Summary
- Pokemon trading cards set to return to McDonald's Happy Meals this year.
- The collab is expected to start in October or November in the United States.
It looks like Pokemon fans can look forward to Pokemon trading cards coming back to McDonald's Happy Meals later this year. Pokemon and McDonald's have collaborated for well over a decade. Pokemon cards have been added to McDonald's Happy Meals every year since 2011, and there have been various other Pokemon/McDonald's collabs as well.
In fact, a Pokemon x McDonald's collab is happening at this very moment. While the promotion is currently only available in Japan, Pokemon toys based on the Pokemon Horizons anime series are being added to McDonald's Happy Meals for a limited time. The toys take inspiration from the core characters from the anime series and are being released in waves.
McDonald's Releasing Collector Cups Based on Classic Happy Meal Toys
McDonald's is introducing a Collector's Meal on August 13, which includes nostalgic collectible cups featuring beloved characters and franchises.
It's unclear if the current Pokemon/McDonald's toys will be released outside of Japan, but it's a safe bet that the trading cards will. According to a report by PokeBeach, McDonald's in France will be hosting its Pokemon TCG promotion from December 4, 2024 to January 21, 2025. PokeBeach has noted that, traditionally, the French version of the Pokemon TCG promotion takes place "a month or two" after it happens in the US, meaning those stateside should be able to expect Pokemon cards back in their McDonald's Happy Meals this fall, in October or November. PokeBeach noted that the Pokemon TCG promotion at McDonald's usually happens earlier in the year, but it's unclear exactly why this year's is happening later. In any case, it should be stressed that plans for the US version of the McDonald's Pokemon cards have not been announced in an official capacity, and so fans should keep their expectations in check until then.
Pokemon Cards Coming Back to McDonald's
The actual cards that will be featured in the new McDonald's Pokemon promotion have not been revealed at the time of this writing.
Chances are that Pokemon trading cards will return to McDonald's this fall as predicted. Maybe the collab will coincide with the launch of the Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket mobile game. Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket is a new mobile take on the Pokemon Trading Card game and looks like it has a ton of potential based on what's been shown so far. However, a specific release date for the mobile app has not been announced, and there's no guarantee that its release will be any time close to the McDonald's promotion. It is expected to launch at some point in 2024, however.
As far as Pokemon cards go, fans can look forward to new releases later this year and in 2025. With no new main series Pokemon games coming out in 2024, fans can expect the card game to continue taking its cues from Scarlet and Violet for the time being.
- Created by
- Satoshi Tajiri
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon spans games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music, and more.