The market for high-end collectibles like rare Pokémon cards has exploded in recent years, and GameStop seems to want a piece of it. The gaming retailer told some store managers this week that it would begin testing buying Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) graded trading cards later this month as it flails around for a new business strategy while its meme stock shenanigans continue.
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“Exciting news,” read an internal message shared over on the GameStop subreddit yesterday. “We are happy to announce that we are officially getting into Graded Collectibles. Starting tomorrow, all associates will have access to the Main Menu Learning Course around accepting PSA Graded Collectibles (Just Trading Cards for now).” The company said the program’s rollout would begin next week in just 258 stores to start, including some located in Texas where GameStop is headquartered.
It’s not clear yet how the program will work, if GameStop plans to resell the cards in-store, or what the limit will be on the prices it can pay. Some self-identified employees on the subreddit have speculated that the stores will only be allowed to buy collectibles graded PSA 8 and above. Still, the prices for those can run from, say, $50 for a Raging Bolt Ex from the recent Temporal Forces Pokémon set to over $29,000 for a rarer Charizard from the original base set.
The backbone of GameStop’s business once upon a time was used video games. After players completed a new release, they could sell it back to the company for a fraction of the MSRP, which GameStop would then turn around and sell to a new player for almost the full cost of the new version of the game. This “circle of life” propelled GameStop to huge profits in the early 2010s, but has fallen apart as the majority of game purchases have gone digital.
More recently, the company has doubled down on branded merchandise and collectibles like Funko-Pops and statues of video game characters to make up the shortfall. Despite raking in $1 billion thanks to a meme-fueled stock bonanza, GameStop’s pivots to cryptocurrency, PC gaming gear, and even TVs hasn’t yielded a new path forward for its ailing business. All along the way, GameStop employees have born the brunt the company’s excesses, failings, and resulting cuts.
It’s unclear if GameStop’s longstanding reputation for poor trade-in deals will extend to its new collectibles program. “10% market price take it or leave it,” joked one person on Reddit. “5% market price cash, 10% market price in store credit, and they sell them at 500% market price.”
Nintendo’s Pokémonseries has had a powerful grip on pop culture for decades, and it’s doubtful to change anytime soon. The bulk of that power comes from the video and trading card games, along with the eternally ongoing anime and the movies and shows that’ve spun out of that. So how do you make one of the biggest video game properties even bigger? You take the big, bold jump to Hollywood.
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First released in Japan on May 3, 2019 and then the following week in the US, Detective Pikachuwas the first ever live-action Pokémon movie, and also Nintendo’s first video game movie since Super Mario Bros. If anyone ever thought Pokémon would get a big budget flick, they probably didn’t think it’d come courtesy of Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, let alone based off a 2016 spinoff game where brand mascot Pikachu is a private eye with the voice of Ryan Reynolds. Yeah, the monsters all looked impressively real and tangible in ways fans had always dreamed, but having Deadpool as the leading ‘mon could’ve undercut everything. Was this going to work?
Image: Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures/The Pokémon Company
The answer turned out to be “yes”: Detective Pikachu netted fairly positive reviews and made $450.1 million worldwide. Back then, it’d been the highest-grossing video game movie of its time, at least until the Super Mario movie knocked it off its pedestal last year. If the world hadn’t been hit with the pandemic and Hollywood strikes in the 2020s so far, we’d likely have a sequel by now; Portlandia co-creator Jonathan Krisel was tapped to direct it last year working off a script by Chris Galetta, but it seems at least two years off, minimum. (Coming out as Avengers: Endgamewas still in theaters probably wasn’t right move, either.) As is, it’s a well-regarded movie that made a decent impression in the video game movie space whose future got buried underneath some bad luck.
At the same time, it appears to have made a decent impact when it comes to Pokémon’s transmedia output. The anime was always going to persist whether it did well or not, but the film’s success has certainly helped open Nintendo’s mind to the possibilities of what this franchise could be. Without it, we likely wouldn’t have Pokémon Conciergeor the original drama series Pocket ni Bōken wo Tsumekonde, which is about the reach and impact of Pokémon rather than being set in its world. And this is just what we know about—a Pokémon Direct or two from now, we may learn that Nintendo’s got plans of doing up a movie universe in the vein of what Paramount’s doing with Sonic the Hedgehog.
Image: Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures/The Pokémon Company
Compared to other video game adaptations like Falloutand The Last of Us, or even Arcane, it wouldn’t be wrong to feel like Detective Pikachu has gotten overlooked. Its time in the sun will surely come whenever that sequel rolls around. In that way, it’s like the anime: whatever comes next will hopefully be an evolution that buils upon the winning formula of its predecessor. And if not, well, at least we’ve got a video of Pikachu dancing to brighten the day.
The feeling of being somewhere overwhelmingly positive is unusual. In 2024, it seems ever-more likely that even the most upbeat of events would be coated in a veneer of cynicism, if not outright skepticism. But at the Pokémon Europe International Championships (EUIC), every person I spoke to was bubbling with unadulterated happiness just to be there. And for all of them, without exception, it was a love for Pokémon that was driving this preternatural positivity.
April’s EUIC was, according to some who have been attending the championships for years, the largest ever. Official figures suggest over 10,000 people attended the three-day event in London’s ExCel Center, 4,500 of them competitors in the various fields, from the card game to the video games. And yet, despite such huge numbers of people, it all felt undeniably lovely. There were no reports of incidents, no flipped tables, and a pervading feeling of calm throughout. As a world-leading misanthrope, sporting a heavy cold, I was fascinated to feel this way. I was determined to find out why.
Photo: Kotaku
Cultivating an atmosphere
“I just love Pokémon!” says one splendid lady I meet, dressed as Gothorita, accompanied by her daughter (cosplaying Gothita), and a childhood friend dressed up, appropriately, as trainer Caitlin. The three of them are here spectating, despite often playing the trading card game (TCG) at their local Geek Retreat. “It’s like my childhood,” Gothorita adds.
This is the central sentiment among so many people I spoke to. So many people citing Pokémon as the special factor, the colorful exuberance of a child-focused franchise overriding the more aggressive cultures associated with video games and TCGs. Magic: The Gathering meet-ups, say, are unquestionably fantastic spaces, but the nature of the base game doesn’t exude a sense of family-first. Here, everyone has to at least tacitly acknowledge they’re gathering because of a shared passion for the cartoon electric mouse and his magical friends.
I plopped myself down next to two guys who’d just finished a day-one round of what the locals call “VGC,” meaning battling teams in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. The winner of the match was Simon Van der Borght, known in Pokémon circles as Shmon, a sometimes-commentator and judge for the events. The Belgian player, dressed in a spectacularly garish Pokémon-emblazoned jacket, bubbled with excitement about the event. Shmon enthused about the EUIC, talking about how it’s grown in scale over the years, and about how many friends he’s made through attending and competing. “It really makes me happy!” he declared. I asked him about his first time playing competitively, and he used a term that I’d hear again and again over the event. “Immediately I fell in love with the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere” was almost everyone’s first answer when I asked why they were enjoying their time here. It’s an intangible thing, hard to qualify or pin down, but I think it captures senses of safety, comfort, and positivity. There’s an idea that things aren’t wrong here, that no matter what waits outside the enormous convention center, in here we’re good. We’re good people, doing a fun thing, with no judgment. “It makes my heart flutter to see these people!” Shmon declares, “and even when they’re not doing well, still enjoy their time with Pokémon! This community is so strong and so nice to each other that I really love coming back time and time again.”
