, mark your Poké Balls — Mega Starmie makes its Pokémon GO debut this Saturday, 22 August 2026, in a limited Super Mega Raid Day. If you’ve been waiting to add the first-ever Mega evolution of the iconic Starmie to your roster, this weekend is your window.

Mega Starmie Raid Day event banner — Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary
Mega Starmie arrives as part of Pokémon GO’s 10th Anniversary celebration. (© Niantic / The Pokémon Company)

Event Details

  • Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026
  • Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. local time
  • Format: Super Mega Raid Day — Mega Starmie appears in Mega Raids at Gyms throughout the event window
  • Bonus: Increased Mega Starmie Raid spawns, bonus Stardust for Raid victories

As a Water / Psychic dual type, Mega Starmie brings a powerful stat boost to both offensive archetypes. Winning a Mega Raid grants a temporary Mega Energy buff that powers up your own Starmie for subsequent raids and battles.

Can It Be Shiny?

Yes — Shiny Mega Starmie is available from day one. The Shiny form replaces the standard purple body with a striking deep blue, and the centre gem shifts to red. Encounter odds from Mega Raids are boosted compared to standard wild encounters, so the two-hour window is your best shot.

Shiny Mega Starmie in-game sprite — blue body with red gem
Shiny Mega Starmie sports a vivid blue body and red core gem. (© Niantic / The Pokémon Company)

Best Counters for Mega Starmie Raids

Mega Starmie is weak to Electric, Grass, Ghost, Dark, and Bug type moves. Prioritise Electric and Grass attackers for maximum damage output:

  • Mega Manectric — Charge Beam / Wild Charge
  • Zekrom — Charge Beam / Fusion Bolt
  • Xurkitree — Thunder Shock / Discharge
  • Kartana — Razor Leaf / Leaf Blade
  • Mega Sceptile — Fury Cutter / Leaf Blade
  • Mega Gengar — Shadow Claw / Shadow Ball (for Ghost coverage)

A team of four to six high-level trainers with optimal counters should be able to clear the raid comfortably. Lower-level groups or less optimal lineups should aim for five or more.

Mega Starmie’s Best Moveset

If you’re planning to use your newly Mega-evolved Starmie in future raids or GO Battle League:

  • Water attacker: Waterfall + Hydro Pump
  • Psychic attacker: Confusion + Psychic

As a Mega, Starmie functions best as a raid support anchor — its Mega boost raises the power of all Water- and Psychic-type moves for your entire lobby while it’s active.

Tips for Saturday

  1. Use a Remote Raid Pass if you can’t reach a local Gym — Mega Raid Day events typically see active lobbies worldwide.
  2. Stock up on Max Revives and Max Potions before the event window opens.
  3. Activate a Lucky Egg during your runs to maximise XP from raid victories.
  4. Coordinate with local communities — Singapore’s Pokémon GO Telegram groups are usually very active on Raid Days.

Good luck out there, Trainers. May your first catch be Shiny.

Event

KFC Singapore x Pokémon: The Ultimate Launch Starts 19 August

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KFC Singapore is going all-in on Pokémon, and The Ultimate Launch is exactly what it sounds like: one of the biggest food collabs to hit the island this year. From 19 August to 29 September 2026, every one of the chain’s 71 outlets transforms into part of the Pokémon universe — with a Japanese-themed seasonal menu, two waves of collectible merch, Pokémon GO integration, and Pikachu meet-and-greets on the schedule.

A Japanese-Inspired Menu Worth Trying

KFC Singapore Pokémon Japanese Nanban Zinger burger
Image courtesy of KFC Singapore

The centrepiece of the food side is a limited-time Japanese Nanban menu that brings tangy umami flavours to KFC’s lineup:

  • Japanese Nanban Zinger from $7.50
  • Japanese Nanban Chicken Bites from $6.90
  • Japanese Nanban Loaded Fries at $5.95
  • Sweet Potato Balls from $3.95

The Nanban sauce — a Japanese-style sweet vinegar marinade — gives the collaboration a genuinely Japan-flavoured feel rather than a simple character rebrand. All items are available across all 71 outlets for the campaign’s full six-week run.

Wave 1 Merch (from 19 August): Blind-Box Reversible Pouches

KFC Singapore Pokémon Reversible Everyday Blind Pouch with Pikachu Eevee Mew Snorlax designs
Image courtesy of KFC Singapore

First up: the Pokémon Reversible Everyday Blind Pouch at $14.95, redeemable with any purchase of the Japanese Nanban Zinger or Chicken Bites Box. The pouches look like Poké Balls on the outside, then flip inside-out to reveal one of four Pokémon — Pikachu, Eevee, Mew, or Snorlax. Since it is a blind box, you cannot choose your character.

