It’s the final episode of the year, and Pokémon news decided to show up all at once.
Jim & Christian break down a wave of Pokémon rumors and leaks, from a potential Pokémon pinball machine to a massive list of upcoming LEGO sets. With the franchise’s 30th anniversary on the horizon, the two dig into what might be coming next and what feels inevitable.
They also discuss McDonald’s Pokémon card promotions, Gen 10 leaks and battle gimmicks, Pokémon Go bugs wiping out shiny Pokémon, and the growing chaos around Pokémon card collecting and so called “investments.” Plus, a Pokémon fact of the week that pays off decades of lore in one extremely angry evolution.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★It’s another packed episode of That Pokémon Podcast, and somehow it still all comes back to Charizard.
This week, Jim, Christian, and Megan break down everything from Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Crimson Blaze to a jaw-dropping $550,000 sale of a first-edition Charizard at auction. The crew digs into why PSA grading continues to dominate the high-end collector market, what CGC’s price gap really means, and why Charizard will never stop being the main character.
They also run through the full list of newly revealed Mega Evolutions in Mega Dimension, including Mega Absol Z, Mega Garchomp Z, Mega Heatran, Mega Golisopod, Mega Scovillain, and the extremely unhinged debut of Mega Starmie in the anime. Along the way, there’s discussion of Pokémon Christmas pop-ups in Japan, Pokémon GO’s New Year event, and what it would actually take to make anyone excited about GO again.
Plus, a new official Pokémon ecology book is on the way, complete with some deeply unsettling facts, and Christian delivers a Psyduck-focused Pokémon Fact of the Week that almost changed Pokémon history forever.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★This week on That Pokémon Podcast, Jim and Christian dive into one of the weirdest hobby stories of the year: the Kabuto King, a collector who bought nearly every Kabuto card from the Fossil era and accidentally created a $20 micro-economy… before auctioning a custom card for $51,000 and somehow Logan Paul was involved. We talk market manipulation, charity, and why this absolutely should not inspire you to buy 1,800 Omanytes.
Then we jump into the news, including the reveal of Perfect Order, the next Pokémon TCG set featuring Mega Zygarde, Mega Gallade, and maybe Mega Greninja. We also break down Pokémon GO’s new remote trading system, the return of GO Fest to Chicago in 2026, and which friendships you need at level five to make it all work.
The boys also react in real time to the drop of the Alpha Charizard mystery gift and try to make sense of its massive size. Plus: Meowth’s inconsistent anatomy becomes the Pokémon Fact of the Week nobody was prepared for.
As always, join the Discord, send us your gameplay pics and help us settle the new community poll: Meowth, better on two legs or four?
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★This week on That Pokémon Podcast, Jim, Christian, and Megan dive headfirst into one of the wildest news weeks we’ve had in a long time. We kick things off by confronting the chaos that is Mega Lucario Z. Everything from the design, the colors, the… anatomy and whether the internet has completely lost its mind. From there, we jump into the new ZA mechanics, the reveal of Mega Mewtwo in Pokémon Legends ZA, and the absolutely gorgeous lineup of cards coming in Ascended Heroes.
We talk the Psyduck card that’s going to bankrupt Jim, the Charizard card that refuses to stop existing, and the secret rare that somehow isn’t Marnie this time.
Then things get even weirder: Pokémon boba tea collabs and a Diglett lore bomb we still don’t know how to process. And finally… yes… a man walked into GameStop and walked out with $30,000 for a single Pokémon card. We break down how the hell that happened.
It’s a chaotic one, it’s a fun one, and if you’ve ever stared at a Mega design and thought strange things, well… welcome home.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★It’s a holiday-week edition of That Pokémon Podcast which means the chaos is dialed up even before the news starts. Jim, Christian, and Megan break down the latest trademark hinting at a 30th anniversary Pokémon TCG Celebration set, revisit Post Malone’s surreal Pokémon performance, and pitch who should do the next big crossover track. The crew talks about a competitive TCG disqualification stirring debate online, Phantasmal Flame’s price collapse, legendary donuts teasing the next Pokémon Legends update, and the very strange story of GameStop banning pack weighers. Plus: Pokémon vending machines, Kyogre vs Groudon nostalgia, a wild Niantic scandal, and a Venomoth fact you won’t believe. Perfect background noise for travel week or avoiding family conversations.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★Mega Zeraora news dropped, Pokopia might be a ruined Kanto, plush makers are out here selling life-size Lucarios, and the new TCG set has Charizard cards hitting $800 before the ink is even dry. Jim, Megan, and Christian dig into all the news, all the weird variants, all the game speculation, and another extremely cursed Pokemon fact of the week. If you’ve ever wanted to hear three adults debate whether a tail can grow out of shoulder blades, this is your episode.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★Jim, Megan, and Christian are back, and it’s one of those episodes that hits every corner of the Pokémon universe. From Megan’s heroic quest to secure a sleeping Vaporeon plush to Pokémon cards now showing up at Lowe’s (yes, really), this week’s conversation spirals into cozy chaos.