Photo: Kotaku
The community is lovely!
Speaking of people who’ve come back time and again, I grabbed a chance to chat with the man behind legendary Pokémon site Serebii—Joe Merrick—as well as long-time Pokémon commentator and YouTuber Ross Gilbert, better known as PTCGRadio. Both have been attending the EUIC since it started, since they were in “the event room of a theme park” as Gilbert puts it. “You’re talking 150 people total in the room, and it’s very much a school trip kind of atmosphere. Yeah, everyone’s having fun, but it’s very quiet. Whereas here, it’s a celebration. You walk around the room, there’s people trading, people drawing, there’s people playing side events…”
Merrick and Gilbert are no strangers to controversy, and to the far more toxic nature of online communities. Serebii receives an inconceivable amount of negativity and vitriol, with new Twitter storms brewing every other day. But both say that here, in person, there’s none of that. “It’s indicative of the Pokémon community in general,” says Merrick. “Yeah, I mean, it gets a lot of hate online, because—you know—people are negative online, and [so] people say, ‘Oh this community is terrible.’ But when you’re actually in a room with the actual community, the community is lovely!”
Both are overwhelmed by the growth of the event. 2023’s EUIC had approximately 1,500 playing in the TCG Masters event (there are also Junior and Senior divisions), whereas this year that number was closer to 2,700. We speculate over whether the spike in interest in the cards in 2021, caused by the imperfect storm of global covid lockdowns and Jake Paul paying $5 million for a Pokémon card, has now led to this growth in interest in playing the game itself. Ross adds, “[So] there’s more people every year that are like, ‘I fancy going to a regional… Oh look, EUIC’s in London this year…”
Merrick points out that there are also many reasons to come along to the event if you’re not competing. “You’ve got the Activity Zone, you’ve got the festival stalls, they’ve even got a challenge on how fast you can beat Red in Pokémon Red and Blue. It’s stuff like that that’s going to bring people in. It’s going to make people realize, you know what, Pokémon is cool!”
“They’ve got a bunch of random consoles where you can go and play all the games, even Pokkén Tournament,” interjects Gilbert. “They’ve got a quiet room for people who are having a bit of a stressful day, to go chill out in. They’re constantly thinking and acting on how they can make this better for every different type of Pokémon fan.”
Photo: Kotaku
Making friends and influencer people
One of the many extra events put on was the Battle Labs, where Pokémon Professors helped people new to either the video game or the card game learn how to play. Standing in line for the TCG lab, I spoke to Aoife, who’d traveled over from the West of Ireland to accompany her partner who was competing. Through Pokémon, her partner had formed a group of 12 friends who would all play together, sometimes booking giant Airbnbs for them and their partners to holiday together. Her partner, Sean, had wanted to try competing at a larger event, so they’d traveled over for the EUIC, leaving Aoife to entertain herself. “I’m here on my own,” she told me, “but I don’t feel nervous at all. Everyone here is just so nice, and the atmosphere is lovely, because everyone’s into the same thing.”
I spoke to Aoife on day two of the event, and she compared—with a laugh—leaving Sean to compete in the Swiss rounds (where players are paired up against others with the same win/loss ratio) with dropping him off at daycare. “I am able to go around and do my own thing, I’ve done lots of activities. This event is amazing.”
That sense of feeling safe was echoed when I spoke to Instagram influencer Poke Girl Rach. We mused on the family-first nature of the place, and how the shared fondness for Pokémon breaks down so many social barriers. “It’s my favorite thing to come to events. You just know you’re surrounded by like-minded people,” she explained. “It’s a really good atmosphere, a super-warm atmosphere.” Rachel Gunn got started on Instagram during the covid lockdowns, describing herself at the time as “a bit lonely.” Driven by a desire to connect with people, she began sharing her lifelong passion for Pokémon, including a sizable plush collection, and grew a community while continuing with her career in finance. Those communities have become such a pivotal part of her life that friends made within them came to her wedding. As we chatted, she was planning for the community meet-ups that were arranged for this event. “I’ve a massive friend group now,” she tells me, before we get distracted talking about the merch we picked up in the pop-up Pokémon Center.
Photo: Kotaku
Pokémon is for everyone
Wandering the floor, I bumped into YouTuber PokeDean. “Crazy,” he said when I asked if he was having a good time. “Every time I come to EUIC it seems to be getting bigger and bigger. The atmosphere today is absolutely incredible.” Not competing this year (“I took part last year and I got humiliated.”), Dean had come along just as a spectator for 2024. Given the YouTuber is about to launch a physical store with his business partner PokiChloe, I wondered how he could possibly have the time. “It’s only because I really love the atmosphere here. I love getting to meet a lot of like-minded people, seeing some amazing players take part.”
Given just how much animosity I see whenever I read Pokémon discourse online, the sheer scale of derision as every new announcement is greeted by fury from long-time fans, I’m so struck by these repeated refrains of how differently this community expresses itself in real life. I wonder if a large part of the online animosity comes from those who have forgotten that Pokémon is…well, it’s primarily for children. On purpose. As in, it’s deliberately, by careful planning and design, for children, and then also accessible to adults.
Serebii’s Joe Merrick agrees. “Pokémon, in times past, people would age out of it. But a lot of people, they’ve grown up, they like it, but they have wanted it to grow up with them. So, if they want this edgy, dark reboot, set in a dystopian Kalos—that’s not gonna happen. Let’s face it: Pokémon is a kids’ game. That’s how they continue getting people in, because you’re not having people age out any more. People just need to understand, it’s for everyone. Not just for them.”
I mention Aoife, taking part in the Pokémon Labs to learn to play the TCG, because she wanted to better understand her partner’s passion. “Something like that is absolutely brilliant,” says YouTuber Ross Gilbert. “You can come here with no interest in competitive TCG, VG, GO, or Unite, and you’ll find stuff to do all weekend.
So where do these two old hats (a term they were less than enamored with) see the tournaments heading? “Bigger,” they both say at the same time. Between them they begin speculating whether the event will eventually take over both halves of the enormous ExCel arena, or if it will entirely outgrow the building, perhaps have to look at spaces the size of London’s O2 arena.
Even this black heart…
Over the weekend, I spoke to families where at least one member was being dragged along by others, but seemed to be having a great time despite it. I spoke to female competitors who were there on their own, but didn’t feel intimidated or concerned at all. I saw extraordinary diversity—by age, race, gender identity. I saw huge groups of friends gathering in corridors to celebrate victories, impromptu card trading groups breaking out in dining areas, and kids freaking out to see Pikachu come dancing by.
