WHAT'S POP'N V30
Issue 30
Game On, The Momentum Continues!
With the team freshly back from Nuremberg Toy Fair, the roadmap for the months ahead is coming into sharp focus. Global trends, new product pipelines, and brand momentum are all pointing to a busy and exciting first quarter.
Off the back of Nuremberg, we’re also gearing up for a wave of new brand and product launches, with much of the action rolling out through March across multiple lifestyle ranges. Retail partners can expect fresh categories, new stories to tell, and strong talking points on shelf.
Pokémon Day is up next, with Pokémon’s birthday landing at the end of February. Expect celebratory in-store moments and strong consumer interest as one of the world’s most powerful evergreen brands takes centre stage.
And finally, planning has officially begun for Comic Con Cape Town. Early conversations are underway as we start shaping how Solarpop and its brands will show up later this year.
TOP OF THE POPS
Listen to this month’s track and set the mood for boardgame night!
Now Playing: 5 Seconds, Bru!
If your week needed a jolt of pure, local-flavoured energy, this one’s it. 5 Seconds, Bru! hits fast, loud, and unapologetically fun – the kind of track that feels like it was made for countdown timers, hype reels, and moments where hesitation isn’t invited.
It’s short, sharp, and instantly catchy, with a rhythm that builds anticipation and then refuses to let go. Perfect background fuel for launches, announcements, and those “something big is about to happen” moments. Blink and you’ll miss it – but you’ll definitely hit replay.
🎧 Vibe: High-energy, confident, tongue-in-cheek
🔥 Best used for: Hype moments, reveals, fast cuts, and playful pressure
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 herePlayers & collectors: Secure your copy by placing a pre-order with your Friendly Local Game Store today!
NEW PRE-ORDERS
Fresh titles just added - take a look and plan ahead!
Gloomhaven - Mercenary Pack (Cassandra, Forgotten Diviner) | Axis & Allies: Zombies | Operation Cuckoo - Travel Edition | Red Leaf University |
Retail partners: View all our New Pre-Orders here:
Click herePlayers & collectors: Secure your copy by placing a pre-order with your Friendly Local Game Store today!
PROMOTIONS
View all the promotional deals currently running across our entire product range!
❤️ LOVE AT FIRST ROLL
Some games don’t need a second chance. From the very first roll, flip, or draw, they spark connection, laughter, and that familiar feeling of “just one more round.”
Love at First Roll is our month-of-love celebration of board games made for shared moments – whether it’s date night at the table, family game night, or friends settling in for something fun and competitive. This curated selection highlights easy-to-love titles that invite replayability, togetherness, and meaningful time spent around the table.
Running from 23 January to 19 February, this promotion is perfectly timed for peak gifting season, helping retailers lean into February with games that create memorable moments between turns.
Because sometimes, love isn’t about grand gestures – it’s about opening the box and letting the game do the rest.
LOVE AT FIRST ROLL
ON CLEARANCE
Final chance to get these items (at amazing prices) before they are gone for good!
NEW ARRIVALS
Discover what just landed on local shelves!
STEFAN’S CORNER
TCG highlights and what’s hot on the horizon.
Magic: The Gathering | 2026 Preview
Magic: The Gathering is gearing up for one of its biggest years yet. With a packed release schedule and an expanded product lineup, there’s plenty to excite both long-time fans of the Multiverse and newcomers drawn in by Universes Beyond.
January’s Lorwyn Eclipsed set proved a crowd favourite—faeries never go out of fashion—and Standard got a welcome boost with the reintroduction of Theme Decks. These ready-to-play decks make Friday Night Magic more accessible than ever, ensuring fresh faces at local game stores throughout the year.
This month, Magic heads back to New York with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover, followed by a return to Strixhaven in April, and then a Marvel-themed set in June.
Secrets of Strixhaven (April 2026)
Magic returns to the Multiverse’s greatest university in Secrets of Strixhaven, where mysteries await within its hallowed halls. The five colleges—Lorehold, Prismari, Quandrix, Silverquill, and Witherbloom—are back, each with its own distinct identity and magical focus. Players will sharpen their skills, make discoveries, and compete to prove their college’s supremacy. But beware: deeper knowledge brings greater danger.
