It is finally here. 2026. The big three-zero. If you thought the 25th anniversary with those McDonald’s cards and the Katy Perry music video was a lot, you aren't ready for the sheer volume of "stuff" hitting the shelves this month.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of. Between the Mega Latios ex drops in the mobile app and the leaked "Wind and Waves" rumors for the Switch 2, your wallet is probably already sweating.
Pokemon Deals and News: The 30th Anniversary Blitz
Everyone wants a piece of the nostalgia. February 27 is the official birthday, but the Pokemon deals and news cycle for the anniversary has already kicked off in mid-January. If you’re looking to save money, you have to be fast because the "investors" (scalpers, let’s be real) are already clearing out Target and Amazon.
Right now, the best bang for your buck is actually at Amazon. The Mega Kangaskhan ex Box just took a massive nosebleed in price, dropping 37% to roughly $29.45.
Why does this matter? Well, individual booster packs for the newer Mega Evolution sets are currently hovering around $10 to $15 on the secondary market. This box gives you four packs plus a promo. It’s basically like getting the promo card and the oversized card for free, then getting a discount on the packs themselves.
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Check the "See All Buying Options" button on the product page. Sometimes Amazon hides the lowest price under third-party sellers even when they're fulfilled by Amazon.
What’s Happening in the TCG World?
If you're a player or a collector, you've probably noticed that we are firmly in the Mega Evolution era. It’s not just a gimmick; it’s completely shifted the market.
- Destined Rivals: This set is the current "it" girl of the TCG. The Gold Hyper Rares are the hardest pulls we've seen in years.
- Paradox Rift Stabilization: If you missed the Ancient and Future hype from 2023, good news. Market data from January 16 shows that cards like the Groudon Illustration Rare (sitting at about $70) have finally leveled off.
- The Pokemon Day 2026 Collection: This hits stores on January 30. It’s a $15-$20 bundle that includes a Pikachu promo with a 30th-anniversary stamp. Don't pay more than MSRP for this. It's meant to be a mass-produced celebration item.
The Digital Side: TCG Pocket and Legends Z-A
I’ve been spending way too much time on Pokémon TCG Pocket lately. The Mega Latios ex Drop Event is live right now (running until January 26). You basically have to grind through four tiers of solo battles.
It uses "event stamina," so you can't just binge it all in twenty minutes unless you’ve been hoarding event hourglasses. The big prize is that Mega Latios ex promo card. It has exclusive artwork that you can’t get in standard packs.
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Is the Mega Dimension DLC Worth $30?
This is the big debate in the community right now. Pokémon Legends: Z-A just got its Mega Dimension DLC. It adds about 6 to 8 hours of story centered around Lumiose City.
You get nearly 20 "new" Mega Evolutions, including ones for Staraptor and Golisopod. There’s also this new mechanic called "Z Mega Evolution." It makes your Pokémon move faster, but you burn through your Mega Power gauge like crazy.
Is it worth thirty bucks? If you’re a completionist who wants to hunt the 100+ added Pokémon from previous regions, yeah. If you just want a long story, it might feel a bit thin compared to the Scarlet and Violet DLC from a few years back.
Pokemon Horizons Season 3 is Finally on Netflix
For the anime fans, Rising Hope (Season 3) dropped on January 6. Liko and Roy are officially trying to rebuild the Rising Volt Tacklers.
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The coolest part? Roy actually has a Lucario that can Mega Evolve now. It feels like the anime is finally catching up to the "Mega" theme that’s dominating the games and cards this year. If you’re watching in the US, expect the next batch of episodes around March or April.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Gen 10 Leaks
You’ve probably seen the titles "Pokémon Wind" and "Pokémon Wave" floating around.
Here is the reality: nothing is official until the Pokémon Day livestream in February. However, the leaks are getting very specific. We’re hearing rumors of an Australian-inspired region and a new "Majin" mechanic.
Whether these come to the current Switch or the "Switch 2" is the $500 question. Most industry insiders expect a dual release or a massive graphical update for the next-gen console.
Actionable Strategy for January 2026
- Stop buying Paradox Rift packs. Seriously. The "Value Watch" data shows it’s significantly cheaper to buy the singles you want (like that Mantyke or Yveltal) than to gamble on packs that are becoming harder to find.
- Camp the Pokemon Center website on January 30. The 30th Anniversary merch is going to sell out in seconds. If you want the Pikachu plush with the Mega Evolution hat, you need to be logged in with your payment info saved by 9:00 AM EST.
- Complete your TCG Pocket daily quests. They recently overhauled the Battle Pass to reach Level 100. They also buffed the XP for daily missions, so it’s actually possible to finish the pass now without spending a fortune on Poké Gold.
- Watch the Mega Kangaskhan box price. If it dips below $28, buy it. That is the floor for a box with four modern packs.
The 30th anniversary is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. Keep an eye on the official Pokémon Day countdown, but don't let the FOMO trick you into paying 3x market price for stuff that's still in production.
Next Steps for You:
Check your local Target or Walmart for the Pokémon Day 2026 Collection placeholders this week. If you're a TCG Pocket player, prioritize your event stamina on the Mega Latios battles before the January 26 deadline to ensure you snag that promo card.