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Game News

Pokémon TCG Pitch Black: Mega Darkrai ex Arrives 17 July

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Pre-release weekend is almost here: Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Pitch Black opens its Build & Battle events at Play! Pokémon partner stores from 4 July, with the global release following on 17 July 2026. Leading the expansion is Mega Darkrai ex — a 280-HP Darkness-type whose signature move can instantly knock out any opponent caught in a special condition, a mechanic already reshaping the Japanese competitive scene since the equivalent set “Abyss Eye” dropped there on 22 May.

Official Abyss Eye / Pitch Black expansion announcement (Japanese) — via ポケモン公式YouTubeチャンネル on YouTube

Mega Darkrai ex Makes Its TCG Debut

Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black booster pack featuring Mega Darkrai ex
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Pitch Black is the fifth set in the Mega Evolution TCG era, which runs alongside the Pokémon Legends: Z-A Mega Dimension DLC. Mega Darkrai ex (280 HP) carries two attacks: a damage-scaling first move that punishes Pokémon with damage counters on your bench, and “Abyss Eye” — a three-Energy attack that instantly knocks out the opponent’s Active Pokémon if it is Confused, Burned, Poisoned, or otherwise in a special condition. Paired with the new Black Bell Trainer card — which inflicts Confusion on two of your opponent’s Pokémon at once — the combo has already been a staple of the Japanese “Abyss Eye” format since that set’s 22 May launch.

Joining Mega Darkrai ex are five more Mega Evolution Pokémon ex: Mega Zeraora ex (Lightning), Mega Slowbro ex (Psychic), Mega Chandelure ex (Psychic), and Mega Excadrill ex (Metal). Singapore collectors already importing from Japan have a head start on knowing the pool — the English Pitch Black set mirrors Abyss Eye’s card list with localised text.

What Is Inside the Pitch Black Expansion?

Mega Darkrai ex and Malamar cards from the Pitch Black Pokemon TCG expansion
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Pitch Black carries over 115 cards in total, including regular Pokémon ex such as Wailord ex, Morpeko ex, Lurantis ex, Tapu Koko ex, and Rampardos ex. Collectors hunting the full set will be targeting:

  • 11 Illustration Rare Pokémon cards
  • 18 Ultra Rare Pokémon and Trainer cards
  • 6 Special Illustration Rare Pokémon and Supporter cards, including a SIR variant of Mega Chandelure ex

Mega Darkrai ex (card 048 in the Japanese set) has already driven elevated secondary market prices in Japan, with the SIR and special art variants leading interest. English singles are expected to follow suit once supply unlocks after the 17 July global release.

Pre-Release Events: Open Packs Early from 4 July

Play! Pokémon partner stores worldwide can sell Pitch Black Build & Battle Boxes from 4 July through 12 July 2026, giving players a full pre-release window before the official launch. Each Build & Battle Box includes four Pitch Black booster packs, a ready-to-play 40-card deck, and one of four exclusive foil promo cards: Dhelmise, Slowbro, Miraidon, or Bastiodon.

Pre-release events are a relaxed store-format entry point where everyone opens packs and battles with brand-new cards simultaneously — a good time whether you are a competitive player or picking up the set for the first time. Check with your local card shop on whether they are a registered Play! Pokémon venue and whether pre-registration is required, as slots fill quickly for high-demand sets. For more on the Mega Evolution TCG era, see our Game News archive.

Products and Singapore Availability

The Pitch Black product wave at launch includes individual booster packs, three-pack blisters, a six-pack Booster Bundle, the Build & Battle Box, and the Elite Trainer Box. A Pokémon Center exclusive ETB is also part of the lineup. The set releases globally on 17 July, and local availability is expected at major game retailers and card shops in Singapore around the same date — SGD pricing is to be confirmed once local stock details are announced.

Given Mega Darkrai ex’s strong competitive potential and the Mega Evolution series’ consistent sell-through in Singapore, the Elite Trainer Box is the safest balanced buy for players who want pull opportunities and tournament supplies together. Those chasing SIR cards may prefer waiting for the English singles market to settle in the first week post-launch.

Event

Pokemon GO July 4–6: Sobble Community Day Meets the 10th Anniversary Party

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Singapore’s Pokemon GO community has a stacked weekend ahead. On Saturday, July 4, Sobble takes the Community Day spotlight — and running right alongside it (through Monday, July 6) is the Pokemon GO 10th Anniversary Party, marking a decade since the game launched on July 6, 2016. Two events, one big weekend, and plenty of reasons to charge your phone and head out to your favourite park.