The crew dives deep into PokéPark Kanto, Pokémon’s newest real-world attraction, breaks down the wild new mechanics in Mega Dimensions DLC, and collectively groans over Nintendo Game Keys. Plus: an Oddish fact that’ll make you rethink everything you thought you knew about screaming roots.
This week on That Pokémon Podcast, Jim, Christian, and Megan dig into the messy brilliance of Pokémon Legends: ZA. From the game’s frustrating sneaking system to the brutal wild zones ruled by angry Alpha Pokemon, the crew debates what worked, what didn’t, and why again the price might’ve been too much.
Then, they dive into the weird world of patents, where Nintendo’s “Palworld response” is under review, and Walmart finally cracks down on card scalpers (kind of). Plus, some juicy lore about where Mega Evolution really came from, and the staggering money making success of Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Finally, Christian closes things out with a wild Pokémon Fact of the Week about Golbat’s missing tongue, Zubat’s questionable feet, and the mystery anatomy of one of Pokémon’s weirdest lines.
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Thanks to our monthly supporters
Jim Viscardi and Christian Hoffer dive headfirst into the discourse surrounding Pokémon Legends ZA, defending its art style, dissecting its world design, and breaking down why it’s the best-looking Pokémon game yet. The two debate the $70 price tag, highlight how the game’s story and characters outshine its supposed “graphics problem,” and compare ZA’s sales performance to Scarlet/Violet and Arceus. Plus: Pokémon TCG Pocket hits 150 million downloads, a new short explores adult life after Pokémon training, and a cautionary tale about trading away the wrong Spewpa. The episode closes with a wild Jigglypuff fact that’ll make you rethink every lullaby battle you’ve ever fought.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Thanks to our monthly supporters
This week, Jim, Megan, and Christian dive headfirst into Pokémon Legends: ZA, breaking down everything from its wild NPC dialogue to its surprisingly adult tone and darker storytelling. The crew debates whether the $70 price tag is justified, compares the world-building to Arceus and Scarlet/Violet, and confesses which Pokémon have been jump-scaring them in Lumiose City. Plus: Mega Starmie horrors, pooping Pikachu lore, and how Let’s Go walked so ZA could run.
Also featuring a brand-new Pokémon Fact of the Week about Vulpix and the Nine Wizards of Ninetales,.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★The Pokémon world just exploded and we’re here for every chaotic detail. Jim Viscardi and Christian Hoffer dig into the massive Pokémon Legends: ZA leaks (without spoiling the story), breaking down the new Mega Evolutions, rumored Gen 10 games, and the wild idea of a full-on Pokémon MMO. Plus, we unpack the latest updates to Pokémon TCG Pocket, check out Christmas merch at the Pokémon Center, and end with one question: what if Clefairy are actually an invasive alien species? You’re welcome.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★It’s one of those weeks where the Pokémon world feels like a fever dream. GameStop points the finger at The Pokémon Company over the shiny code fiasco, the new TCG Pocket set has collectors in open revolt, and OpenAI’s “Sora 2” has fans literally animating Pokémon movies out of thin air. If thats not enough, how about some chat about Pokémon graves and cemeteries?! Jim, Megan, and Christian break down every bizarre headline, from AI Pikachu apocalypse to Legends: ZA’s in-game cemetery, and wrap it all up with a wild Nidoran fact that ties Pokémon to One Piece.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★This week on That Pokémon Podcast, Jim, Megan, and Christian dive deep into the latest Pokémon TCG chaos. From a bizarrely short-lived TCG Pocket Deluxe Packs EX set to the jaw-dropping $11,000 pull rates for Mega Gardevoir and Mega Lucario, we break down the craziness in the TCG space. Plus, the scalper-fueled mess of shiny giveaways, and a surprisingly intense debate over why a possum Pokémon still doesn’t exist. Along the way, Megan shares her new Corgi-turned-Yamper, Jim obsesses over Cubone sweaters, and Christian blows our minds with a Sandshrew curling fact that sparks dreams of a full Pokémon Olympics. Oh, and yes, you can now catch fainted Pokémon. Buckle up.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★This week on That Pokémon Podcast, Jim, Christian, and Megan dive headfirst into another chaotic stretch of Pokémon news. We break down The Pokémon Company’s latest museum partnership with the British Natural History Museum (and the scalper nightmares it might unleash), react to the Department of Homeland Security’s bizarre Pokémon-themed promo, and get into the legality (and absurdity) of Palworld’s newest farming sim trailer. Plus, we cover the massive LEGO leaks, Pokémon Unite updates, Pokémon Go Tour LA & Taiwan details, and wrap things up with a wild Pikachu design fact you probably had no idea about.