Sick as a dog, there on my own without anyone else I already knew, and a life-long misanthrope, the event weaved its magic on me too. I spent ages chatting with delightful strangers, added new friends on socials, and almost missed my three-hour coach ride home because of how comfortable I felt in this crowd of ten-thousand people. It’s always a pleasure to remember that online misery rarely translates to the real world, but even better when that real world is so utterly delightful.
Pokémon Go was the best thing ever to me when it first came out in 2016.
It was like all my favorite Pokémon games in one. You could find them and catch them out in the wild, and you could take photographs with them. As someone with an interest in photography (but lacking the equipment and well, talent) I loved the game’s photo mode. From 2016 onwards, whenever I went somewhere new, I liked to snap a picture of a Pokemon in that area. Maybe I’d get a Lapras in the ocean or a Koffing in central London. You get the idea.
Some Pokémon cards are highly sought, especially by collectors and by resellers looking to make a quick buck off of rare cards, or cards with distinguishing characteristics that make them more valuable. For example, a card signed by illustrator Naoki Saito reportedly sold for over $100,000 in July 2023, which has had the unfortunate side effect of prompting folks to harass and stalk the artist in ways he recently said made him fear for his life.
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Saito is best known for his work as a contributing artist for the Duel Masters Trading Card Game, Hatsune Miku merchandise, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Saito has drawn over 280 Pokémon cards, with many of them hitting online resell markets for absolutely ridiculous prices, particularly if he emblazoned them with his John Hancock. This has made the combination of his art and his signature something of a collectible item for admirers and enthusiasts, and some folks will stop at nothing to get their hands on signed copies of his work. Now, though, Saito is so terrified by the fervor that he may never sign another card again.
Posting to Twitter in Japanese on February 24 (and translated by VGC on February 27), Saito said he’s repeatedly been “systematically ambushed and surrounded” by multiple people at once, all vying for his autograph. The situation got so bad that, at a recent event he didn’t disclose, Saito said he was “followed by a car for several minutes.” As a result, he won’t personally sign anything until things—and people—calm down.
“I have always been very happy to be asked for autographs, so I have always done my best to respond to all requests for autographs,” Saito wrote, calling the situations in which people ambush him in groups or while he’s traveling “very annoying.” He stated that at some events, people desperate for his autograph have “been making phone calls to the event management under false identities, trying to confirm my schedule.”
In a February 27 Automaton report, the editor and writer Shinya Kusaka, who was reportedly with Saito at the time of the car stalking incident, said that the pursuers were so skilled at chasing the artist that they followed Saito into narrow alleyways. Kusaka said that the relentless hawking has caused Saito “severe mental distress,” with folks apparently coercing him into handing out his autograph. Some people, according to Kusaka, even went as far as lying about their sick family members to get Saito’s signature, which just seems like a wild low for resellers.
Kotaku has reached out to Saito for comment.
I understand wanting a signature from your fave celebrity, whether that be an artist, musician, writer, or whatever else. That autograph can make for a nice memento and a fantastic memory worth retelling. However, harassing and stalking someone to essentially force them to sign something just so you can make a profit off it? That ain’t it, so hopefully, folks will learn to leave people alone. Saito is just trying to live.
A new Pokémon Legends game is coming to the “Nintendo Switch family of systems” in 2025. Pokémon Legends: Z-A, announced Tuesday with a brief teaser trailer, is an “ambitious new entry” into the series that will launch simultaneously worldwide. It’s also fuel for the fire that a new Nintendo Switch console is coming next year.
The first Pokémon Legends game, Arceus, launched in 2022. Arceus was new ground for the franchise: the first open-world game in the series, something for which fans had long clamored. The Pokémon Company offered little in the way of details on Z-A, which will take place in Lumiose City of the Kalos region, the France-inspired setting introduced in Pokémon X and Y. In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, “an urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon.”
Wording around the game’s launch, specifically that it will come to Nintendo “systems,” has already caught the eye of some fans. While that could refer to variations on the Switch—the Switch Lite, the OLED model—reports earlierthis month suggest that the Switch successor is expected in 2025. VGC reports that the delay could be a push to give Nintendo time to line up “stronger first-party software.”
Anticipation for a new Nintendo console couldn’t be higher. It’s been nearly seven years since the company introduced the Switch and more than two since the OLED version dropped. All the more reason for fans to speculate about when the next system might come. Following Tuesday’s Z-A announcement, “Switch 2”—the name commonly given to the (presumably) forthcoming console—began trending on X with fans posting “I can care about Pokémon again” and “The Switch 2 has to be next year because I just know they don’t want us playing the new Pokémon game in 30 [frames per second].”
The new Switch’s existence is hardly a secret these days; during GDC’s 2024 state-of-the-industry survey, 8 percent of polled developers said they were working on games for its successor. It’s not a question of if the Switch 2 exists; it’s when Nintendo will finally announce it.
Hey, remember that little game Palworld? Well as of today, it’s surpassed a staggering 25 million players, all within about a month of its early access launch. That’s a lot of people shooting at or alongside their legally distinct “pals,” not Pokémon. Love it or hate it—or don’t get it all, like myself—people have certainly been showing up in droves to see what Palworld is all about after being hyped up as “Pokémon With Guns.”
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According to developer Pocketpair, its open-world survival game Palworld has crossed this impressive milestone across both the Steam and Xbox versions of the game. On Steam at least, where the game is in early access and for purchase, Palworld has sold nearly 15 million copies. The remaining 10 million players in that figure are on Xbox and Windows, where Palworld is available as part of the Game Preview program via Xbox Game Pass. Though it has slowed over the course of the last month, it’s still an impressive figure that makes Palworld the biggest release of the year two months in.
Palworld’s ascendancy from meme to legit hit has been an astonishing sight. For a while there, it seemed to be growing by a million or so players a day. By the end of January, Palworld was sitting pretty at about 20 million players, dwarfing pretty much any other release at the time. Not all the attention Palworld has received in the month since has been great, though. Its popularity raised concerns about the potential use of AI in its development, and of course, some very valid points about how closely its “pals” resemble a number of existing Pokémon. It was all enough attention to get a statement out of The Pokémon Company claiming they were essentially keeping an eye on Palworld.
Nonetheless, Palworld’s rise continues, even if some of its initial engagement has dropped off over the last month, and I’m sure we’ll be updating these numbers for a while to come.
The Pokémon Company is on February 27 at 9AM ET to share “exciting Pokémon news” on its The yearly stream, appropriately named Pokémon Presents, will provide a bunch of info about what’s coming down the pike throughout 2024.
The company does this stream every year, but this one could be special. After all, it happens to fall exactly on the totally not made-up holiday Pokémon Day, which celebrates the original Japanese release of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green back in 1996.
We don’t know exactly what will be shown, but we have some informed guesses. Given previous Pokémon Presents streams, we’ll likely get updates on live-service hits like Pokémon Go, the MOBA Pokémon Unite and the Pokémon Sleep.
