K-POP DEMON HUNTERS COMING SOON!

Solarpop is hyped to bring the K-POP Demon Hunters Official Sticker Collection to South Africa - a high-energy fusion of K-pop stardom and demon-slaying action that’s already making noise globally.

Because let’s be honest… saving the world by day and performing on stage by night? That’s peak main-character energy. 💅⚔️

Collect the Crew

The range includes:

Sticker Albums + Starter Packs
Multipacks for fast collection building
Single Packs for that “just one more” moment

Designed for repeat purchases, trading, and full-set completion - this is a collectible that keeps customers coming back for the encore.

Why It Hits

With bold visuals, a globally backed IP, and the unstoppable momentum of K-pop culture, this range lands right in the sweet spot between fandom and retail performance.

It’s not just stickers… it’s a chase.

Pre-Order Bonus

👉 Get 5% off all pre-orders placed before 30 April 2026

Early orders = front-row seats to the hype.

In Short

K-POP Demon Hunters is loud, stylish, and impossible to ignore.

A collectible with attitude… and just enough chaos to sell out fast.

Changes to the Wizards Play Network

Community sits at the heart of every hobby, and nowhere is that more evident than in local game stores. While players connect across digital spaces, it’s organised in-store play that truly builds lasting engagement — and programmes like the Wizards Play Network (WPN) play a critical role in making that happen.

The WPN enables retailers to host official events, access exclusive products and prize support, and position their stores as trusted, inclusive destinations for fans of Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. It’s a proven framework for driving both community growth and consistent foot traffic.

In 2026, Wizards of the Coast has announced a significant evolution of the WPN, with updates focused on improving retailer tools, increasing access to insights, and strengthening store-level benefits. A notable addition is a new player feedback system, allowing communities to review their in-store experiences — providing valuable, real-time insight for store owners to refine and grow their offering.

WPN Premium remains one of the highest honours a store can achieve globally, with only around 6% of locations reaching this level. Under the new structure, existing Premium stores will transition to Legendary status. South Africa is proud to be home to three of these stores:

• The Batcave Comics and Games
• The Big Bang Shop
• D20 Battleground

For retailers looking to elevate their in-store experience and build stronger communities, joining the WPN remains a powerful step forward. Applications can be submitted directly via the official Wizards platform, or through your Solarpop representative for guidance and support.

As the programme evolves, one thing remains clear — stores that invest in community, structure, and play will continue to lead the way.

— Stefan, Product Manager

Taco vs Taco Back – What’s the Difference?

Howzit everyone! Let’s talk about one of my all-time favourite party games: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. If you’re thinking, “What on earth is that?”, then you’re missing out on one of the best icebreakers in the game space.

It’s fast. It’s chaotic. It’s ridiculously funny. And it gets people laughing within minutes.

Over time, new versions have entered the mix — including Taco Back Goat Cheese Pizza. Same DNA, same energy… but with a few clever twists.

The OG: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

The original is built on quick reflexes and pattern recognition. Players flip cards while chanting:

“Taco – Cat – Goat – Cheese – Pizza.”

If the card matches the word spoken, everyone slaps the pile. Last one to react? You’re taking those cards.

Then come the chaos cards:

• Gorilla – chest thump
• Narwhal – make a horn
• Groundhog – knock on the table
• Springbok – horns on your head

Perform the action, slap the pile, and try not to be last. First player to get rid of all their cards wins.

Enter: Taco Back Goat Cheese Pizza

The new variant keeps the same fast-paced gameplay but introduces a twist in the sequence:

“Taco – Back – Goat – Cheese – Pizza.”

Sounds small… plays big.

The Game-Changer: Back Cards

When a Back card appears and there’s a match, players must slap the back of their hand on the pile instead of the usual palm.

Get it wrong? First mistake takes the pile. Simple… and brutally effective.

New action cards also join the party:

• Panda – rub your belly
• Moose – antlers up
• Sea Lion – clap twice

Pro Tip

Already own the original? Mix both decks together for maximum chaos. When you’re done, just separate them using the small sun icon on the cards.

Whether you’re adding to your collection or jumping in for the first time, both versions deliver the same thing:

Fast hands. Loud laughs. Zero dignity.

You’ve been warned.

— Etienne, Product Manager

Yippee-ki-yay, it’s Flip 7: With a Vengeance

Since its original release in late 2024, Flip 7 has practically become a household name in tabletop gaming. Its simple, familiar rules paired with clever push-your-luck and card counting mechanics made it an instant hit across the boardgame world - from families browsing their local toy store, to hobby gamers, to TCG players looking to wind down after a big weekend event.