Trainers, get ready for some exciting adventures and community celebrations! — via Pokémon GO on YouTube

Sobble Community Day — Saturday, July 4, 2:00–5:00 PM

Sobble the Water Lizard Pokemon official artwork
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Sobble, the Water Lizard Pokemon (#816), appears more frequently in the wild during the three-hour Community Day window, and Shiny Sobble is making its debut. The boosted shiny odds during Community Day are roughly 1 in 20, so keep catching — the blue-and-yellow variant is worth the tap. Community Day lasts from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time, but certain bonuses extend until 9:00 PM.

👀💧 #PokemonGO — official Sobble Community Day teaser via Pokémon GO on YouTube

The Exclusive Moves: Hydro Cannon and Snipe Shot

Drizzile official artwork — evolve to Inteleon during Community Day for exclusive moves
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The main reason to play hard on July 4: evolve Sobble all the way to Inteleon during the event or within four hours of it ending (before 9:00 PM), and that Inteleon unlocks two moves it cannot learn otherwise:

  • Hydro Cannon (Charged Attack) — one of the strongest Water-type moves in Pokemon GO and an excellent raid attacker
  • Snipe Shot (Charged Attack) — a Community Day exclusive with attack-boosting potential in PvP formats
Inteleon official artwork — the final evolution of Sobble learns Hydro Cannon in Pokemon GO
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Inteleon with Hydro Cannon is shaping up as a top-tier Water attacker in GO’s current meta. If you can find a high-IV Sobble on July 4, it is worth the candy investment.

Community Day Event Bonuses

  • 1/4 Egg Hatch Distance (active during event hours)
  • 2× Catch Candy
  • 2× chance of Candy XL (Level 31+)
  • 3-hour Incense duration
  • 1-hour Lure Modules
  • One additional Special Trade per day (50% reduced Stardust cost)

A Community Day–exclusive Special Research is also available for US$1.99 (check your local App Store or Google Play for the equivalent Singapore price — the exact amount varies by platform). It includes a Special Background Sobble encounter among other rewards. From 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Sobble also continues to spawn at PokéStops with active regular Lure Modules, giving you an extra four hours to hunt after the main event closes.

Pokemon GO Turns 10 — Anniversary Party (July 4–6)

Pokemon GO 10th Anniversary Party event art featuring anniversary-themed Pokemon
Image courtesy of Niantic / Pokémon GO

Pokemon GO launched on July 6, 2016. Ten years on, the 10th Anniversary Party runs from Saturday, July 4 at 10:00 AM through Monday, July 6 at 8:00 PM local time. The anniversary event is active before and after Community Day on July 4, meaning the two events fully overlap during the 2:00–5:00 PM window.

Gimmighoul Makes Its Debut

The headline feature of the anniversary event is Gimmighoul, the Coin Chest Pokemon from Scarlet and Violet, making its Pokemon GO debut here. Gimmighoul appears holding a 10th Anniversary Coin, and Shiny Gimmighoul is available from the start. It can also appear with a Special Background. A Timed Research is available for US$1.99 (or local equivalent) and includes a guaranteed Gimmighoul encounter alongside a Super Incubator and Premium Battle Pass.

Anniversary Wild Encounters and Shinies

  • Pikachu wearing a cake hat
  • Eevee wearing a party hat
  • Wurmple wearing a party hat

All event-themed Pokemon have boosted shiny rates during the anniversary window. Earlier anniversary Pikachu forms have historically become collector’s items — the cake-hat variant is worth grabbing.

Kanto Starter Legacy Moves Return

This is the big one for meta players who missed the original Community Days. During the 10th Anniversary event, evolving the Kanto starters unlocks their Community Day legacy Charged Attacks:

  • Ivysaur → Venusaur: gets Frenzy Plant
  • Charmeleon → Charizard: gets Blast Burn
  • Wartortle → Blastoise: gets Hydro Cannon

Frenzy Plant Venusaur, Blast Burn Charizard, and Hydro Cannon Blastoise are all top-tier in both raids and certain PvP formats. This is a window to fix missing legacy moves without waiting for another anniversary event.

Anniversary Bonuses

  • 4× XP for catching Pokemon
  • 4× Stardust for catching Pokemon
  • Event-themed Pokemon more likely to be Shiny

How to Stack the Events on July 4 in Singapore

The overlap of Community Day and the Anniversary Party on July 4 is the best window of the weekend. Here is a rough plan:

  • 10:00 AM–2:00 PM — Anniversary active only: farm 4× XP and Stardust, hunt Gimmighoul, grab shiny anniversary Pokemon
  • 2:00 PM–5:00 PM — Both events running simultaneously: Sobble spawns spike, 4× XP/Stardust stays on, Community Day bonuses all active at once
  • 5:00 PM–9:00 PM — Community Day main hours end; evolve your best Drizzile into a Hydro Cannon Inteleon before the extended window closes; Sobble remains at active Lures
  • July 5–6 — Anniversary continues with 4× XP and Stardust; good days to work through Kanto starter evolutions

Popular GO spots in Singapore for Community Days include Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, East Coast Park, Pasir Ris Park, Gardens by the Bay, and the Singapore Botanic Gardens — all have dense PokéStop clusters suitable for Luring up. Check local GO communities on Facebook and Discord closer to the date for organised meetup spots and carpool plans.