Early risers also get a bonus: a free Pokémon Sticker Sheet with any breakfast meal plus a Milo, available before 11am only — a low-effort add-on if you are already grabbing breakfast on the way to work or school.

Wave 2 Merch (from 9 September): Buckets, Chopsticks, and the Charizard Jacket

KFC Singapore Pokémon Poké Ball Bucket collectible merchandise
Image courtesy of KFC Singapore

September unlocks the more substantial pieces:

  • Poké Ball Bucket — $12.95 with any 5-piece Chicken Bucket
  • Gaming Chopsticks (Pikachu or Gengar designs) — $15.95, available via delivery only
  • Pikachu Car Neck Pillow Set — $32.95, at drive-thru and extended-hour stores
  • Pokémon Evolution Jacket — $99, featuring Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard across the back; limited to one per person, exclusively at Kallang, Jurong Point, Bedok Town Square, Causeway Point, and SCAPE
KFC Singapore Pokémon Charizard Evolution Jacket limited edition
Image courtesy of KFC Singapore

The Charizard jacket is the headline collector piece and is almost certainly the item that sells out first — limited stock, five outlets only. Worth confirming availability before making a special trip.

Five Pokémon-Typed KFC Outlets in Singapore

Five KFC locations have received full in-store Pokémon-type makeovers. If you want the full experience rather than just the food and merch, these are the ones to visit:

  • Water type — NEX
  • Fire type — JEM
  • Electric type — Kallang
  • Ghost type — Compass One
  • Grass type — Jurong Point

Note that the Singapore Zoo and Sentosa outlets are excluded from all merchandise redemptions.

Pokémon GO, a Pikachu Meet-and-Greet, and Free TCG Tutorials

KFC Singapore Pokémon Pikachu mascot meet-and-greet event August 29
Image courtesy of KFC Singapore

Beyond the food and merch, the collaboration adds three layers of in-store activity:

Pokémon GO: All 71 KFC outlets become PokéStops and Gyms for the campaign’s full duration. Useful if you play regularly and are passing by anyway.

Pikachu Meet-and-Greet on 29 August — three sessions across three outlets:

  • KFC Kallang — 11:00am to 11:30am
  • KFC SCAPE — 2:00pm to 2:30pm
  • KFC Jurong Point — 5:00pm to 5:30pm

Free Pokémon TCG Tutorial Sessions (12–20 September): Over 200 beginner “New Trainer Journey” sessions for newcomers to the Trading Card Game. Registration is through the official Pokémon TCG site. A good entry point for parents wanting to introduce younger players, or anyone curious about the TCG who hasn’t known where to start.

Full details and updates are available on KFC Singapore’s official website. For more events in Singapore, check our regularly updated listings.

Manga Anime

POKÉTOON Returns Tonight — Wartortle Stars in New 30th Anniversary Short

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Two brand-new POKÉTOON shorts are arriving on the official Pokémon YouTube channel as part of the ongoing 30th Anniversary celebration — and the first one drops tonight at 9 pm SGT. If you have not yet discovered POKÉTOON, this is a great time to start.

POKÉTOON Wartortle, Mabosstiff and Whimsicott in the two new 30th Anniversary episodes
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

What Is POKÉTOON?

POKÉTOON is an anthology of short animated films produced by The Pokémon Company, each one putting a single Pokémon at the centre of a self-contained story. Episodes run anywhere from a few minutes to roughly fifteen minutes, and each one is drawn in a distinctive visual style — no two look quite the same. Past entries have starred Scraggy & Mimikyu, Gengar, Chansey, and more recently Gardevoir and Altaria. They debut on the official Japanese Pokémon YouTube channel and typically land on the Pokémon South Asia Official channel in English shortly after — so Singapore fans can catch them dubbed as well. It is one of the most charming corners of the Pokémon franchise, and completely free to watch.

Episode 1: Wartortle — Tonight at 9 pm SGT

Wartortle official art
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The first of the two new episodes is titled Wartortle and the Continuation of Summer (Japanese: カメールと、夏のつづき). Fitting for mid-August, the story follows Wartortle through the waning days of summer — details beyond the title have been kept under wraps, which is part of the fun. It premieres as a YouTube Premiere on Wednesday, 12 August at 10 pm JST / 9 pm SGT / 1 pm UTC. Head to the official Pokémon Kids TV YouTube channel to watch live or catch up on demand.