Dollars to doughnuts, we’ll also get something more substantial to chew on. Most of these streams feature the announcement of an actual Pokémon RPG. Chronologically speaking, it’s too soon to expect a reveal for the true next-gen Pokémon game, as Scarlet and Violet The mainline entries typically follow a three-year release cycle.
That leaves remakes and spinoffs. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl released in 2021 so it’s high-time for remakes of the beloved Pokémon Black and White fifth-gen titles. This is just a guess, but it’s not like the Pokémon Company is gonna skip a generation in its remake-a-palooza. It’s Black and White’s turn to shine.
There’s also a chance we’ll get a new Let’s Go title set in another region of the Poké-verse. We could even get a new action RPG like There’s always going to be some oddball announcements, like a new Pokémon Mystery Dungeon or even a new Pokémon Art Academy that integrates the Switch’s touchscreen.
You should expect some announcements regarding content set in the Pokémon cinematic universe. The delightfully quirky was just so we could see a teaser. There could also be a trailer for a new season of Pokémon Horizons: The Series.
Also, to throw a bit of cold water on expectations, this is a stream conducted by The Pokémon Company, and not Nintendo. You won’t catch a whiff of software planned for the Switch 2, or whatever the new console ends up being called. Rumors swirl that the release of that console Nintendo’s holding its own but it’ll focus on third-party titles and will likely not include any news on the forthcoming console.
Card battling games are often beloved by many gamers who enjoy fairly straightforward and relaxing gameplay mechanics, or an element of collecting different cards and building decks to go up against your opponents. If you’re looking for some new card collecting and battling games to try out on PC, we’ve rounded up 10 of the most suitable titles that are likely to take your interest.
Hearthstone
Image Source: Blizzard Entertainment
Hearthstone is a great choice if you’re looking for a new digital card-battling game to play. Not only is this title free to play and available on both PC and mobile, enabling you to play even on the go, but there are multiple variants of the game to keep you entertained.
Classic Hearthstone involves collecting cards, building decks, and battling other players. Battlegrounds is an auto chess card battling game where eight players duke it out for the number one spot by building an active bench from card options that are randomly generated each turn, and Mercenaries enables players to collect mercenaries and build an active party, leveling them up through progressive quests.
Pokemon TCGO
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
If you’re a massive fan of collecting and playing with Pokemon cards IRL, then you’ll surely love Pokemon Trading Card Game Online. Hell, even if you’re not into the physical cards but you enjoy Pokemon, then you’ll be likely to gain enjoyment from this title. Pokemon TCGO is free to download and play and operates the same as the physical card game, just in digital format.
Furthermore, if you do like to buy physical Pokemon card packs, you can use the code cards inside these packs to unlock a digital pack of the same variant in Pokemon TCGO. You can build your deck, complete matches against player CPUs, or other online players, earn coins to buy more packs through gameplay, trade cards with other users, and stay up to date with all of the latest expansion packs.
Marvel Snap
Image Source: Marvel Snap Zone
Marvel Snap is a great choice for several reasons. Firstly, and most obviously, it is adapted from a much-beloved franchise, giving everyone a chance to embrace their favorite heroes and villains through collection and gameplay. Secondly, matches of Marvel Snap only last an average of 3 minutes, meaning that the game is relatively simple, easy to pick up, and fast-paced.
Because of this, you can get a very decent amount of matches played within a relatively short period, especially in comparison to other titles. On top of this, Marvel Snap is free to play, and even has a mobile option to play on the go.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
Image Source: Konami via Twinfinite
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is a free-to-play digital adaptation of the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game and is just one of many Yu-Gi-Oh game titles in existence. However, this title, in particular, stands out not just for being very accessible due to both being free and having a mobile version to play on the go, but also because it offers so many fun features. You can play solo matches to learn mechanics and unlock new cards to power your deck, or go up against other players in one of several different multiplayer duel options.
You can also earn points through dueling to spend on digital card packs to further your collection and give you more options for refining your decks with new monsters, spells, and traps, which keeps playing in repetition feel that much more worth it. Lastly, Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel also tends to have in-game events, enabling you to double down on rewards from time to time.
Slay the Spire
Image Source: Mega Crit
Slay the Spire is a single-player deckbuilding game that combines everything players love about roguelikes and card-battling titles. With hundreds of different cards to obtain, deck building in Slay the Spire is nothing less than a joy, enabling you to establish strategy through the synergy of your cards. You’re also in charge of your decisions in Slay the Spire, with the Spire changing through each journey.
As the player, you get to decide which paths you take and make decisions that may lead to discovering bosses, relics, or new cards to further improve your deck. You can even participate in a custom mode, which enables you to select from many different gameplay modifiers, enabling a unique experience.
Monster Train
Image Source: Good Shepherd Entertainment
Monster Train is a strategic roguelike deckbuilding game in which you can choose different routes, each location offering you various benefits. From upgrading cards, recruiting units, and upgrading your champion, there is plenty to do as you work your way through Monster Train.
With several different clans, there are many different primary and secondary combinations you can select to form your deck and create unique synergies. With this amount of content in the game, there is enough to keep you entertained for numerous hours, as there’s just so much you’ll find yourself wanting to try out along the way.
Inscryption
Image Source: Devolver Digital
Inscryption is a game that blends elements of escape rooms and roguelike deck builders with a dark, horror-like aesthetic. However, Inscryption does not just focus on these core deckbuilding and horror elements alone but also contains a narrative that will keep players on their toes by throwing twists and turns at their faces around every corner. Devoted fans seem to preach that to get the best experience from Inscryption, players should head into the game as blind as possible, so we’ll leave the information at that.
Magic: The Gathering Arena
Image via Wizards of the Coast
If you’re a fan of the Magic: The Gathering Trading Card game, then Magic: The Gathering Arena may be the perfect digital card game for you, as this form of the game enables you to play for free against your friends without the need for digging out your physical cards.
Magic: The Gathering Arena has also been set up with new players in mind, meaning there’s no experience with Magic needed to jump in and start having fun — you can simply play and learn the game as you go, thanks to well-structured tutorials. Once you’ve got the hang of things and are starting to feel confident, you can even enter in-game tournaments to try your hand at winning some prizes or participate in in-game events.
Legends of Runeterra
Image Source: Riot Games
Look, a few months ago people were complaining that Legends of Runeterra was well headed toward the grave, but as of recently, Riot has confirmed this is far from the truth, which is all the more reason to give this one a try. Players will be able to collect cards featuring elements and characters from the world of Runeterra, known through the MOBA game, League of Legends, and the animated series, Arcane.
Players can choose to embark on solo adventures by facing off against AI or turn to battle others in PvP matches. LoR is fairly well-balanced and surprisingly generous to players who want an entirely free-to-play experience, in comparison to other titles that may favor paid ‘meta’ cards or decks.
Many players have shared that within a year of playing without spending a single cent, they have gained access to any card that they want, which creates feelings that the time you invest in the game is very rewarding. If you’re looking for a card game referencing a very unique and lovable universe that also carries some of the most fair monetization on the market, Legends of Runeterra is worth a shot.