For more upcoming Pokemon GO events and gaming events in Singapore, keep an eye on GameTrader.SG as the anniversary weekend approaches.

Event

Pokémon GO Fest 2026 Global: Fully Free for the First Time — Mega Mewtwo X/Y Debut, Zeraora, and a Guide for Singapore Trainers

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Pokémon GO Fest is going completely free this year — and it’s bringing two of the biggest Pokémon debuts in the game’s history along with it. GO Fest 2026: Global runs July 11–12, 2026, and for the first time since the event launched, you won’t need to buy a ticket to access the full core experience. Every trainer who logs in during event weekend gets the Special Research, the bonuses, and the increased Shiny rates at no cost.

That’s not the only first. Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y make their Pokémon GO debut during GO Fest, appearing in Super Mega Raid Battles. And Zeraora, the Thunderclap Pokémon and one of the game’s longest-absent Mythicals, arrives via a free Special Research that every trainer who logs in over the weekend will receive automatically.

Incoming: Pokémon GO Fest 2026! — via Pokémon GO on YouTube

GO Fest 2026 Global Dates, Times and What’s Free

Trainers facing Mewtwo in the Pokémon GO Fest 2026 official trailer
Image courtesy of Pokémon GO / Niantic

The event runs Saturday July 11 and Sunday July 12, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time each day. That’s a clean 9-hour window both days — in Singapore, that means 10am to 7pm SGT, a comfortable weekend slot.

Unlike past years where the best bonuses were locked behind a paid GO Pass ticket, Niantic has made the entire core GO Fest 2026 experience accessible at no cost. The free tier includes the Zeraora Special Research, all type-themed habitat hours across both days, access to Mega Mewtwo raids, increased Shiny encounter rates, and all event field bonuses. A paid GO Pass remains available for trainers who want extra perks, but the headline features are all free.

Mega Mewtwo X and Y: What the Debut Means for Your Raid Game

Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y making their Pokémon GO debut at GO Fest 2026
Image courtesy of Pokémon GO / Niantic

Mewtwo has anchored Pokémon GO’s raid meta for years, but its Mega Evolutions are a genuine milestone. Mega Mewtwo X (Psychic/Fighting) and Mega Mewtwo Y (pure Psychic) rank among the highest-Attack Pokémon in the mainline series, and they’re expected to make an immediate impact on the game’s top-tier raid scene when they arrive.

Both will appear in Super Mega Raids during GO Fest weekend. Any Mewtwo caught from these raids comes with at least one Mega Level already unlocked, so it can Mega Evolve without the initial energy cost. For Singapore trainers who have been stashing Mega Energy — now is the weekend to use it.

Zeraora: Singapore Trainers Can Catch the Thunderclap Pokémon for Free

Zeraora makes its Pokémon GO debut during GO Fest 2026
Image courtesy of Pokémon GO / Niantic

Zeraora is the Electric-type Mythical from Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and it has been absent from Pokémon GO until now. During GO Fest 2026 weekend, every trainer who logs in will automatically receive Special Research leading to a Zeraora encounter — no ticket or extra purchase required.

Crucially, this Special Research doesn’t expire after the event ends, so you can work through the tasks at your own pace. If you’re travelling or caught up on July 11–12, just make sure you log in at least once that weekend to claim the quest before it’s gone.

Habitat Hours, Wild Spawns and Incense Encounters

All eighteen Pokémon types rotate through three-hour themed habitat blocks across both days. Saturday covers Ice, Electric, Fire, Psychic, Ghost, Water, Flying, Rock, and Dragon. Sunday switches to Ground, Steel, Normal, Poison, Bug, Grass, Dark, Fairy, and Fighting.

Incense exclusives confirmed so far include Unown letters, Tropius, and Bouffalant — the latter two are regional Pokémon that rarely surface outside their home zones. Pikachu costumed in Team Instinct, Mystic, and Valor hats appears in Shiny-eligible form, and Kanto starters wearing Pikachu visors round out the event-themed spawns.

