Listen closely, and you might still be able to hear it—a rousing 8-bit chiptune chirping out the first call to adventure for a generation, a challenge to catch them all and be the very best, like no one ever was. That’s right—2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Pokémon, which debuted on Nintendo’s original Game Boy handheld back in 1996 with the Japanese launch of Pocket Monsters Red and Green.
While the series wouldn’t make its global debut for another two years as Pokémon Red and Blue—an updated version of Green—it was already on its way to becoming the most successful media product in history. With Pokémon now bigger than Mickey Mouse and Star Wars—combined—it’s little surprise that when the Pokémon Company announced a range of exclusive merchandise to mark the anniversary—for Japan only at the time—it immediately sold out. Things were so bad at one point that there were multi-hour waits to load the official website.
Thankfully, the 30th celebrations are no longer restricted to Pokémon’s homeland, nor to Nintendo and the Pokémon Company’s offerings. As the year has progressed, we’ve seen more collaborations and crossovers with other brands announced, allowing fans to show their love for all things Pocket Monsters with everything from sneakers to high-end gaming chairs. Most of that stuff has sold out straight away, too, so here’s the WIRED roundup of some of the best Pokémerch currently available—and a few coming soon. Brace your wallets.
Pokémon x Pokémon
Courtesy of Pokemon
If you’re not sure what all this fuss is about, why not go back to the beginning and find out for yourself? Well, close to the beginning at least—Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen were enhanced remakes of the very first games, originally released on the Game Boy Advance back in 2004. These digital rereleases bring those versions to the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, with a couple of modern upgrades, like upcoming compatibility with the Pokémon Home app, which will allow players to trade Pokémon caught here to newer games in the series.
It’s disappointing that the gorgeous physical collector’s anniversary edition was restricted to the Japanese market, but at $20 each for these downloadable games, at least you don’t have to break the bank. Switch and Switch 2 owners wanting another take on the original Pokémon adventure might also want to check out 2018’s Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! ($60 each), which offer a more modern experience.
Pokémon Center x Pokémon
Courtesy of Pokemon
No, this isn’t a cheat entry. The official Pokémon Center site has a frankly daunting collection of 30th-anniversary goods on offer, but, well, it keeps selling out. While it’s worth keeping a regular eye on the site for restocks, a few highlights that are available at time of writing include the paired Pikachu plush ($35), two adorable Pikas holding hands and decked out in Kanto-themed gear (the setting of the original games), an adult crop sweatshirt ($40) depicting the first Pokémon battle any player ever saw, Red and Blue’s Gengar versus Nidorino opening cinematic, and—arguably one of the strangest offerings—a custom Bear Walker maple-wood skateboard ($300), themed on the original mythical Pokémon Mew.
Puma x Pokémon
Courtesy of Pokemon
Available now, Puma’s collaboration with Pokémon veers more toward apparel than purely kicks, with a range tailored for kids and big kids alike. Currently available standouts include the men’s oversized jersey ($80), which currently comes in a black-and-yellow style mimicking Dark-type Eeveelution Umbreon or a “Pearl Pink” Psychic-type Espeon, each emblazoned with their Pokédex entry number. Don’t forget the relaxed graphic hoodie (also $80) in Pikachu yellow, with a clean, minimalist front and the electric mouse silhouetted on the back. Puma does have sneakerheads covered, though, with its adult-sized Mostros ($130) and Pikachu-themed Fades for older kids ($100).
Secretlab x Pokémon
Courtesy of Pokemon
If you’ve just spent a fortune on Pokémon merch, you might want to sit down when you see your next credit card bill. Enter gaming furniture specialist Secretlabs with its own crossover, a trio of chairs decked out in fresh designs based on Gen-1 staples Pikachu, Gengar, and Eevee. All three are based on Secretlabs’ flagship Titan Evo model (7/10, WIRED Recommends), which offers robust back support, a memory foam headrest, and a large padded seat base.
