The Pokémon Trading Card Game is making a comeback to McDonald’s Happy Meals in the near future. While a specific start date for other regions remains unconfirmed, the promotion is set to launch in France on December 4th and run until January 21st. Similar to past promotions, each Happy Meal will include a four-card booster pack. This time, the promotion spotlights Dragon-type Pokémon, featuring a total of 15 cards:
- Charizard
- Drampa
- Dragapult
- Dragonite
- Eevee
- Hatenna
- Hydreigon
- Jigglypuff
- Koraidon
- Miraidon
- Pikachu
- Quagsire
- Umbreon
- Rayquaza
- Roaring Moon
These cards aren’t entirely new designs but reprints from earlier Pokémon TCG expansions. However, they will have unique numbering and the signature “confetti” holofoil pattern seen in previous McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meal promotions. While the variations are subtle, they offer a unique touch for collectors.
A 2022 Pokémon Happy Meal Promotion.
Given the “Year of the Dragon” theme, it’s speculated the promotion will reach other regions like the U.S. in December. Currently, a Pet Simulator promotion is running in North America. Furthermore, a Sonic the Hedgehog Happy Meal promotion is anticipated alongside the new movie release next month. This could potentially delay the Pokémon promotion until January, even though it would be after the “Year of the Dragon” concludes. It’s also worth noting that McDonald’s has varied promotion themes between regions before.
The upcoming promotion isn’t entirely unexpected, as rumors circulated back in August. Hopefully, this time around, the cards will be readily available for all fans. The 2021 McDonald’s Pokémon TCG promotion faced challenges with resellers bulk-buying cards for resale. Subsequent promotions implemented safeguards to mitigate this issue, leading to smoother experiences.
In conclusion, the return of Pokémon TCG cards to McDonald’s Happy Meals brings excitement for collectors and fans. The Dragon-themed promotion offers a unique collecting opportunity, despite featuring reprints. While the exact release date for regions outside France is yet to be announced, fans can anticipate the promotion in the coming months. Hopefully, McDonald’s will continue its efforts to ensure fair access to the cards for everyone.