GO Fest 2026 Event Bonuses At a Glance

  • Up to 9 free Raid Passes per day from spinning Gym Photo Discs
  • Up to 6 Special Trades per day with 50% reduced Stardust cost
  • 1-hour Lure Module duration throughout both event days
  • Increased Shiny encounter rates for featured Pokémon
  • Extended 9-hour Party Play window each day
  • Enhanced Premier Ball effectiveness in raids

Road of Legends Prep Event: July 6–10

Before GO Fest weekend arrives, the Road of Legends event runs July 6–10. During this lead-up window, Remote Raid Pass limits are lifted — making it easier to coordinate remote raids with friends around the world heading into GO Fest. In the Asia-Pacific region, Uxie appears in five-star raids during this period; if you’re still hunting the Lake Guardian trio, this is your best window before the GO Fest chaos takes over.

No Singapore Venue, But You Don’t Need One

GO Fest 2026’s in-person community celebration venues span nine Asia-Pacific cities: Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo, Sendai, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Mumbai. Singapore isn’t on the list — but this year that matters less than ever, because the full GO Fest experience is identical whether you’re playing at an in-person venue or from your couch.

The nearest in-person options are Kuala Lumpur’s KLCC Park and Bangkok’s Chamchuri Square for those who want the IRL atmosphere, Community Ambassador activities, and on-site giveaways. Both are a short flight from Singapore and worth considering for committed GO players.

For everyone playing from home here, the action plan is simple: log in on July 11 or 12 to unlock your Zeraora Special Research, clear raid slots for Mega Mewtwo, and make the most of the free nine-raid-pass window. Check the official Pokémon GO Fest 2026 page for the latest updates. For more upcoming gaming events in Singapore, browse our Events section.

Game News

Pokémon UNITE 5th Anniversary Brings Four New Legendaries

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Pokémon UNITE is going big for its fifth birthday: Yveltal, Palkia, Reshiram, and Solgaleo are all joining the roster this July, and you can earn their Unite licenses completely free through event participation. The announcement dropped on the official Pokémon UNITE Asia website on 26 June, with a full slate of anniversary events running from 1 July through the main milestone date of 21 July 2026.

Yveltal Leads the Legendary Roster Expansion

Four Legendary Pokémon are arriving in sequence across the anniversary window. Yveltal — classified as an Attacker — is first, with its License event kicking off on 3 July. The official description touts its Dark Aura ability as capable of instantly KO-ing opposing Pokémon in the right situation, which should make it a high-risk, high-reward pick for Attacker mains.

Palkia slots in as an All-Rounder, leaning into close-quarters combat with space-distortion abilities. Reshiram and Solgaleo round out the quartet, with their roles and event dates still to be confirmed — the Asia site promises details as each license event opens.

The key point: all four legendary licenses are obtainable for free through event participation. No real-money purchase required.

The Pokémon UNITE 5th Anniversary starts July 21! — via Pokémon UNITE on YouTube

10-Day Log-In Bonus: Pick a Pokémon or Holowear Every Day

Pokémon UNITE 5th Anniversary 10-day log-in bonus event showing Pokémon and Holowear choices by role
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / TiMi Studio Group

Running alongside the anniversary, a 10-day log-in event lets you choose between a Pokémon license or a Holowear cosmetic each day. The selections rotate through all five battle roles across the ten days — Attacker, Speedster, All-Rounder, Defender, and Supporter each get two days (one Pokémon pick, one Holowear pick).

For newer Singapore players who have gaps in their roster, this is worth logging in for daily. Holowear choices include fan favourites for competitive roles. The Attacker day alone shows a handful of well-regarded picks.

5,550 License Points and the Full Legendary License Art

Pokémon UNITE 5th anniversary rewards showing 5550 License Points, License Art cards and a Selection Box
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / TiMi Studio Group

Beyond the legendary License events and the daily log-in bonus, anniversary activities stack up to 5,550 License Points in total rewards. That is a meaningful chunk toward any unlocked Pokémon. Players also receive License Art cards for all four incoming legendaries — Yveltal, Palkia, Reshiram, and Solgaleo — plus a Selection Box to pick additional rewards.

Daily login bonuses continue through 9 September 2026, so even players who can only check in occasionally will accumulate a solid haul over the summer.

Battle Pass Season 43 and Ranked Match Series 37

Pokémon UNITE Battle Pass Season 43 featuring Regal Style Pikachu Holowear with royal crown and cape
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / TiMi Studio Group

Battle Pass Season 43 launches alongside the anniversary celebrations with Regal Style: Pikachu as its signature Holowear — a royal look complete with a jewelled crown and ermine-trim robe. It is also the season that bundles bonus License Points into the pass, layering neatly on top of the free anniversary rewards for pass holders.

Pokémon UNITE Ranked Match New Series begins on the Theia Sky Ruins map featuring Kyogre
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company / TiMi Studio Group

Ranked Match Series 37 also kicks off during the anniversary window, bringing the Theia Sky Ruins map back to rotation with Kyogre as the central objective. If you have been grinding toward Legend Rank, the new series resets the ladder — meaning Singapore players have a clean slate heading into the game’s biggest celebration yet.

