Pokémon celebrates 30 years with anniversary releases and competitive rule changes

The Pokémon franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary, marking three decades since the release of Pokémon Red and Green in Japan. The milestone highlights the brand's ability to retain original fans who have transitioned into adulthood with increased purchasing power, while simultaneously attracting new generations through continuous updates to characters, regions, and media.

To commemorate the anniversary, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) will release the ‘Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration’ expansion on September 16, featuring a simultaneous global launch. Additionally, the project ‘Pokémon All Stars 1025’ was introduced, a 22-minute musical piece incorporating the names of all 1,025 Pokémon.

In terms of competitive play, The Pokémon Company has announced significant regulatory changes for Play! Pokémon effective in the third quarter of 2026. A major shift includes the introduction of Pokémon Champions, which allows for official tournament participation via compatible mobile devices (Android and Apple) rather than requiring a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2. Consequently, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet have been officially retired from the competitive format.