At this point, Flip 7 almost needs no introduction. But, to borrow a line from The Phantom Menace, “there’s always a bigger fish” - and the good folks at The OP Games have now delivered Flip 7’s bigger, meaner cousin: Flip 7: With a Vengeance.

The biggest shake-up comes in the action cards. Gone are the familiar Second Chances, Flip Threes, and Freezes. In their place are nastier new cards that let players force discards, swap cards, or even steal directly from their opponents. And yes, the Flip Three has been turbocharged into a Flip Four, because apparently the chaos needed more horsepower.

Vengeance also expands the deck, with numbered cards now running all the way up to 13, and introduces special conditions on some of those values - including the Lucky 13 and the Unlucky 7. Trust me, you really do not want to get hit by that one.

And because gamers are clearly gluttons for punishment, negative score modifier cards can now be played onto any player, opening the door for even more bad luck, backstabbing, and table-flipping energy.

If you thought the original was tense, Flip 7: With a Vengeance takes that familiar formula and sharpens every edge. It’s fast, brutal, and guaranteed to turn a friendly game night into a full-blown vendetta.

Flip 7: With a Vengeance is available to pre-order now, so if you’re ready to embrace the chaos, make sure you secure your copy.

— Terry, Product Manager

From Shelf to Social

At Solarpop, we don’t just move product - we build momentum around it.

Over the past few months, there’s been a very deliberate shift in how we approach marketing. It’s no longer about isolated campaigns or once-off pushes. It’s about creating a connected system where every touchpoint works together to drive demand, support retail, and ultimately increase sell-through.

It starts in-store.
Strong placement, clear messaging, and the right tools - from shelf talkers to CDU displays - ensuring products don’t just sit on shelves, but actively catch attention and convert.

From there, we amplify.
Retail-ready social content, WhatsApp callouts, and consistent digital support keep products visible, relevant, and part of the conversation long after a customer has left the store.

We also work to equip our retail partners.
Providing them with ready-to-use assets, campaign direction, and product highlights that make it easier to execute at store level without adding operational pressure.

And then we bring it to life.
Events, activations, and community engagement - from Comic Con to in-store demos - turning awareness into real, tangible excitement that customers can see, feel, and experience.

The goal is simple.
Create moments that move product.

Because when retail, digital, and community all pull in the same direction, we don’t just generate interest - we create sustained demand, stronger sell-through, and better long-term performance for our partners.

And that’s where the real growth happens.

— Solarpop Marketing Team

Pokémon Special Event - Cape Town Heats Up

Trainers, this one’s for you.

The 2026 South Africa Pokémon Special Event, in collaboration with Luckshack Plumstead, is set to deliver a full day of high-energy competitive play.

Masters, Seniors, and Juniors will go head-to-head across three core formats:
⚡ TCG
🎮 VGC
📱 Pokémon GO

Whether you’re chasing Championship Points or stepping into the competitive scene, this is where the action happens.

Cape Town, get ready.
This is organised play at its best.

Demo Team Drive - Join the Movement

We’re building something bigger than events.

The Unplug Yourself Demo Team is expanding, and we’re looking for passionate individuals ready to bring games to life across the country.

From Comic Con floors to in-store activations, Demo Team members are:
🧩 Teaching games
🎤 Energising players
🌈 Creating memorable experiences
🧠 Growing the play community

No cape required. Just great energy, confidence, and a love for play.

Turn play into purpose.
Come Unplug Yourself.

Unplug Yourself - Play Portal

Community play continues to be one of the strongest drivers of engagement, and the Unplug Yourself Play Portal is taking that to the next level.

Designed to connect players, stores, and organisers, the platform gives local communities the tools to create, manage, and grow organised play - from casual game nights to structured leagues and competitive events.

Through the Play Portal, organisers can:

• Create and manage leagues, tournaments, and social events
• Track wins, rankings, and player progression
• Support players moving from casual to competitive play
• Build consistent, community-led engagement at store level

Current supported titles include:

Star Wars Unlimited, One Piece, Catan, King of Tokyo, Ticket to Ride, Dune Imperium, and Magic: The Gathering.

These initiatives are designed to run at store level while feeding into broader regional and national play - helping hobby stores build stronger communities and drive repeat foot traffic.

The objective is simple:
Grow communities.
Increase participation.
Create consistent reasons to come back and play.

Because when people play, they stay.