The Elder Scrolls: Legends
Image Source: Bethesda Softworks
The Elder Scrolls: Legends is a free-to-play card game revolving around the beloved Elder Scrolls franchise. Unfortunately, there’s both good news and bad news when it comes to considering this title for your next card-battling game go-to. We’ll break the bad news first: The Elder Scrolls: Legends has unfortunately not received any updates in around 2 years, with much of the playerbase accepting that the game has pretty much been abandoned and left in the dust.
However, the good news is that it is still one hundred percent playable, and people still have nothing bad to say about the game — other than they wish it would receive a revival of sorts. This was reason enough to make it in as the final entry of the list, as seeing people talk so passionately about a game that isn’t necessarily receiving the attention it once had is quite a rare thing.
Going off recommendations from players who have put hundreds of hours into the title, you’re likely to still have an absolute blast picking this one up — just be warned: dedicated fans have stated that although the game is thoroughly enjoyable, the lack of attention from devs means that it is not worth forking out on microtransactions to give yourself a head start or advantage.
About the author
Grace Black
Grace is a writer and digital artist from New Zealand with a love for fiction and storytelling. Grace has been writing for Twinfinite for one year and in the games industry for two years. She’s an enthusiast of everything spooky, an occasional anime enjoyer, and a die-hard Ghost-Type Pokemon fangirl. Her favorite video games include Overwatch 2, Life is Strange, The Last of Us, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Pokemon – all of which she will never tire of.
The Pokémon Company’s life-size Psyduck is back. It’s up for preorder on The Pokémon Center United States-based store, just weeks after it was restocked on the Japanese site. The Pokémon Company originally released its 31-inch Psyduck plush back in 2020, a blessing to Pokémon fans during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. It’s been back in stock a few times before, and here it is again, with perfect timing with Netflix’s Pokémon Concierge, starring Psyduck.
Psyduck remains exactly the same as it was then, both stunning and perpetually stunned by its chronic headaches. (Psyduck is a migraine-haver’s icon.) Psyduck measures 31 inches in its Pokédex entry, making the big yellow duck true to life. The only problem is that it’s $324.99 — $45 more expensive than it was in 2020. That’s inflation for you.
The good news, though, is that you now can read user reviews to tell you how awesome owning a life-size Psyduck is:
Words cannot express how pleased I am with this massive Psyduck. Truly, massive. I’m thrilled that he finally came back in stock, and I had no qualms about purchasing him this time around. He shows up in random places around the house and it’s always a shock at first when I see him (most definitely he is using his confusion attack) but then a calmness quickly washes over me, and I feel comfort in knowing that he too, is confused all the time. Be aware that the shipping box is quite large, and says Psyduck on the outside, so don’t let him sit unattended for too long or someone else might try to capture him! He is way too rare and precious. Trust me – buy him and you will not regret it!! PS…he looks fantastic in hats.
There are actually two four star reviews out of the total 70 — the rest are top scores. The main gripe is that Psyduck is a little top heavy, so it falls over relatively easily. But for the most part, Psyduck has been worth the purchase for many Pokémon fans:
He is incredibly rotund and looks confused and distressed at all times, it’s like looking into a mirror! I couldn’t bring myself to place Psyduck on the floor so he takes up half my bed instead. A small price to pay for Psyduck to watch over me while I dream about an Appletun plush restock.
Also, Psyduck came in a box that was not discrete at all. Anyone will be able to read in big bold letters that a 31” Psyduck plush is inside so be ready to intercept the package once it is dropped off otherwise Team Rocket might steal him away.
The Pokémon Company expects to start shipping this new batch of yellow ducks in October. If you can’t wait until then but don’t care about what big Pokémon you have, a tall Lucario, big round Spheal, and massive Wailord are all in stock. In the past, The Pokémon Company’s sold big Mareeps, Slowpokes, and Gigantamax Pikachus among several other large dudes.
In the world of Pokemon, many different designs hold unique charm and appeal, making them quite adorable in the eyes of fans. Traditionally, Dark Type Pokemon wouldn’t be categorized among these other ‘Mons as cute, but even these edgy little beings can be cute and cuddly.
We’ve rounded up ten of the most adorable Dark Type Pokemon that perfectly combine edgy and endearing below, so what are you waiting for? Grab some Pokeballs and try to catch these critters before they run away!
Galarian Zigzagoon
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Look at this spiky fella, he’s like the panda-fied version of the original Hoenn-native Zigzagoon design. From that zig-zagging mouth, tiny sharp teeth, and the tongue hanging out like a cute puppy dog, this punkish Pokemon has quite an adorable appearance.
First released in Pokemon Sword & Shield, Galarian Zigzagoon arrived with characteristics of a raccoon-dog hybrid, which creates this super lovable balance of ‘total gremlin’ and ‘best friend in the world’. According to the Pokedex, this spiked buddy is known for running in zig-zags, and can be an absolute menace, purposely charging into other Pokemon to start a fight and wreaking havoc. Welp, this little guy sure has the punk rock attitude, that’s for sure!
Zorua
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Zorua is a very beloved Pokemon to many fans, and for good reason. Not only does this Dark Type fox have a very mysterious, shadowy appearance, but it also has endearing, lovable features, and a charming, mischievous personality that add character to the little critter. Zorua has tiny, stubby paws, a cloud of dark fluff around its neck, an edgy tuft of hair with red highlights, big, expressive eyes that add to the tricksterish appearance, and tiny eyebrows to emphasize the chaotic expressions this trickster plasters on its face.
Zorua is the perfect partner for any prankster, as this guy loves to use its illusionary abilities to transform into copies of other Pokemon and even people, enabling it to play tricks on those around it. It may be a tad mischievous, but damn, this fox’s smug smirk is more than enough to tug at my heart.
Maschiff
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Look, Maschiff may not have the big sparkly eyes, or lovable lopsided puppy grin with a big tongue sticking out, but this doesn’t stop this Dark Type doggo from being super adorable. Maschiff looks like that one super chewy, grumpy puppy who just can’t wait to hook those teefs into its next bone or toy, tail waggling the entire time.
Truth be told, Maschiff here is all bark, no bite — always carrying a scowl in an attempt to appear intimidating and make opponents take it seriously. However, according to the Pokedex, even crying children will burst into laughter upon looking at Maschiff’s face. D’aaw, this chonky boi is secretly a big softie at heart; how could one not love that?
Morpeko
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Look, if there’s one Pokemon we can all relate to on a spiritual level, it’s Morpeko. This adorable Electric/Dark Dual-Type rodent usually carries a soft yellow color palette, with friendly eyes, and a big, cheery smile. However, upon getting hungry, Morpeko’s personality switches, changing to its ‘Hangry Form’ — taking on a purple coat with bright red eyes. Much like a Snickers bar, Morpeko here relates to the phrase ‘you’re not you when you’re hungry.’
Honestly? I respect it, Morpeko, because we’ve all entered Hangry mode from time to time. However, despite this being the more feral of the two forms, this critter is adorable even when fuelled by anger. Just look at his little scowl, and balled fists in that stance….someone get that dude some food and cuddles, ASAP!