If my own higher education had offered courses like Archaeomancy, Elemental Arts, Numeromancy, Eloquence, and Essence Studies, I might have paid more attention in class.
Prerelease Weekend: 17–19 April 2026
Global Release: 24 April 2026
Marvel Super Heroes (June 2026)
Expanding Universes Beyond, Wizards of the Coast and Marvel continue their five-year partnership. After 2025’s Secret Lair crossovers and the Spider-Man set, June’s release shifts focus to the broader Marvel universe. Expect appearances from the Fantastic Four, The Avengers, and their iconic villains.
The set will also showcase striking alternate art treatments (link) —a must-see for collectors.
Prerelease Weekend: 19–21 June 2026
Global Release: 26 June 2026
For a deeper look, check out the Weekly MTG YouTube channel, featuring insights from The Command Zone and actor Gabriel Luna: Marvel Super Heroes Preview Prologue
With faeries, ninjas, mages, and superheroes all on the horizon, 2026 promises to be a landmark year for Magic: The Gathering. Whether you’re a veteran planeswalker or just picking up your first deck, there’s never been a better time to join the game.
— Stefan, Product Manager
ETIENNE’S CORNER
New year, new games and the picks I couldn’t put down.
Under the Twin Suns: Why Star Wars Unlimited Is Better with More Friends
Greetings folks! In this content corner, I wanted to dive a little deeper into my current (and rapidly growing) obsession: Star Wars Unlimited – Twin Suns. This multiplayer format has taken over more than a few game days and evenings, with friends and I regularly duking it out around the table. But before I get too carried away, let’s start at the beginning.
What Is Twin Suns in Star Wars Unlimited?
Twin Suns is the official multiplayer format for Star Wars Unlimited, designed for players who want bigger games, more interaction, and a more social table experience. While the standard (Premier) format focuses on tight, one-on-one battles, Twin Suns opens the game up to three or four players in a single match. Each player brings their own deck and competes simultaneously, turning every game into a shifting mix of strategy, negotiation, and cinematic moments. The name “Twin Suns” is a nod to Tatooine’s iconic dual sunsets, and it fits perfectly. This format is all about shared spotlight, overlapping conflicts, and choices that affect more than just one opponent.
How It Plays (At a Glance)
In Twin Suns:
- Multiple players take turns around the table instead of facing a single opponent.
- Attacks, abilities, and timing choices matter more, as every move is public.
- Alliances naturally form and break as players react to whoever is pulling ahead.
- Instead of using one Leader, players use two Leaders, allowing for some truly exciting synergies and combos.
- Decks consist of 80 cards (excluding 2 Leaders and 1 Base), and you may only include one copy of each card.
- Instead of just an Initiative Token (you mainly use this in Premier play), you also have the Blast Token (all other players bases take 1 damage) & the Plan Token (claim this token and you get to draw 1 card & place 1 card at the bottom of your deck).
Why It Feels Different
Twin Suns fundamentally changes the feel of Star Wars Unlimited. Instead of focusing purely on efficiency & timing, players need to consider:
- when to commit resources.
- when to stay under the radar.
- and when to strike before someone else runs away with the game.
A Twin Suns match also ends as soon as one player is eliminated. The remaining players finish the current phase, and then the game ends, meaning the format never outstays its welcome. What really stands out, though, is how memorable these Twin Suns games are. Momentum swings dramatically, tension stays high, and I’ve yet to play a game that didn’t go right down to the wire.
I often introduce Twin Suns to new players as Star Wars Unlimited’s “Commander / EDH”. Considering how important that format is to Magic: The Gathering, it’s no surprise that Fantasy Flight Games has already confirmed pre-constructed Twin Suns decks launching in Q2 of 2026.
Twin Suns transforms Star Wars Unlimited from a competitive duel into a shared experience. It’s ideal for casual play, especially if you’re looking for a break from Premier and it allows more players to jump in, play together, and create memorable moments around the table.
And remember folks, Under the Twin Suns, Star Wars Unlimited truly shines 😊
— Etienne, Product Manager
TERRY’S CORNER
Board game insights and what’s caught my attention.
