2024 Pokémon TCG Cards Unveiled by McDonald’s

The excitement is bubbling up again as Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) cards make a comeback at McDonald’s, rekindling the magic for fans eager to collect them. This time around, there’s a particularly fascinating assortment of Pokémon to look out for, especially if you’re a fan of Dragon-types, as they seem to be making a prominent appearance in the latest promotional offerings.

McDonald’s and Pokémon have forged a strong bond over the years, becoming a staple in the world of fast food and gaming collaborations. Besides the cards, they have previously thrilled fans with Pokémon-themed toys and the ever-popular Pikachu Happy Meal boxes. Remember the days when players could snag exclusive Pokémon by simply popping into a McDonald’s with their Nintendo handhelds and connecting to Wi-Fi? While those perks have phased out, the anticipation every time these iconic promos roll out remains sky-high.

Currently, the buzz is all about the Pokémon TCG hitting McDonald’s branches in France from December 4 through January 21. Patrons will have the chance to snag booster packs with four cards each from a set of 15, featuring one holographic card per pack. These holos boast the exclusive McDonald’s confetti holofoil, adding an extra layer of allure. The lineup includes some fan favorites:

– Charizard
– Dragapult
– Dragonite
– Drampa
– Eevee
– Hatenna
– Hydreigon
– Jigglypuff
– Koraidon
– Miraidon
– Pikachu
– Quagsire
– Rayquaza
– Roaring Moon
– Umbreon

Historically, these exciting promos don’t unroll worldwide at the same moment, and this time is no exception. The U.S. might not see these cards yet because McDonald’s has had its hands full with other big promotions, like the resurgence of the McRib. With options like this and customers practically ready to queue up for McRib BBQ sauce by the half-gallon, the addition of the Pokémon frenzy could turn chaotic. Therefore, the TCG cards might debut towards the year’s end or early in 2025 stateside.

Interestingly, this launch deviates from the usual practice where new cards typically hit the U.S. first before traveling to France. Initially, it was forecasted that they would arrive in the U.S. by October, but that timeline was overshadowed by the debut of another tempting offer: the Chicken Big Mac. To avoid overwhelming demand, McDonald’s probably held off doubling up on fan-favorite offers, thus keeping Pokémon fans waiting a little longer.

Delving into the Pokémon TCG itself, it is a collectible and strategic card game based on Nintendo’s beloved franchise. Players go head-to-head, battling Pokémon in turn-based gameplay, aiming to knock out the opponent’s Pokémon to win prize cards. The cards aren’t just game tools; they have grown into collector’s items, with some fetching jaw-dropping prices in the market since their original debut on October 20, 1996.