Poochyena
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Another bitey pupper joins the list with Poochyena, a wolf-like canine puppy Pokemon known for its large, sharp fangs and persistent nature. Poochyena here has big, bright eyes, tiny paws, a cute red nose, and fluffy, spiky fur on its back and tail. It tends to bristle this fur to try and intimidate foes….aw, you’re trying so hard to be a big bad dawg, lil’ guy. I’m sure Poochyena and Maschiff would get along perfectly fine and perhaps even be best buddies, too. Who wouldn’t want an adorable, bitey boi dog duo on their Pokemon team? Dark Type Doggos for the win!
Deino
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Adorable Dark dragon-dino? Check! Deino here is perhaps one of the cutest blue friends you could ever wish for. I mean, just look at these two in the image above — while they may not have big beady eyes or facial features to admire, Deino is rather endearing due to the big black fluff that covers its face and neck, making it the cutest emo dinosaur out there.
In addition to the fluff, deino has cute stubby legs, a stocky body, and a tiny tail that most certainly looks like it could wag when it gets excited. Plus, look at their little mouths and cheeks stuffed full of food as they nom away…that certainly adds some bonus cute points!
Purrloin
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Let’s just ignore those long pointy claws for a second. Look at this adorable fluffy cat Pokemon! Purrloin certainly fits the Dark Type vibe with its deep fur color, smug expression, and pointed sections of fluff on its face, ears, and tail. However, this Pokemon is also undeniably adorable…and Purrloin here uses that to its advantage! That’s right, the cute act is no more than a ruse.
Once Trainers let their guard down, Purrloin is well-known for stealing from them, or even worse — attacking, using those pointed cat claws to slash at their foes. However, due to their cute and cuddly appearance, these Pokemon are often forgiven for their chaotic actions…I mean, I guess I can’t blame them. I’d probably be a total sucker for Purrloin, too.
Umbreon
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Look. Umbreon may have intimidating red eyes and a powerful stance, but as one of several Eeveelutions, this ‘Mon has more than earned its rights to the ‘adorable’ category. Somehow, this design manages to balance elegant, mysterious, edgy, and cute all in one, which is quite impressive. The most endearing characteristic of Umbeon is without a doubt the fact that when this Pokemon is under the moonlight or becomes excited, the yellow markings on its body glow. Aww, who needs a nightlight when you’ve got your buddy Umbeon by your side?
Nickit
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
That’s right, there’s another cute fox friend on this list to give Zorua a run for its money! Much like Zorua, Nickit is also quite the mischievous trickster. However, instead of taking an illusionist approach, Nickit here is a cheeky little thief. This adorable fox uses the soft pads of its feet to sneak on by, and steal and horde food from other Pokemon, lastly using swipes of its tail to erase its footsteps as it takes off. Seriously, this ‘Mon is a full-fledged bandit, and honestly? I can’t help but respect the hustle Nickit has.
Pawniard
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Poor Pawniard here so often misses out on opportunities to be recognized as cute, due to those pointy blades it has sticking out all over its body. However, I can’t help but find this little friend to be one of the most charming Dark Type Pokemon of them all. Look at its short body, big, eager eyes, and almost oversized helmet — Pawniard is like an adorable samurai kid.
This guy would make the best buddy for adventure, following you around and training to grow strong together. Plus, despite being small, Pawniard sure looks like it could be fiercely brave and protective, making it a great partner Pokemon.
About the author
Grace Black
Grace is a writer and digital artist from New Zealand with a love for fiction and storytelling. Grace has been writing for Twinfinite for one year and in the games industry for two years. She’s an enthusiast of everything spooky, an occasional anime enjoyer, and a die-hard Ghost-Type Pokemon fangirl. Her favorite video games include Overwatch 2, Life is Strange, The Last of Us, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Pokemon – all of which she will never tire of.
Updated, 01/31/24, 2:00 p.m. ET: After announcing her departure from Twitch, Imane “Pokimane” Anys posted on X/Twitter that her first-ever YouTube broadcast will occur on February 1 at 12 p.m. PT.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga’s Air Combos Make Me Feel Skilled AF
It’s a streamer showdown between some of Twitch and YouTube’s most popular creators, including Ludwig and Pokimane (repping Team Red) and TinaKitten and Ryan Higa (repping Team Purple). The five-on-five brawl will see the streamers playing Codenames, League of Legends, and Valorant, with each winner getting 100 gifted subscriptions.
In addition to announcing the YouTube broadcast, as reported by Dexerto, Pokimane also released a new episode of her podcast in which she went into detail about her reasons for leaving Twitch. In it, she voices many issues with Twitch’s conduct in recent years, saying at one point, “I personally am done with Twitch’s messy behavior in the sense that I’m not done with Twitch, but I’m done with, like, being emotionally invested in the changes that this company is doing.”
“Moving forward, I’m going to try streaming on other platforms,” she said, citing YouTube, Tiktok, and Instagram. “I just want to be able to partake in different platforms and things either as I see fit or as I find excitement in doing it.”
The original story follows below.
One of Twitch’s most popular ladies won’t be streaming exclusively on the platform where she first became a star anymore. Calling it “the end of an era,” Imane “Pokimane” Anys announced her departure from the Amazon-owned site in an X/Twitter post on January 30. Accompanying the tweet was an official promotional image of the Twitch app featuring her face, an indication of just how closely she’s been associated with the site in the past.
Pokimane has been streaming since at least 2012. She officially created her Twitch channel in 2014 and in the decade since, she’s amassed some 9.3 million followers. Her personality is effervescent and she’s known for her great sense of humor. Her tenure on the platform has not been without controversy, of course; in November of 2023 she embarked on a cookie apology tour after calling one viewer who complained about the price of a snack she had launched a “broke boy.” Still, Pokimane has grown to become one of the faces of Twitch. Now, though, she’s saying her goodbyes and departing for greener pastures.
“Twitch has been my home for a decade,” Pokémon said. “But it’s time to say thank you for all the memories and love during my League, Fortnite, & Among Us days.”
The Amazon-owned company hopped into Pokimane’s mentions to congratulate her on the “incredible journey” she’s had these last 10 years, saying everyone’s proud of everything she’s accomplished while looking forward to seeing what she does next in her career. According to a Dexerto report, Pokimane explained that she’s not resigning a contract with Twitch because it’s “messy,” citing her desire to no longer be “emotionally invested in the changes” the company undergoes around things like artistic nudity. Basically, Pokimane just wants to have fun as a content creator, and as a result, she’s opting to take her talents everywhere instead of locking them to Twitch exclusively. You should expect to see her streaming on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube now.
Kotaku has reached out to Pokimane for comment.
We’ve had hints that this was coming for a little over a year now. Back in September 2022, Pokimane said that Twitch wasn’t “creatively fulfilling” any more, specifying that her intention was to stream less and use other platforms more. It seems she’s making good on this intention, as she hasn’t streamed on Twitch in about four days, but has been more active on other social channels.