BoardGameGeek Hall of Fame Inductees 2026
Back in January 2025, BoardGameGeek.com (the premier tabletop gaming community website) created their own Hall of Fame to honour games that have made meaningful contributions to the board game hobby in the areas of innovation, artistry, and impact. These have remained staples of gaming tables the world over some 20, 30, or in some cases even 60 years after they were first published. January 2026 saw the second round of inductions, and I’m very excited to talk about all the new honourees (especially now that we’re not inducting 25 games at once!).
The first game to make the list this year is Puerto Rico , a classic of the worker placement genre originally released in 2002. Players take on the role of colonial governors on the titular island, overseeing the shipping of goods to Europe, the acquisition of valuable commodities from plantations, and the establishment of buildings, each with their own special power or bonus. These special bonuses are the main dynamic that drives play forwards, with players trying to strategically time their actions to maximum effect. In a genre that’s sometimes criticised for not having much interaction between players, it’s no wonder Puerto Rico has remained a fan-favourite with a roughly 8/10 rating across its various editions.
Next, we have almost the complete opposite side of the coin with Memoir ’44 , originally released in 2004. Memoir ’44 is both mechanically simple and strategically deep, with good timing and flexible planning being key to securing victory as players face off in some of the most famous historic battles of World War II. It’s also renowned for its highly detailed and historically accurate miniatures. 2025 saw the release of both a “refreshed” edition of Memoir ’44 and the Star Wars-themed Battle of Hoth to great success – not bad for a 20-year-old game.
Probably the lightest game (both mechanically and physically) that’s been inducted so far, Love Letter might seem out of place at first. But underneath its fairly straightforward design and premise is a game that rewards risk-taking and clever deduction, as well as providing the opportunity to outwit your friends in spectacular fashion. Since its release in 2012 it’s been reimplanted into a dozen themes; some obvious (like award-winning TV show Bridgerton) and some less obvious (like the Avengers or Star Wars), making it arguably the most influential 16 cards in gaming history.
And last but by no means least, we have Terraforming Mars . Despite being by far the newest release to be added, having only been released in 2016, its place in the BGG Hall of Fame is hard to deny. It received a full 40 award nominations between 2016–2020, winning 14 of them, has over a dozen expansions, and even a dice-based variant. Terraforming Mars also boasts some of the deepest and most varied strategies for winning of any of the games inducted this year, making it a must-play for fans of more complex modern designs.
That wraps up my recap of the new inductees for another year. If you haven’t taken the time to pack these games out onto your table yet, I can’t think of a better time to do so.
— Terry, Product Manager
MARISKA’S CORNER
Hear from our resident toy and lifestyle product expert!
Step Up Your Sock Game: Where Pop Culture Meets Everyday Style
Socks have officially stepped out of the background.
What was once a simple everyday essential has become a bold fashion statement — and our new Branded Socks range proves exactly why. Inspired by iconic POP culture worlds from DC Comics and Warner Bros, this collection brings together fandom, fashion, and fun in a way that’s designed to be worn loud.
From legendary heroes like Superman, Batman, and The Flash, to magical storytelling from Harry Potter and the irreverent humour of Rick and Morty, every pair is crafted to celebrate the characters and universes fans love most.
More Than Just Socks
This isn’t just about putting a logo on fabric. Each design is created to reflect the personality, colour, and energy of its source — turning socks into collectible-style pieces that feel expressive, playful, and premium.
Whether you gravitate toward classic superhero strength, wizarding-world nostalgia, or animated edge, the range offers something for every kind of fan. Think bold graphics, vibrant colour palettes, and standout patterns that instantly elevate even the simplest outfit.
Built for Fans, Gifting, and Collecting
These socks are made for:
• Everyday wearers who want to add personality to their look
• Collectors who love owning branded pieces from their favourite franchises
• Gift-givers searching for something fun, accessible, and universally loved
They’re the kind of item that works just as well wrapped up for someone special as they do kept for yourself.
Bold. Collectible. Packed with character.
📦 Preorders are now open — step into your fandom and upgrade your sock game today.
— Mariska, Product Manager
MARKETING TEAM SPOTLIGHT
Meet the people behind the ideas, the hype, and the execution.