Pokémon UNITE is free to play on iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch. All anniversary events are live from 1 July, with the main 5th Anniversary milestone hitting on 21 July 2026. Check the official Asia announcement for the full event calendar. For more game news and updates, keep it here at GameTrader.SG.

Game News

Pokémon TCG Pocket: Everyday Wonders Launches 30 June — Mega Diancie ex, Cosy Cards, July Events

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The next wave of Pokémon TCG Pocket packs is less than a week away, and it is exactly as cute as it sounds. Everyday Wonders (expansion code B3b) launches on 30 June 2026 at 9am SGT, bringing a fresh roster of cosy, slice-of-life card art alongside three brand-new ex Pokémon — including the format’s first-ever Mega. Singapore players can dive in the moment servers go live, and there are no regional restrictions to worry about.

Pokémon TCG Pocket Everyday Wonders official trailer thumbnail — Pikachu, Piplup and Snorlax
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Watch the Everyday Wonders Official Trailer

Pokémon TCG Pocket: Everyday Wonders | Official Trailer — via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel

What’s in the Everyday Wonders Card Set

Everyday Wonders is the twelfth themed expansion in Pokémon TCG Pocket and leans fully into the cuter, calmer side of Pokémon — cards show pocket monsters dozing off, posing sweetly, or simply having a blast alongside their Trainers. The confirmed card pool includes:

Four-diamond ex cards

  • Mega Diancie ex — the first Mega Pokémon to appear in TCG Pocket, making it an instant collector target
  • Dedenne ex — a Tools-synergy attacker that grows stronger the more Tool cards you have in play
  • Hisuian Zoroark ex — a dark-type fan favourite returning from the Hisui region

Other revealed cards: Pikachu, Piplup, Snorlax, Sylveon, Greedent, Hisuian Lilligant, Hisuian Goodra, Rockruff, Fidough, Yamper, Slowpoke, and Quagsire — spanning the main series and Hisui variants. New Trainer cards include Puppy Loving Girl and the Item card Small Balloon.

Pikachu card art from Pokémon TCG Pocket Everyday Wonders expansion
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

New Mechanics to Try Out

Everyday Wonders brings a few interesting new interactions to the Pocket metagame. Sylveon can restore 30 HP to one of your Benched Pokémon each turn while it holds a Tool card — a steady healing engine that pairs naturally with bulky, Tool-heavy builds. Dedenne ex scales its attack alongside the number of Tools in play, making the two cards obvious partners.

The new Item card Small Balloon reduces any Basic Pokémon’s retreat cost by one energy, giving faster decks some welcome flexibility. Several Pokémon in the expansion also share a move called Puppy Pile, tying Rockruff, Fidough, Yamper and the Puppy Loving Girl Trainer into a thematically cohesive puppy cluster — arguably the most aggressively adorable corner of the entire set.

Sylveon card art from Pokémon TCG Pocket Everyday Wonders expansion
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

July Events to Mark in Your Calendar

The expansion rolls out alongside a month-long schedule of in-game events running through July 2026:

  • Everyday Wonders Emblem Event (early to mid-July): Battle-based missions rewarding shinedust and exclusive emblems for your profile.
  • Community Week (mid-July): Trading and sharing missions that hand out Pack Hourglasses and cosmetic accessories.
  • Hisuian Zorua Drop Event (mid-to-late July): Win special battles to unlock a Hisuian Zorua promo card — a must-grab for Hisui region collectors.
  • Wonder Pick Event (mid-to-late July): A wonder pick pool featuring Growlithe and Emolga cards.

On 1 July, new collection files and display boards depicting all five of the expansion’s flagship Pokémon — Pikachu, Piplup, Sylveon, Greedent and Snorlax — will be added so you can deck out your card collection display in style.

Snorlax card art from Pokémon TCG Pocket Everyday Wonders expansion
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

When Singapore Players Can Open Packs

Everyday Wonders goes live at 9am SGT on 30 June 2026 (that is 6pm PDT on 29 June for those tracking the global rollout). Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket is free-to-play on iOS and Android worldwide, and the new expansion is available globally with no region locking — so there is nothing standing between Singapore players and that Mega Diancie ex except Pack Hourglasses and a little luck.

Keep an eye on the Game News section here at GameTrader.SG as the July event schedule firms up and more card reveals land ahead of launch.

Game News

Shadow Reshiram Debuts in Pokémon GO — Flying Taxi: Taken Over Event Guide

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If you’ve been waiting for Shadow Reshiram to make its Pokémon GO debut, the wait is over. The Flying Taxi: Taken Over event is live right now and runs until Monday, 29 June at 8:00 PM local time—meaning Singapore trainers have until Monday night to track down Giovanni and rescue the Shadow Dragon.

