WHAT'S POP'N V22

Issue 21 - What's Pop'n

Issue 22



What’s Pop’n V22



Welcome to What’s Pop’n V22! This issue is packed with excitement, and we’re diving right in. With Heritage Day on 24 September just around the corner, it’s the perfect moment to celebrate the people, stories, and traditions that bring us together — and what better way than with fresh news, fun launches, and a whole lot of creative energy?


The biggest buzz right now? Dr Squish has officially landed in South Africa! From the DIY Squishy Maker, where kids can create their very own glittery, goo-filled masterpieces, to the brand-new Putty Buddies range, the Dr Squish line is bursting with creative, sensory fun. Whether it’s making squishies at home or collecting and playing with the quirky new putties, this brand is all about hands-on excitement that parents and kids can share together. Expect to see plenty of sparkle, stretch, and smiles as these products roll out across shelves.



Our friends at SATAGA have released their very first newsletter, and it’s one you don’t want to miss. Packed with industry insights and updates shaping the future of the South African toy and game landscape, the fight against counterfeit goods is real and gaining momentum 👉 Read the SATAGA Newsletter here.



And before we jump inside — don’t forget you can 🔥 sign up for a free digital subscription to Nat One Magazine. It’s the perfect way to stay plugged into local tabletop news, stories, and inspiration — straight to your inbox.



HARMONIES ON THE TABLE 🎶🌿🔥


This month’s track brings folk rock warmth to the gaming table. Harmonies on the Table blends steady acoustic strums, rolling percussion, and layered vocals that rise and fall like voices around a fire. It’s grounded, heartfelt, and just a little wild — a song that feels alive in every beat.


Just like Harmonies, the board game, it’s about connection. Each riff is a tile, each chorus a new creature or tree taking root. Piece by piece, the music grows into a living soundscape — raw, textured, and beautiful in its balance.


🎧 Gather your friends, lay down the tiles, and let the harmonies carry you.




🏛️ More musical marvels on the way — stay tuned!


Pre-Orders Expiring

Catch pre-orders closing next week and take advantage of any pre-order incentives that may be on offer for them!

Retail partners: Please view all our Pre-Orders expiring soon here:

Click here


Players & collectors: Secure your copy by placing a pre-order with your Friendly Local Game Store today!


New Pre-orders

Discover all the hot new items that open for pre-order today!

These awesome pre-orders and ALL others launching this week can be found here:

Click here


Players & collectors: Secure your copy by placing a pre-order with your Friendly Local Game Store today!


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Promotions

View all the promotional deals currently running across our entire product range!

🎲 ON PROMOTION: Oktober Game Fest! 🍻🎉

The festival of games is back — and this year it’s bigger than ever.

Oktober Game Fest is Solarpop’s largest clearance sale of the year!

From warehouse overflows to unbeatable clearance deals, shelves are stacked high with family favourites, party starters, and epic strategy titles. Whether you’re stocking up or hunting down that must-have grail game, now’s the time to load up for less.

Just like the Oktoberfest we know and love, it’s all about abundance and celebration. Gather your crew, raise your glasses, and join the feast of games and bargains.

📆 Promo runs 26 September – 16 October.

Don’t miss your chance to save big at the OKTOBER GAME FEST! 🥨🍺🎲

OKTOBER GAME FEST!

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On Clearance

Final chance to get these items (at amazing prices) before they are gone for good!

Go explore all our Clearance items:

Click here


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New Arrivals

Fresh stock just landed — explore the latest games and gear now available!

Check out the latest New Arrivals:

Shop New Arrivals


Etienne’s Corner

Hear from Solarpop’s resident expert in Board Gaming & Miniature Gaming!

Can you believe we’re already nearing the end of 2025? It’s been a big year with plenty of exciting titles released, and there are still more on the way. Even better, we have some fantastic new board games landing just in time for the festive season, perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or adding something fresh to your next game night.


Here are a few games that stand out for me that’s scheduled to arrive before the year wraps up.


Star Wars: Battle of Hoth


If you’re familiar with the Memoir board game series, this is one you won’t want to miss. Battle of Hoth delivers fast-paced, heroic miniatures combat on the icy plains of Hoth, letting players relive one of the most iconic moments from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. And for me, that film has always been my favourite from the original trilogy—the atmosphere, the tension, and the epic battle on Hoth still give me chills. Built on the acclaimed Command & Colours system, players use Command Cards each turn to activate units, manoeuvre across the battlefield, and launch attacks through 17 thrilling scenarios. For added depth, Leader Cards bring in support from six legendary Star Wars characters, while two multi-scenario campaigns let victories and defeats shape the battles that follow.