Behind every launch, mailer, in-store moment, and perfectly timed hype drop is a team pulling the strings, pushing pixels, and turning big ideas into real-world magic.
For V30, we’re flipping the spotlight inward and introducing the people who make the noise, build the buzz, and keep Solarpop moving at full tilt. From strategy to storytelling, spreadsheets to store theatre, this is the crew shaping how our brands show up, stand out, and stay top of mind.
Time to meet the team behind the marketing. 👋🔥
Lorelei Channer
Head of Sales & Marketing
As Head of Sales & Marketing at Solarpop, I lead the commercial and brand strategy that drives growth across all channels. This role brings together sales execution, key account management, marketing direction, and long-term planning to ensure our brands succeed in-store, online, and at major events.
I work across teams to align product, sales, marketing, and training behind shared goals, while building strong relationships with retail partners and brand licensors. The focus is on sustainable growth, clear priorities, and creating a unified go-to-market approach that delivers results for both Solarpop and our partners.
Philip Galliford
Senior Marketing Manager
As Senior Marketing Manager at Solarpop, I oversee the strategy, planning, and execution of marketing across our portfolio of brands and retail partners. From campaign development and product launches to events, PR, and retailer-focused marketing, my role is about turning great products into clear, compelling stories that perform in the real world.
I work closely with sales, training, product, and external partners to ensure everything we do is aligned, measurable, and built for impact. The focus is always on brand growth, retailer support, and creating moments that connect products with the communities who love them.
Alex Irwin
Marketing Assistant | Retail Experience Manager
I’m the behind-the-scenes doer who helps turn big marketing ideas into real-world moments customers can’t miss. As Marketing Assistant, I support campaigns, launches, and day-to-day marketing magic, making sure everything runs smoothly from planning to execution. If it needs coordinating, polishing, or bringing over the finish line, chances are I’m involved.
In my role as Retail Experience Manager, I focus on creating retail theatre - from eye-catching national merchandising and in-store experiences to making sure our online and social channels amplify what’s happening on the ground. My goal is to make our brands pop wherever customers meet them, transforming shelves, screens, and store spaces into experiences that feel exciting, intentional, and unmistakably us.
Choci Mooketsi
Graphic Designer
Hi all! My name is Choci Mooketsi, but you can all me the Queen of Creativity. I am a Graphic Designer who crafts visual vibes for our Marketing Department. Besides being a Graphic Designer, I am a model slaying looks and a fashionista plotting my next style takeover. And they know it there by the office. I do bring a little bit of crazy fun into the team, I mean they are rumours that creative people are crazy after all.
I bring ideas to life through my art, brand identities that pop, social media posts that grab your attention and print designs that make people stop and stare. I illustrate, design posters, banners, brochures, logos, etc. Watch out for me, I will be bringing more fiery designs to you!
Michael Maluleke (Mike)
National Training Manager
I’m the Training Manager at Solarpop, responsible for delivering practical, in-store and virtual training that helps retail teams sell with confidence. From planning weekly store visits to running on-the-job sessions, my focus is making sure partners understand our products, brands, and how to turn that knowledge into sales.
I work closely with the marketing, product, and sales teams to stay aligned on what’s launching, what needs focus, and what stores are asking for. Acting as Solarpop’s face in-store, I ensure feedback flows both ways and that training remains relevant, measurable, and impactful.
Every session is tracked, evaluated, and refined to keep our training effective, cost-efficient, and valuable to both our partners and the Solarpop business.
UNPLUG YOURSELF PLAY PORTAL
Empowering Your Game, Empowering Your Community
Unplug Yourself - Play Portal
Community play continues to be a powerful driver of engagement, and Unplug Yourself is expanding how players, stores, and organisers connect through its Play Portal.
The Unplug Yourself Play Portal is designed to empower local game communities by giving organisers the tools to create, manage, and grow organised play experiences. From casual social evenings to structured leagues and competitive play, the platform supports a wide range of formats that bring players together around the table.