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★This week on That Pokémon Podcast, Jim and Christian dive into a jam-packed week of Pokémon news straight out of the latest Nintendo Direct. We break down the shocking announcement of Pokémon Legends ZA launching with DLC, including the debut of not one but TWO Mega Raichu forms, Mega Malamar, and new Mega starters. We also react to the reveal of Pokepia, a cozy Animal Crossing-style spin-off where you play as a human Ditto. Plus, we cover a record-breaking $4 million sale of the Illustrator Pikachu card, Demon Slayer’s box office domination over Pokémon’s long-standing record, and of course, we wrap things up with our Pokémon Fact of the Week—this time all about Ekans, Arbok, and the greatest snake Pokémon of all time.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★This week on That Pokémon Podcast, Jim, Christian, and Megan dive into the hypnotic chaos of Mega Malamar’s viral takeover, break down the details of the upcoming Phantasmal Flames TCG set (and what a smaller set really means for collectors), and preview the new Mega Venusaur and Kangaskhan cards. Plus, we weigh in on the new Pokemon immersive event, laugh at the Pokémon Center’s latest trainer plushes (including Leon, a.k.a. the true villain), and wrap things up with a very weird Spearow & Fearow fact of the week.
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★Jim and Christian are back with a jam-packed episode of That Pokémon Podcast! From the latest unofficial reveals of the upcoming Pokémon LEGO sets (including a massive build) to Mega Evolutions crashing into Pokémon Unite, we cover all the latest news shaking up the Pokémon world. Plus! Hatsune Miku’s Pokémon concert, the debut of Mega Hawlucha in a wrestling-style reveal with CMLL, and a deep dive into this week’s Pokémon Fact of the Week: Rattata and its mob-boss cousin, Alolan Raticate. It’s nostalgia, chaos, and plenty of laughs so catch it all right here!
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★Mega Victreebel is here and it’s one of the wildest Mega Evolutions yet. In this episode of That Pokémon Podcast, Jim and Christian react to the creepy horror-style reveal trailer, debate if Pokémon should finally make a true horror game, and break down the hidden cameo of the Kalos ghost girl from Pokémon X & Y. We also cover all the big Pokémon news this week: the brand-new Pokémon TCG Pocket Secluded Springs set featuring Suicune, Entei, and Raikou, the return of Halloween Trick-or-Trade booster packs (with exclusive cards.....maybeeeee?), fallout from Japan’s McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meal promo, and the huge Pokémon GO level cap increase to 80. Plus, Pokémon Concierge gets a new crossover event (hello, pool float Psyduck), and Christian drops a Pokémon fact of the week that proves Pidgey isn’t the harmless little bird you thought it was.
Whether you’re into the Pokémon video games, Pokémon cards, Pokémon GO, or just want some shiny luck, this episode has you covered.
DISCORD: https://discord.gg/a3BxzYd3QR
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★This week on That Pokémon Podcast, Jim Viscardi, Megan Peters, and Christian Hoffer break down all the wild announcements coming out of Pokémon Worlds 2025. To maybe only a few people's surprise, we got a new Charizard card (already destined to break wallets)! We dive into Pokémon Legends ZA’s four-player battle mode, Pokémon Champions' new role as the go-to competitive platform, and the upcoming Pokémon XP fan event in San Francisco. Plus, giant Build-A-Bear Workshop Gengar plushes, Pokemon Unite roster updates, Scarlet & Violet raids, and the absolutely bonkers story of someone embezzling $140,000 for Pokémon cards. It’s a stacked episode, and yes, Charizard really might be the new global currency.
DISCORD: https://discord.gg/a3BxzYd3QR
This week on That Pokémon Podcast, Jim, Christian, and Megan dive into the wild world of Pokémon news you didn’t know you needed. From McDonald’s Japan pulling a Happy Meal promo after scalpers trashed the food for the cards, to Mega Gengar’s game-changing TCG ability, to a Milwaukee Brewers rookie pulling a base set Charizard on camera, it’s a mix of chaos and nostalgia. We rank the newest Pokémon Squishmallows, theres another Pokémon Center tangent, and debate the merits of a freshly released Pokémon sea shanty (spoiler: Megan wants more Sharpedo).
Plus, Palworld parodies, a Pokémon fact of the week, and a listener question on how we each first got into Pokémon.
Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/a3BxzYd3QR