This is part of a broader wave of anniversary content from The Pokémon Company: POKÉTOON was among several anime strands that have been revived and expanded throughout 2026 to mark the franchise’s 30-year milestone.

Episode 2: Whimsicott vs Mabosstiff — Next Wednesday

Whimsicott official art
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The second episode, Will Mabosstiff Let the Prankster Whimsicott Off? (Japanese: いたずらエルフーンとさせるかマフィティフ), pairs the mischievous Fairy-type Whimsicott against the no-nonsense Dark-type Mabosstiff for what sounds like a comedic showdown. It premieres one week later on Wednesday, 19 August at 10 pm JST / 9 pm SGT.

Mabosstiff official art
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Mabosstiff made its main series debut in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, where it was Arven’s beloved partner — so seeing it get its own POKÉTOON spotlight should resonate with anyone who played through that game’s story. Whimsicott, meanwhile, is a fan favourite for its impish personality, making the pairing feel tailor-made for comedy.

How to Watch from Singapore

Both episodes are free to watch on YouTube with no regional restrictions. The Japanese original airs on the Pokémon Kids TV channel; English dubbed versions typically follow on the Pokémon South Asia Official channel — the same channel that carried the Snorunt’s Summer Vacation short. Set a reminder for tonight if you want to catch the Wartortle premiere live.

Event

Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock: Water Festival — Three New Debuts Start 18 August

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Arrokuda, Barraskewda and Cramorant are diving into Pokémon GO for the first time later this month — and Mega Starmie makes its debut the same week. If you are in Singapore, you also get an exclusive Tatsugiri form that players in Europe and the Americas cannot encounter without trading.

What Is Ultra Unlock: Water Festival?

The Ultra Unlock: Water Festival is a bonus event earned by Trainers who participated in Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global. It runs from Tuesday, 18 August at 10:00 a.m. local time through Monday, 24 August at 8:00 p.m. local time — for Singapore that is 10:00 SGT to 20:00 SGT. No ticket is required to join in: anyone can catch the wild spawns and progress through the free GO Pass track. Check out our upcoming events guide for more Pokémon GO event coverage.

Three Galarian Pokémon Make Their Pokémon GO Debut

All three newcomers are from the Galar region (Pokémon Sword and Shield) and none were in the game before this event. Collect 50 Arrokuda Candy to evolve it into Barraskewda — Barraskewda does not spawn on its own.

Arrokuda official Pokémon art — the Galarian barracuda making its Pokémon GO debut in the Water Festival
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company
  • Arrokuda (Water) — appears in the wild, via Field Research task rewards, and through Rainy Lure Modules. This is your main candy source for the Barraskewda evolution.
  • Barraskewda (Water) — evolve from Arrokuda; does not appear in the wild.
  • Cramorant (Flying/Water) — hatches from Eggs, available through GO Pass rewards, and can appear as a GO Battle League encounter at Rank 16 and above. Note: Cramorant is not eligible for the Competitors Cup.

What Is Spawning in the Wild

Wild encounters during the event include Psyduck in a Swim Ring costume (shiny available), Goldeen, Mareanie, Wimpod and Ducklett — with Ducklett and Dewpider both enjoying a boosted shiny rate. Rarer encounters include Feebas and Clamperl (both shiny-eligible). Wiglett appears more often near coastal and beach biomes.

Singapore Gets Tatsugiri Stretchy Form — Europe and the Americas Do Not

Tatsugiri appears in 1-Star Raids throughout the Water Festival, but its form is region-locked:

Cramorant official Pokémon art — the Flying/Water-type Galarian bird making its debut in Pokémon GO Water Festival 2026
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company
  • Asia-Pacific (including Singapore): Tatsugiri Stretchy Form
  • Europe / Middle East / Africa: Tatsugiri Curly Form
  • Americas: Tatsugiri Droopy Form

All three are the same species and share the same move pool, but the forms are cosmetically distinct and region-locked — the only way to get all three on one account is via trading. If the Stretchy Form matters to your collection, grind those 1-Star Raids while you can.

The GO Pass: Free Rewards and Paid Upgrades

Every Trainer automatically receives the GO Pass: Water Festival on 18 August at 10:00 a.m. local time — no purchase required. Earn GO Points to level up through ranks: Rank 10 unlocks 2× Catch Candy, and Rank 20 unlocks half Egg Hatch Distance. Free rewards along the track include Arrokuda encounters, a Rainy Lure Module, Golden Razz Berries and Rare Candy. All GO Pass rewards expire on 26 August at 8:00 p.m. local time, so use them before then.