Through the Play Portal, organisers can:
- Create and manage leagues, tournaments, and social play events
- Track wins, rankings, and player progress
- Support player growth from casual to competitive
- Build consistent, community-led play within local stores and regions
What’s available:
- Star Wars Unlimited
- One Piece
- Catan
- King of Tokyo
- Ticket to Ride
- Dune Imperium
- Magic: The Gathering
These leagues and events are designed to run at store level while feeding into broader regional and national play, helping hobby stores and community hubs deepen engagement and repeat foot traffic.
Retailers and players interested in hosting or participating can sign up via the Unplug Yourself Play Portal and become part of a growing national network focused on organised play, community building, and shared experiences.
Upcoming Organised Play Events:
- Star Wars Unlimited PQ’s
Event Highlight | View Event - Yu-Gi-Oh! South Africa Open
View Event
KENDRA’S CORNER
Hobby highlights and celebrating community milestones.
Lorwyn Eclipsed Prerelease: A Fantastic Showing Across Stores
The Lorwyn Eclipsed prerelease weekend was a resounding success, with strong turnouts, great energy, and fantastic engagement across multiple stores.
From packed tables to late-running rounds, it was clear that players were excited to return to Lorwyn and experience the set for the first time in a prerelease environment. Everyone reported healthy attendance, smooth event execution, and a lot of buzz around both gameplay and flavour, exactly what we hope to see from a prerelease weekend.
What stood out most was the atmosphere, welcoming, social, and genuinely enthusiastic. Whether players were long-time Magic regulars, returning fans or newer faces attending their very first prerelease, the events captured what prerelease weekends are meant to be about, discovery, community, and shared excitement about the game we love.
We’d like to thank all the stores that ran events over the weekend and shared photos. Seeing full tables, smiling players, and well-run events across different locations really drives home how strong and engaged the Magic community continues to be.
With Lorwyn Eclipsed now behind us, eyes are already turning to the next prerelease, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Below is a list of stores hosting events, so be sure to check out where you can play and join in for the next prerelease weekend:
Western Cape:
The Luckshack – Fish Hoek (luckshack.co.za)
The Luckshack – Milnerton (luckshack.co.za)
The Luckshack – Plumstead (luckshack.co.za)
The Battle Bunker (thebattlebunker.co.za)
Sword & Board (swordandboard.co.za)
The Warren (thewarren.co.za)
Lone Rogue (lonerogueproductions.com)
Mossdog Games (mossdoggames.com)
Gauteng:
D20 Battleground (WPN Premium) (d20battleground.co.za)
Armchair Generals (armchairgenerals.co.za)
Mirage – Pretoria (miragegaming.co.za)
Nexus (nexushub.co.za)
The Geek Home (geekhome.co.za)
Gengar Games (gengargames.com)
Wizards Collection – Rosebank (wizardscollection.com)
Eastern Cape:
Pine Corner (Facebook)
The Den (thedenttg.co.za)
KwaZulu-Natal:
The Big Bang Shop (WPN Premium) (bigbangshop.co.za)
Batcave Comics n Games (batcave.co.za)
The Gnarly Griffin (thegnarlygriffin.com)
WZRD TCG (wzrd.co.za)
Namibia:
Namibia Book Market (namibiabooks.com)
— Kendra, Hobby Account Manager
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Important operational updates for our retail partners.
Solarpop Stock Take & Office Closure – February 2026
We’d like to remind our retail partners of the upcoming Solarpop stock take and office closure dates to assist with planning and order placement.
Annual Stock Take
Our annual stock take will take place on Wednesday, 25 February and Thursday, 26 February 2026. During this period, our Cape Town offices and warehouse will be closed, and staff availability will be limited.
- No orders will be processed on 25–26 February
- Retail partners are encouraged to place orders as early as possible to avoid delays
- Our Johannesburg team will remain available to assist with queries
Office & Warehouse Closure
Solarpop will be fully closed on Friday, 27 February 2026.
- No staff available to assist with queries
- Warehouse closed – no shipments dispatched
- All staff return on Monday, 2 March 2026
Important Order & Collection Cut-Offs
- Final courier handover by close of business on Monday, 23 February 2026
- Collections on 24 February at the usual 15:00 time
- Orders not collected will be available from 2 March
- Orders received after 24 February will be processed from 2 March
We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding and cooperation.