Star Wars: Unlimited — Intro Battle: Hoth (Coming November 2025)


It’s no secret, I’ve been absolutely loving Star Wars: Unlimited throughout 2025, and I can’t wait to bring this new starter set to the table. Intro Battle: Hoth launches you straight into a galaxy of endless possibilities! This self-contained box is the perfect entry point into Star Wars: Unlimited. Pick the deck that matches your playstyle, then face off against your opponent as you battle to take down each other’s base. Easy to learn yet endlessly replayable, it’s a game that has something for everyone.


7 Wonders: Dice


I’ve always had a soft spot for the 7 Wonders series, and as someone who loves history, this one really speaks to me. The latest addition shakes things up with exciting new dice-rolling mechanics, while still capturing that timeless feeling of guiding an ancient city to glory. Step into the role of a leader in one of the seven greatest cities of antiquity. Construct marvels that will stand the test of time, push the boundaries of science, foster trade, and carefully manage your gold and resources. But remember, no city thrives in isolation. Keep a watchful eye on your neighbours because neglecting them could cost you dearly. Trust me, I know!


Gwent: The Legendary Card Game


Fans of The Witcher books and game series have long dreamed of owning a physical version of Gwent, and now it’s here! Gwent: The Legendary Card Game lets you experience the Witcher universe in a whole new way. Inspired by the beloved mini-game from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, this official edition brings the deep, faction-based strategy of Gwent straight to your tabletop. In Gwent, two players construct decks from iconic factions such as the Northern Realms, Scoia’tael, Monsters, Skellige, and Nilfgaard, each with its own distinct style and abilities. The objective is simple but strategic: win two out of three rounds. On the battlefield, players deploy units and ability cards across multiple rows, using careful timing, bluffing, and resource management to outwit their opponent. Every choice matters—knowing when to push for a round and when to hold back could be the key to victory.


Stefan's Corner

Stefan’s Corner

Renowned expertise giving us the inside track into the world of Trading Cards Games & Accessories!


Pokémon



Pokémon Fans Delight!


Collectors and players can look forward to awesome box exclusives making their way to South Africa in the coming weeks. In total there are eleven Pokémon to add to your collection. The products will be available in limited quantities only at selected stores.

October Highlights

  • Venusaur ex Premium Collection & Blastoise ex Premium Collection — Toys R Us Exclusive
  • Melmetal ex Collection — Takealot Exclusive
  • Reshiram ex Collection — Toy Kingdom Exclusive
  • Latias ex Special Collection — Toys R Us Exclusive
  • Lugia ex Special Collection — Official Play! Stores Exclusive

November Highlights

  • Greninja ex Special Collection & Kingdra ex Special Collection — Amazon South Africa Exclusive
  • Snorlax ex Special Collection & Blissey ex Special Collection — Nintendo South Africa Exclusive
  • Team Rocket's Moltres ex Ultra-Premium Collection — Toys R Us Exclusive

Please contact the specific retailer for more information on availability.



Magic: The Gathering



Marvel’s Spider-Man is releasing on 26 September and due to allocations from the supplier, all products from this range are sold out on pre-order. Specific retailer allocations have been communicated to stores.



Dungeons & Dragons



Solarpop received the below notice from Wizards of the Coast:

Due to logistical issues, the EU release date has been adjusted. While the US release is scheduled for September 16th, we now expect the product to be available in EU stores by October 14th.

If retailers receive stock earlier than October 14th, they are permitted to begin sales anytime from September 16th onward. Please note that this is an estimated date, not a sales restriction.

Solarpop will share updates as more information becomes available.



Terry's Corner

Insights from our expert in Role-Playing Games & Specialty Board Games

Tiny Epic Second Edition Now Available to Pre-order



Tycoon Games, the publishers behind the massively successful Everdell game series, have announced that they will be bringing new editions of the best-selling Tiny Epic game series to the market in 2026.



Over the last decade, the Tiny Epic game series has been a favourite of board gamers across the world, providing big box game experiences in convenient travel-sized packages. Since the release of Tiny Epic Kingdoms in 2014, the range has expanded to over a dozen games, complete with expansions, add-ons, and even licensed tie-ins like Tiny Epic Game of Thrones.



The best thing about Tiny Epic is that every game plays differently, keeping to the mechanics of their respective genres rather than trying to shoehorn them into a single ruleset. Whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s a worker-placement game about farming dinosaurs, an area-control wargame, or a good old-fashioned co-operative dungeon crawl, there’s a Tiny Epic game for you.



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Marketing Content

Push your marketing to new levels with the content library.


📂 UNLOCK YOUR NEXT BESTSELLER 💥📸



Ready to turn browsers into buyers? The Solarpop Marketing Library is your secret weapon — loaded with high-impact visuals, campaign-ready assets, and plug-and-play social content built to boost your brand.

💡 Plan a showstopping shelf display?
💬 Want scroll-stopping posts for your feed?
🎯 Need promo graphics that actually drive sales?

It’s all there — easy to access, easy to use, and updated with every major launch.

🚀 Start your next in-store or online push with assets that work as hard as you do.



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