Catching Pokémoncan be exhausting these days. At time of publication, there are more than 1,000 different species of the fictional monsters. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet don’t contain the full National Pokédex, but the base game has 400 Pokémon and hundreds more when you count additional monsters added in the DLC. Even when trying to complete the reduced Pokédex, the process of collecting creatures can be a slog. Now, playing Palworld, I can breathe a sigh of relief. For the first time in a long time, it feels I can finally “catch ’em all,” with under 150 Pals in the game.
Palworldis a hit game from Japanese indie studio Pocketpair. Before it came out, many described it as “Pokémon with guns.” Now that the developer has released it in early access, it’s clear that the game goes well beyond just Pokémon influences. It has climbing and exploration reminiscent ofThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and mechanics common to survival games. However, one way that it is like Pokémon is its incorporation of creatures called Pals. As you explore its world, you can catch the cartoony monsters and register them to a digital encyclopedia called a Paldeck, similar to the Pokédex.
My Paldeck contains 111 Pals (although there are alternate forms and might be more). Just from a numerical standpoint, that’s way fewer than Pokémon. There’s no need to robotically cycle through hundreds of battles to fill up the Pokédex like in a modern Pokémon game. On top of that, there are no “version exclusives” in Palworld. Every copy of the game contains every Pal, so it’s actually possible to find and catch every single monster without needing another player or setting up trades outside the game.
If you do have friends who are playing, well, that’s helpful to the collecting process, too. While Pokémon does have multiplayer functionality, the online co-op in Palworld better supports playing the entirely of the game with friends from start to finish. Features like guilds allow you to group up with friends and share Pals easily on your settlement. These Pals won’t be registered as “caught” in your Paldeck, but it allows you to see more Pals and get an idea of which Pals you need to catch.
Image: Pocketpair
Catching all the Pokémonobviously isn’t impossible — loads of people do it — and I get why it appeals to certain players. The repetitive nature of catching Pokémonafter Pokémoncan almost be relaxing, but it’s a massive time commitment. You have to fight and catch each and every one of them,and some require unique rituals to evolve them. For others, you might need to trade to get version exclusives and train Pokémonto prepare for challenging fights to catch stronger monsters. In the recent Scarlet and Violet DLC, you even have to grind in-game points to unlock the appearances of certain Pokémon in the wild.
Don’t get me wrong — Palworld still contains its fair share of monster-catching grind. Depending on how common each creature is, you might catch up to 10 copies of each just to grind out the needed experience points to unlock items. You likely won’t just speed through collecting the Paldeck in a sitting or two. Barriers to exploration like your level or what kinds of Pal spheres you use will guide your overall journey. But so far, I have enjoyed the slow, meandering process of gradually exploring and discovering the Pals one by one to fill up my Paldeck in its entirety. At this rate, I might just catch ’em all.
Pokémon Concierge, the stop-motion animated series that launched on Netflix in December, is a total vibe. After spending time watching a lovely series about a Pokémon resort, I almost don’t want to go back to battling and training. I just want to hang out with all these little guys and take a neverending vacation. Unfortunately, that’s not the core of most Pokémon games, but it is nice to picture what a Pokémon Concierge video game could look like. Thankfully, we don’t have to imagine it, as some artists have already created a mock-up of it for the original Game Boy, though it’s unfortunately not a playable game. – Kenneth Shepard Read More
First introduced in 2022’s Modern Warfare II, Call of Duty currently features a nonlinear battle pass themed like a geographic map. While this allows players to choose what they want to unlock from the pass instead of going through a scripted path, it can be a little confusing to newcomers used to more traditional, linear sets of unlockables. What’s more, the “token” system that CoD uses to unlock stuff from the battle pass can be a little confusing as well, especially if you’re not sure whether you should just let the pass automatically unlock itself by spending tokens for you. – Claire Jackson Read More
Over the weekend, I downloaded Palworldon my PC. I was excited. After all the weird trailers and screenshots showing Pokémon-like creatures using assault rifles or being shot with handguns, I was ready to earn official Xbox achievements as I killed Pokémon facsimiles using modern guns. It was hunting time. And then, after playing for over six hours, I realized that I had been tricked into playing another goddamn survival crafting game that wanted me to punch trees and mine stone for a few hours before it got fun. – Zack Zwiezen Read More
Normal Type Pokemon are often overlooked in favor of other Typings, as they tend to have much more muted color palettes in terms of design, and also don’t always match up to others when it comes to battle potential.
However, one thing can certainly be said for Normal Types, and that is their sheer cuteness. We’ve rounded up 10 of the most adorable, fluffy, cuddly, and cute ‘Mons for you all to admire, to prove that these critters are much more lovable than ordinary.
Eevee
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
C’mon, Eevee is a Pokemon classic, earning a spot as one of the top fan-favorite ‘Mons of all time. As if this Pokemon wasn’t already adorable enough from the moment it was first revealed, but in recent depictions of the Pokemon anime and Pokemon Let’s Go: Eevee, this fluffy little friend has even proven itself to be capable of having hair, and wearing it in various styles.
Naturally, this adds to the cuteness factor without a doubt, making this cat-dog-fox creature even more endearing. Need I say more? There’s no way you could turn down a little Eeeve. Not with those eyes.
Skitty
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
This may just be the cutest pink kitty anyone’s ever seen. I mean, how could you not love Skitty? From the tiny body, the stubby little limbs, the squinty cat eyes, and the little mouth with fangs — this Pokemon is all about cuteness! Oh, and as if those details weren’t enough on their own, Skitty tends to chase its tail and make itself dizzy, in true kitten fashion.
From beloved companion to household Pokemon pet, I don’t think you could ever go wrong with having Skitty by your side — just remember to give it plenty of cuddles!
Teddiursa
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Adorable little bear cub? Check. This baby Pokemon is one many fans wish they could just pick up and snuggle like a teddy bear, because…well, it’s just so darn cute! Look at those little eyes and happy little face — this fuzzball is absolutely heartwarming in terms of appearance!
From the stumpy little body to the teeny tiny bear claws, Teddiursa is easily the most adorable bear Pokemon in the franchise (well, at least to me. Again, you’ll have to fight me over this opinion), and that crescent moon on the forehead just adds so much charm to the design. Imagine stargazing with this little buddy on a warm night during your adventures. That’s right, I bet you’re on team Teddiursa now too, right?
Furret
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
There’s one thing I’ve always said about Furret, and that is the fact that I’d love to have one as my little buddy, wrapping itself around my neck and chilling on my shoulder like a fuzzy scarf. Warm and toasty plus accompanied by an adorable buddy? Sign me up. Seriously though, Furret is a Pokemon that is often overlooked when it comes to cuteness, so I’m bringing this long boi the attention he so very much deserves.
Tell me you don’t wanna hold him up above the ground and watch that slinky little pal do a biiig stretch. Plus, those nubby little paws? All the better for nomming on snacks. Furret is about as adorable as Normal Types get, and no, you can’t change my mind. Fight me.