Pokemon GO Flying Taxi Taken Over event banner
Image courtesy of Pokémon GO / The Pokémon Company
Trainers, get ready to face Team GO Rocket and save Shadow Reshiram! — via Pokémon GO on YouTube

How to Get Shadow Reshiram

Shadow Reshiram is Giovanni’s current legendary, and the path to it runs through the Flying Taxi GO Pass. Complete the GO Pass reward track to earn a Super Rocket Radar, then use it to locate Giovanni at a PokéStop. Defeat him to rescue Shadow Reshiram. The Dragon/Fire-type legendary is available for the first time ever in its shadow form during this event, and the shiny version is also in the pool.

A few counters worth having ready: Shadow Reshiram is weak to Dragon, Ground, and Rock moves. Bring Rayquaza, Palkia, or Kyurem for the Dragon matchup; Groudon, Rhyperior, or Garchomp cover the Ground and Rock angles. Once caught, Reshiram hits hard with Fusion Flare as a charged move, making it one of the best Fire-type attackers in the game.

Pokemon GO Shadow Reshiram event details
Image courtesy of Pokémon GO / The Pokémon Company

New Shadow Pokémon and Charged TM Window

Beyond Giovanni, Team GO Rocket Grunts and Leaders are running an updated Shadow lineup for the event. New Shadow Pokémon appearing for the first time include Shadow Rookidee, Shadow Noibat, Shadow Seel, and Shadow Hoothoot. If any of those are on your want list, this is the window to grind encounters.

Crucially, Charged TMs can remove Frustration from Shadow Pokémon during the event period—a mechanic that only opens during specific Team GO Rocket events. If you have legacy Shadow Pokémon sitting on Frustration that you’ve been unable to retrain, now is the time. Stock up on Charged TMs and work through your collection before 29 June.

Pokemon GO Flying Taxi event bonuses
Image courtesy of Pokémon GO / The Pokémon Company

Event Bonuses and GO Pass Perks

Pokemon GO Team GO Rocket new Shadow lineup
Image courtesy of Pokémon GO / The Pokémon Company

Team GO Rocket appears more frequently at PokéStops and balloons throughout the event window. Field Research tasks reward Fast TMs, Charged TMs, and Mysterious Components. Defeating Grunts and Leaders earns increased Stardust across the board. If you’re on the GO Pass, from 27 June 12:00 AM through 29 June 7:59 PM the daily GO Points cap is lifted—effectively unlimited daily points for the final stretch of the event.

Tonight’s Wingull Spotlight Hour (6:00 PM–7:00 PM local time) runs alongside the Rocket event with a 2× Catch Stardust bonus. Wingull can be Shiny, and the doubled Stardust stacks well with the event’s own Stardust boosts if you’re planning a session around the harbour or any Poké-dense spot in the city.

Singapore trainers heading to Orchard Road, Gardens by the Bay, or any of the usual high-density PokéStop clusters this weekend will find the event well-timed for a grind session. The clock runs to Monday 29 June, 8:00 PM SGT—that’s the hard cutoff for the Giovanni encounter and the Frustration window. Don’t leave it to the last hour. For more on current events, check the Pokémon GO coverage and the official Pokémon GO blog.

Manga Anime, News

Pokémon Horizons Rising Hope Part 3 Hits Netflix — But Not in Singapore

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The third and concluding part of Pokémon Horizons: Season 3—Rising Hope drops on Netflix tomorrow, 26 June, delivering 12 new episodes that bring Liko and Roy’s most intense season to a head. Training camps, Elite Four showdowns, and the ongoing threat of Laquium all converge. One catch for local fans, though: this Netflix release is region-locked to markets outside Asia, so Singapore is not part of the 26 June drop — more on what that means below.

Pokémon Horizons Season 3 Rising Hope cast — Liko, Roy, Ult and their Pokémon
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

What Pokémon Horizons Rising Hope Part 3 Is About

Parts 1 and 2 of Rising Hope left the Rising Volt Tacklers in a tight spot. The Explorers are still at large and actively framing the crew, while Laquium — the dangerous extraterrestrial mineral driving the season’s central mystery — keeps spreading. Part 3 responds with a hard training arc: Liko, Roy, and their Pokémon head to Blueberry Academy, a facility designed for high-level battling and double battle mechanics, where Elite Four members are always ready for a match.

The mystery of Terapagos — the Pokémon whose link to Laquium has been central all season — is also set to deepen. The Brave Olivine receives a mysterious message that kicks off a new sense of urgency, suggesting Part 3 is not simply a long warm-up before a final boss.