Two paid tiers are available: GO Pass Deluxe at US$4.99 for upgraded rewards and faster rank progression, or GO Pass Deluxe + 6 Bonus Ranks at US$6.99 for an immediate head start. Deluxe holders get extra Arrokuda and Cramorant encounters, Silver Pinap Berries, Rare Candy XL and an event-exclusive avatar cosmetic.

Mega Starmie Raid Day on 22 August — Make It Count

Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock Starmie Super Mega Raid Day 2026 — Mega Starmie making its first appearance in Pokémon GO
Image courtesy of Niantic / The Pokémon Company

Overlapping with the Water Festival is the Ultra Unlock: Starmie Super Mega Raid Day on Saturday, 22 August, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time. This is Mega Starmie’s first-ever appearance in Pokémon GO. Free bonuses available to everyone include:

  • +5,000 XP from all raids
  • Up to 6 free Raid Passes from spinning Gym Photo Discs
  • Increased Shiny Starmie encounter rate after raids
  • Increased Rare Candy XL drop rate
  • All caught Starmie auto-unlock Mega Level 1
  • Remote Raid Pass limit raised to 20 (from Friday 21 August 2:00 p.m. PDT through Saturday 22 August 8:00 p.m. PDT)

A premium event ticket (US$4.99) upgrades that to 14 Raid Passes from gyms, stacks an additional +5,000 XP, and grants guaranteed Rare Candy XL with each Starmie caught post-raid. A Timed Research track rewards a Scizor encounter plus a Premium Battle Pass.

Best Days to Play: The Bonuses Escalate

Catch XP and Stardust bonuses increase as the event progresses, making the final two days the most valuable farming window:

Window (local time) Catch XP Catch Stardust
18 Aug 10 a.m. – 20 Aug 2× 3×
20 Aug – 22 Aug 3× 4×
22 Aug – 24 Aug 8 p.m. 4× 5×

22 August is your single best day to play: the final tier of 4× Catch XP and 5× Catch Stardust runs simultaneously with Mega Starmie’s debut Raid Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you can only clear your schedule for one day this week, make it that Saturday. Full event details are on the official Pokémon GO website.

Event

Pokémon RUN 30 Singapore: Everything You Need to Know

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A 4km Pokémon adventure run through a gym obstacle course, Pikachu meet-and-greets, a free festival zone open to the public, and a runner’s kit loaded with exclusive merch including a TCG 30th Celebration Booster Pack — Pokémon RUN 30 Singapore Edition is landing at Stadium Roar, The Kallang, on 7 and 8 November 2026, and registration is open right now.

What Is Pokémon RUN 30?

To mark the franchise’s 30th anniversary, The Pokémon Company is taking a themed interactive fun run across eight cities in Asia — Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong — between October 2026 and January 2027. Every stop follows the same format: you step into the role of a Pokémon trainer, pick a starter type, and work your way through an interactive 4km course packed with franchise touchpoints. The Philippines edition has already sold out, so don’t assume Singapore will be different.

Participants crossing the start arch at a Pokémon RUN event
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

How the 4km Run Works

Before the race, each participant chooses a starter type — Grass, Fire, or Water — which determines the colour of their race bib and the lenticular card they receive. The route features a Pokémon Gym with obstacle challenges and Pokémon Center hydration stations along the way. Carry the Pokédex Run Search Sheet and collect stickers at each stop to earn Gym Badges and lenticular cards featuring the Kanto starters.

Race slots run from 7am to 11:30am on both days in staggered 30-minute intervals. Both days share the same format.

What’s in the Runner’s Kit

Pokémon RUN 30 Runner's Kit flat lay showing jersey, bag, bib, lenticular cards and Pikachu medal
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Every registered runner receives an exclusive kit on race day:

  • Limited-edition Dry-Fit race jersey
  • Pokémon-themed drawstring bag
  • Type-themed race bib (Grass / Fire / Water)
  • Pokédex Run Search Sheet and Gym Badge lenticular cards featuring the Kanto starters
  • Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Booster Pack
  • Pikachu-design finisher medal
Pokémon RUN 30 promotional graphic: TCG 30th Celebration Booster Pack and special edition Pikachu plushie add-on
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

For S$22 more, add a special edition Pikachu shoulder plushie at checkout — limited to three per participant.