Cinccino
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Cinccino is not only super cute, but this Pokemon is obsessed with keeping its fur clean too, really upholding some solid beauty standards. I mean, just look at art that shine! This little chinchilla-like creature looks like a perfect friend for Trainers of every age and has so many adorable features that make it stand out as one of the cutest Normal Type Pokemon in existence.
Cinccino has some big ol’ fluffy ears, cute paws, a round lovable face, and best of all, that silky smooth clean white fur that just glistens wherever it goes. Is that enough to make you go Aww at how adorable this fluffy little thing is? I certainly think so!
Spinda
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Spinda is another Normal Type Pokemon that is often forgotten, not just in terms of cuteness, but altogether. As a single-stage Pokemon without any evolutions or being featured in any of the recent Pokemon games, it’s understandable why. However, Spinda remains one of the most adorable bunnies, and dare I say the cuter choice over Buneary.
Spinda has an adorable, dizzy little way of walking, in which they can be found stumbling all over the place. Their mouths and swirly eyes further indicate their dizziness, which adds to their appeal and adorable demeanor. Lastly, Spinda are super unique, because there are thousands of different patterns, meaning each one’s spots will differ from others. Interestingly enough, this was even true in the Pokemon games in which it featured, which made stumbling across Spinda in the wild so much fun.
Zigzagoon
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Look, I get it — this little guy often wouldn’t be the first ‘Mon that pops into your head when you think about the cutest Normal Types out there. However, there’s so much to love about Zigzagoon, which is why it’s disappointing that it’s so often overlooked in favor of a more cute and fuzzy species.
This spiky dude is like a raccoon-dog hybrid, but with the wandering curiosity of a cat. Is that not the most adorable combination in the world? What makes this Pokemon so endearing, other than its adorable beady eyes, small feet, and long spiky ears, is the fact that when it runs, it always does so in a zigzag fashion, hence the name.
Stufful
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Look, even if Stufful does happen to be surprisingly scary despite its appearance, there’s no denying that this Pokemon is anything other than cute on the surface. Stufful here looks like a living breathing red panda plushie, super snuggly and soft (shhh, we can pretend this is the case).
Not only does Stufful have that innocent plush toy appearance with stubby legs and beady little eyes, but it also comes in a soft pink color palette, which adds to the cute and cuddly vibe it has going on. And lastly, there’s that big smiley mouth, beaming with a happy look at the best of times.
Wooloo
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
C’mon now, you can’t tell me Wooloo isn’t one of the cutest things you’ve ever seen. This tiny sheep just looks like a big fluffy cloud, with Pikachu proving this point by catching some cozy sleep on the back of this Normal Type ‘Mon. Looking at how fluffy the wool of this creature is, it’s hard not to want to reach out and pet this critter by giving it a big ‘ol cuddle.
Wooloo is also relatively simple in design, which not only points to its Typing, but also adds to the appeal, as this causes its big eyes, tiny pink nose, and mini horns to stand out even more so. I bet Wooloo would make just the cutest little farm friend, too — sitting there nomming away on grass all day like the best sheep ever.
Lillipup
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
D’awww… look at this little pupper — even when he’s grumpy, he’s so heckin’ cute! Lillipup here is one of several dog Pokemon within the franchise, yet it still manages to stand out as one of the cutest among them all.
The short stubby legs and oversized ears really help to sell the whole puppy look, and those big eyes are full of such expression it would be hard not to befriend he little guy and tell him what a good boi he is. Plus, while Lillipup has an overall simple design, there’s something about that mega face fluff that is just begging for all of the head pats and chin scratches.
About the author
Grace Black
Grace is a writer and digital artist from New Zealand with a love for fiction and storytelling. Grace has been writing for Twinfinite for one year and in the games industry for two years. She’s an enthusiast of everything spooky, an occasional anime enjoyer, and a die-hard Ghost-Type Pokemon fangirl. Her favorite video games include Overwatch 2, Life is Strange, The Last of Us, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Pokemon – all of which she will never tire of.
The announcement that Nintendo Switch Online’s Game Boy Advance range is to receive RPGs Golden Sun and Golden Sun: The Lost Age is incredibly welcome news. But there are still some absolutely colossal gaps, some all-time great GBA games that we’d love to play on our Switches. Nintendo! Hear our pleas!
The intersection of gaming and sports is typically relegated to digital facsimiles, such as your Maddens, your NBA 2Ks, or your ESPN NFL Footballs (haha nah, not that last one). Occasionally, video games invade the real thing, and right now, the fate of the Winnipeg Jets rests on the unlikely shoulders of a Pokemon.
The Squirtle Saxophone animation began its humble journey on TikTok in late November 2023, courtesy of the user merme.lada. It depicts the beloved Water-Type turtle jamming on a saxophone to the tune of SunStroke Project’s Run Away. You may better remember this song as the genesis behind 2010’s Epic Sax Guy meme, and if you don’t, you’re probably too young to be reading this article. Maybe go play some Roblox or something, instead.
The animation made a surprise cameo a few weeks later at an NHL match hosted by the Winnpieg Jets, when the graphic appeared on the Jumbotron in an effort to encourage the crowd to make some noise.
The conclusion was a victory for Winnipeg, and a delighted fanbase lauding the jazzy Pokemon as the MVP. In the time since, the Jets have continued displaying the graphic during their home games, going 9-1-1 during that stretch and surging from playoff contenders to one of the league’s best teams.
As a result, Squirtle has become a de facto mascot for Winnipeg fans, adorning the Jets Reddit page and spawning no shortage of tributes ranging from reverent to downright antagonistic.
Billy, this is Squirtle. He’s a Pokémon. He’s one of the most undervalued components at a Jets game. His quirk is that he plays a saxophone. pic.twitter.com/bHRCTgal7Y
Slyšeli jsme, že na X náš Squirtle docela frčí.. 👀
Tenhle týpek se k nám připletl už v O2 Aréně na zápase proti Finsku. Znovu se objevil v Göteborgu, kde ho před zápasem odpálil @Kulda151, což nám dost možná odneslo štěstíčko.. 🍀 pic.twitter.com/Mvh3FwAyiI
Though the Jets aren’t even the originators of the idea — the earliest example I could find of Squirtle appearing during a sporting event was a December 16th NBA game, where perhaps not coincidentally the hometown San Antonio Spurs would snap an 18 game losing streak — it is clear that the Pokemon has found its home in Winnipeg.
Should they carve a path toward their first Stanley Cup victory, this plucky terrapin will undoubtedly become forevermore entrenched in Jets history. Now if only I could convince my Canucks to adopt Bulbasaur and leverage a strategic type advantage…
About the author
Tony Cocking
A miserable little pile of secrets. Unabashed Nintendo stan, Resident Evil fancier and obscure anime enthusiast who insists everything is funnier when the rule of three is applied. Oh, and once I saw a blimp!
In a new press release from audio electronics company Altec Lansing, it was revealed that GameShark is returning, sort of via an artificial intelligence-powered successor called “AI Shark” You don’t care about that. Instead, the big news out of this press release is that it might have leaked the release date for the Nintendo Switch 2. – Zack Zwiezen Read More
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