Exciting news for Pokémon TCG fans! The Pokémon Company International announced a nostalgic return to classic TCG mechanics during the 2024 World Championships. Beloved features from the game's early days are slated for a comeback in 2025.
Trainer's Pokémon and Team Rocket Cards: A 2025 Revival
Official Release Date Still Pending
The highly anticipated return of "Trainer's Pokémon" cards was confirmed, alongside a teaser showcasing trainers like Marnie, Lillie, and N, and hinting at a possible Team Rocket resurgence. This announcement generated considerable excitement among players.
Original Trainer's Pokémon cards were a defining feature of the early Pokémon TCG. These cards depicted Pokémon owned by specific trainers, boasting unique abilities and distinctive artwork. The teaser revealed examples such as Lillie’s Clefairy ex, Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex, N’s Zoroark ex, and N’s Reshiram.
The teaser also included a brief glimpse of Mewtwo alongside the iconic Team Rocket symbol, fueling speculation about a new Team Rocket-themed set or even the return of Dark Pokémon—another popular early mechanic often associated with Team Rocket and featuring darker, more powerful versions of familiar Pokémon. Prior reports, including a Japanese retailer listing and a trademark filing ("The Glory of Team Rocket") by The Pokémon Company, further support these rumors.Paradise Dragona Set Debuts at World Championships
Beyond the nostalgic announcements, the Pokémon World Championships also offered a sneak peek at the upcoming Paradise Dragona set. According to PokeBeach, previewed cards included Latias, Latios, Exeggcute, and Alolan Exeggutor ex. This Japanese subset, focusing on Dragon-type Pokémon, is expected to release in English as part of the Surging Sparks set in November 2024.
The Pokémon TCG continues its exciting updates, with the Kitikami chapter concluding this month with the release of the Shrouded Fable expansion, boasting 99 cards (64 main cards and 35 secret rare cards), according to the official blog. While we eagerly await further details on the 2025 releases, the future of the Pokémon TCG is looking incredibly promising.