Liko, Roy and Dot at Blueberry Academy in Pokémon Horizons Rising Hope Part 3
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Roy, Ult, and a Year’s Worth of Training

Roy arrives at Blueberry Academy noticeably stronger. His new partner is a yellow Lucario with Mega Evolution potential — a Pokémon he trained with during the one-year gap between Season 2 and Rising Hope, and the most tangible sign yet of how much he has grown as a trainer.

Rival trainer Ult, introduced midway through Season 3, continues to develop across Part 3. Quick and competitive, he battles with a Sableye and a second Pokémon still being kept deliberately off-screen before the release. Whether Ult stays as an opponent or eventually becomes something closer to a fellow Volt Tackler is one of the more compelling open questions heading into these final episodes.

Dot rounds out the Blueberry Academy trio with her Gimmighoul and Sinistcha — the kind of unpredictable type matchups that tend to catch even well-prepared opponents off guard.

Roy and rival Ult face off in Pokémon Horizons Season 3 Rising Hope Part 3
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Watch the Official Clip

An Astonishing Battle! — via The Official Pokémon YouTube channel

Can You Watch It in Singapore?

Pikachu in a tense battle moment in Pokémon Horizons Season 3 Rising Hope Part 3
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Short answer: not on Netflix — at least not yet. Despite the worldwide rollout, Pokémon Horizons is not in Netflix’s catalogue in Singapore, or anywhere else in Asia. Netflix holds the streaming rights only outside the region, and Rising Hope Part 3 lands on 26 June in roughly 21 markets — including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, much of Europe, Latin America and South Africa. Singapore is not on that list, so local subscribers will not see the new episodes appear on 26 June.

This applies to the whole series, not just Part 3: the original Pokémon Horizons: The Series and Parts 1 and 2 of Rising Hope are also absent from Netflix Singapore. The official Pokémon YouTube channel has been adding selected episodes over time, though availability varies by region and full seasons are not guaranteed there.

For now there is no confirmed Netflix Singapore — or other local — streaming home for Pokémon Horizons. We will update this post the moment an official Asia or Singapore release is announced, so keep an eye on GameTrader.SG.

For more anime streaming news and updates, keep an eye on GameTrader.SG.

Event

Mega Skarmory Raid Day Is This Saturday — Bonuses, Counters and Tips

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Steel-winged and gold-plated, Mega Skarmory arrives in Pokémon GO for the very first time this Saturday, 27 June — and Singapore trainers have a tight three-hour window from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm local time to catch one. Here’s everything you need.

Mega Skarmory Makes Its Pokémon GO Global Debut

Niantic’s Skarmory Super Mega Raid Day kicks off at 2:00 pm on Saturday, 27 June 2026, running until 5:00 pm local time. This is Mega Skarmory’s first-ever appearance in the game — the Steel/Flying-type’s striking golden Mega form has never appeared in a Pokémon GO raid before. Every trainer starts from zero, with no carry-over Mega Level to lean on.

Shiny Skarmory encounter odds are boosted across the entire event window. In its shiny form, Mega Skarmory swaps the signature gold plumage for a muted grey-green — a striking visual flip from the default. Every Skarmory you catch during the event also starts with Mega Level 1 already unlocked, which saves Mega Energy down the line.

Skarmory official Pokémon artwork showing the Steel/Flying-type before its Mega Evolution
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

Event Bonuses — Free Passes, Shiny Boost and Paid Perks

Even free-to-play trainers get a solid set of bonuses just for showing up:

  • Up to 6 free Raid Passes from spinning Gym Photo Discs during the event window
  • Remote Raid Pass limit raised to 20 (active from Saturday 27 June at 8:00 am SGT through Sunday 28 June at 11:00 am SGT)
  • Every caught Skarmory starts with Mega Level 1 already unlocked
  • Increased shiny encounter rate from Super Mega Raids

The paid event ticket (US$4.99, roughly S$7 at current rates) rewards heavier raiders: up to 14 Raid Passes from Gyms, increased Rare Candy XL drops per raid, and a bonus 5,000 XP plus 5,000 Stardust for every Super Mega Raid completed. Niantic is also selling an Ultra Ticket Box (US$4.99) that bundles the event ticket with a bonus Premium Battle Pass — useful if you’re planning to chain multiple raids. Timed Research available during the event leads to a Premium Battle Pass and an encounter with Houndoom; complete it before 5:00 pm as it expires with the event.

Houndoom official Pokémon artwork — reward from Timed Research during the Skarmory Super Mega Raid Day
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company — Houndoom is the Timed Research encounter reward this Raid Day

Best Counters for Mega Skarmory

Mega Skarmory’s Steel/Flying typing comes with one of the longest resist lists in the game — Dragon, Fairy, Flying, Ground, Normal, Psychic, Steel, Bug, Grass, and Poison all deal reduced damage. Stick to Electric and Fire moves exclusively for optimal DPS.