The Free Festival Zone — No Ticket Required

Families celebrating at the finish of a Pokémon RUN event
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Non-runners are welcome too. The Pokémon Festival Zone is free and open to the public from 8am to 2pm on both days — no registration needed, just show up at The Kallang. What’s inside:

  • Pokémon Center pop-up store — exclusive merchandise on sale
  • Pokémon Time Tunnel — a walk-through celebrating 30 years of Pokémon across the main series games, TCG, and anime
  • Character photo spots and themed installations
  • Pikachu meet-and-greet parade
  • Nintendo Switch 2 game demo stations
  • Pokémon GO and Pokémon TCG activity zones

Families with younger fans can head straight to the Festival Zone for a full morning of Pokémon content without needing to register for the run.

Pokémon GO Bonuses on Event Day

Pokémon GO trainers get in-game perks while at The Kallang: doubled Incense duration, enhanced XP for PokéStop spins, reduced Egg hatching distances, and two free Timed Research tasks yielding Pokémon encounters — including Pikachu — plus Stardust and Poké Balls. Keep the app running as you explore the festival grounds.

Tickets and How to Register

Early bird slots (S$118) are sold out. Current pricing:

  • Normal Entry: S$138
  • Late Entry: S$158

Register at Race Roster. Choose your preferred day (7 or 8 November), your starter type, and whether to add the plushie. Given how quickly the Philippines edition filled up, waiting for a better price isn’t a great strategy.

Singapore sits mid-tour among the Asia-Pacific stops, followed by Malaysia (21–22 November), Indonesia (12–13 December), Thailand (9–10 January 2027), and Hong Kong (23–24 January 2027). For more events Singapore gamers and pop-culture fans won’t want to miss, check our events archive.

Game News

Pokémon GO: Venom and Vines Is Live — Nickit Community Day This Sunday

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Two back-to-back Pokémon GO events land this week in Singapore, and if you only have time for one session, make it Sunday: Nickit’s Community Day falls right inside the Choose Your Path: Venom and Vines event window, giving you a double-dip of bonuses without having to juggle two separate calendars.

Forever Forward Season announcement — via Pokémon GO on YouTube

Choose Your Path: Venom and Vines (11–17 August)

Pokémon GO Forever Forward Season key art featuring Pikachu, Raichu and Magnezone
Image courtesy of Niantic / Pokémon GO

The event runs from Monday 11 August at 10:00 local time through Monday 17 August at 20:00 local time (Singapore time). The “Choose Your Path” mechanic puts you in control: pick Poison-type or Grass-type encounters, and the game adjusts the wild spawn pool around your choice throughout the week.

Key highlights for the event window:

  • Poison path: boosted spawns include Ekans, Nidoran♀, Nidoran♂, Grimer, Gulpin, Croagunk, and Skrelp
  • Grass path: boosted spawns include Bulbasaur, Oddish, Bellsprout, Chikorita, Treecko, Turtwig, and Snivy
  • Event raids: Poison- and Grass-type Pokémon appear in 1-star and 3-star raids across the event period
  • Field Research: event-specific tasks rewarding encounters and Stardust
  • Timed Research: a story-driven paid or free research track tied to the Venom and Vines theme

Both paths feed into the same weekly bonus structure, so you aren’t locked out of anything by your choice — you just see more of the Pokémon relevant to the type you selected.

Nickit Community Day — Sunday 16 August

Pokémon GO Nickit Community Day August 2026 official banner
Image courtesy of Niantic / Pokémon GO

Community Day falls on Sunday 16 August from 14:00 to 17:00 local time. Nickit — the Sly Pokémon introduced in Sword and Shield — takes the spotlight, with its shiny form available for the first time. Evolved to Thievul during or shortly after the event window, it will learn the exclusive Community Day move.

Standard Community Day perks apply:

  • 3× Catch XP
  • 2× Catch Stardust
  • 2× chance of Trainers finding their Buddy Pokémon to bring extra presents
  • Incense and Lure Modules active for 3 hours
  • Special 1-star Raid Eggs featuring Nickit after the main window (16:00–17:00), with the Shiny rate elevated in Raid encounters

For Singapore players: head to Marina Bay Sands Promenade, East Coast Park, or any of the other high-density PokéStop clusters for the best spawn density during the three-hour window. Nickit’s Dark-type evolution Thievul is a solid pick for PVP in the Great League, so banking Candy XL ahead of the event is worth doing now.

Planning Your Week

The Venom and Vines event gives you seven days of bonus spawns, while Community Day is a tight three-hour window on Sunday. The practical play: run your path choice early in the week to farm Candy and Stardust, then go hard on Nickit on Sunday while the event bonuses are still active. The overlap means your Sunday Stardust catch bonus stacks on top of the Community Day 2× multiplier.

Check the official Pokémon GO app for the exact local start times and any last-minute updates to the event bonuses. For more game news on GameTrader, see our latest coverage.