Top picks:

  • Mega Charizard Y — Fire Spin + Overheat
  • Shadow Heatran — Fire Spin + Magma Storm
  • Regieleki — Thunder Shock + Zap Cannon
  • Shadow Electivire — Thunder Shock + Wild Charge
  • Shadow Raikou — Thunder Shock + Wild Charge

Budget options: Chandelure, Cinderace, and Galarian Darmanitan are accessible picks that perform well without requiring Shadow purification or Mega Energy to activate.

Finding Raids Across Singapore

Super Mega Raids only appear at select Gyms during the event window. Before heading out, check the official web map at pokemongo.com/map to locate which Gyms near you will be hosting one. Gyms at high-traffic parks — East Coast Park, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, and around the Botanic Gardens MRT — tend to attract groups quickly on Raid Days. Super Mega Raids are built for teams, so coordinate with your local crew beforehand and plan multiple runs to make the most of your 6 free passes.

Full event details on the official Pokémon GO news page. More event guides for Singapore trainers in our archive.

Game News, Shop and Merchandise

Mega Rayquaza Returns to the Pokémon TCG — Storm Emeralda Drops 31 July in Japan

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Mega Rayquaza is coming back to the Pokémon Trading Card Game in a big way. The Pokémon Company has officially announced Storm Emeralda (ストームエメラルダ), the next expansion pack in the Pokémon Card Game MEGA product line, and it puts one of the franchise’s most iconic Legendaries front and centre.

【公式】「ポケモンカードゲーム」『ポケポケ』にメガレックウザ登場！ — via ポケモン公式YouTubeチャンネル on YouTube

What Is Storm Emeralda?

Storm Emeralda is the latest expansion in the Pokémon Card Game MEGA series — Japan’s current product line that brings Mega Evolution mechanics back to the physical TCG. The set releases in Japan on 31 July 2026 and features Mega Rayquaza ex (メガレックウザex) as its headline card, bringing the Sky High Pokémon into the modern Pokémon Card Game era.

Each booster pack contains 5 cards at ¥200 (tax included), with the full set spanning 76+ card types. Alongside the main expansion, three Mega Starter Sets also launch on 31 July, each built around a fan-favourite Pokémon:

  • Sprigatito & Meowscarada ex Mega Starter Set
  • Eevee ex Mega Starter Set
  • Zorua & Zoroark ex Mega Starter Set
Storm Emeralda official key visual featuring Mega Rayquaza
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

The Summer Campaign: Mega Rayquaza Soaring Through the Sky

The launch is part of a wider summer campaign called 宙駆けるメガレックウザ (“Mega Rayquaza Soaring Through the Sky”), where The Pokémon Company plans for fans to encounter Mega Rayquaza at various locations across Japan this summer. Campaign details and venue listings are up on the official campaign site (Japanese).

Pokémon TCG Pocket Gets Mega Rayquaza Too

If you play Pokémon TCG Pocket on mobile, good news: Mega Rayquaza is landing there as well. The expansion 天空の支配者 (“Ruler of the Sky”) adds Mega Rayquaza to the app on 30 July 2026, one day before the physical set drops in Japan. Both launches are tied to the same Mega Rayquaza campaign.

Mega Rayquaza official illustration from The Pokemon Company
Image courtesy of The Pokémon Company

When Can Singapore Fans Get Storm Emeralda?

No Singapore retail date has been confirmed, but the international rollout currently looks like this:

  • 30 July 2026 — Pokémon TCG Pocket “Ruler of the Sky” expansion (global app)
  • 31 July 2026 — Japan physical release (¥200/pack, importable)
  • 7 August 2026 — Taiwan and Hong Kong regional release
  • 6 November 2026 — English release as Pokémon TCG: Delta Reign

Singapore TCG players who want Japanese booster boxes early can expect local import stores and online sellers to stock them within a couple of weeks of the Japan launch. The English Delta Reign set will be the competitive-legal version for most local tournaments and typically carries a Singapore retail price — watch for pre-orders from local card shops closer to November.

You can check out more Pokémon TCG news and shop and merch updates on the blog.

Last Words

Mega Rayquaza holds a special place in the Pokémon fandom — its Ruby and Sapphire lore, dramatic Mega Evolution design, and years of competitive dominance make it one of those Legendaries that never really goes out of style. Storm Emeralda gives Singapore collectors three months’ notice before the English Delta Reign lands, which is plenty of time to decide whether to hunt Japanese boxes or wait for the English set. Either way, the Mega Starter Sets (Meowscarada, Eevee, Zoroark) look like a smart entry point for newer players joining for the hype. Keep an eye on local card shops — pre-orders for import boxes tend to go fast.