Rarity Collection 5 Is Built to Turn Heads

If you’ve been around Yu-Gi-Oh! long enough, you’ll know that some sets support the game… and others arrive to define a moment.

Rarity Collection 5 sits firmly in the second category.

Now available locally through Solarpop, this is not just another reprint set - it’s a collector-first release built around visual impact, layered rarity, and highly desirable cards.

At its core is an 80-card pool combining tournament-level staples with fan-favourite picks - the kind of cards that matter both in competitive play and long-term collections. But what elevates this set is not just what is included… it’s how it’s presented.

Each pack introduces a dedicated variant art slot, separate from the core rarity pool. This means the chase isn’t just about pulling strong cards in higher rarity - it’s about landing distinct, reimagined versions of those cards.

These variant treatments go far beyond simple foil upgrades. Expect:

• Reworked backgrounds and lighting
• Stylised visual enhancements
• Messaging-style overlays and unique design elements

In short, cards that feel intentionally redesigned, not just reprinted.

Then comes the headline feature - and a true milestone for the TCG:

Extended Art cards, appearing for the first time in Yu-Gi-Oh!

Select fan-favourite cards break beyond the traditional frame, with artwork expanding across the full card face. It’s a treatment collectors have been asking for - and its debut here immediately positions Rarity Collection 5 as a landmark release.

The structure of the set is equally smart. The core rarity chase (Super, Ultra, Secret, and premium finishes like Starlight and Platinum-style treatments) runs alongside the variant art chase, creating a layered opening experience where visual collectability and rarity value exist side by side.

And that’s where this set really lands.

Because for collectors, it’s no longer just about pulling a card…
it’s about pulling the version of that card.

You’re not just upgrading rarity.
You’re upgrading identity.

For players, it’s a premium gateway to powerful, relevant cards.
For collectors, it’s a binder-defining set with genuine first-of-its-kind appeal.

For the South African market, Rarity Collection 5 stands out as one of the most visually distinctive and collector-focused Yu-Gi-Oh! releases we’ve seen in recent years.

— Stefan, Product Manager

A New Chapter Begins for Arkham Horror: The Card Game

Greetings everyone!

In this newsletter, I wanted to explore a highly underrated genre that doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves: the Living Card Game.

A Living Card Game (LCG), pioneered by Fantasy Flight Games, is built around expansion and customisation without the randomness of traditional card game purchases. Unlike collectible card games, where players rely on random booster packs, LCGs provide fixed, transparent expansions - you always know exactly which cards you’re getting.

This approach makes it far easier to build decks, plan strategies, and stay competitive without the need to chase rare cards. One of the finest examples of this format is the Arkham Horror: The Card Game series, which showcases just how deep and engaging the LCG experience can be.

Fans of Arkham Horror, rejoice - you now have a chilling new reason to return to the streets of Arkham, or to step into them for the very first time.

The newly announced Core Set (AHC100) marks the beginning of “Chapter Two” for the acclaimed Arkham Horror: The Card Game, delivering a compelling blend of fresh content and familiar terror. Set several months after the city of Arkham endured a devastating calamity, this new core box does more than revisit the setting - it drives the narrative forward.

The result is a release that serves as both a continuation for longtime players and an ideal entry point for newcomers.

What makes this new core set especially exciting is its dual purpose. It replaces the 2021 Revised Core Set as the new evergreen foundation for the game, meaning it is now the definitive starting point for anyone looking to dive into Arkham’s mysteries.

Yet despite this shift, nothing is left behind. All player cards and content in the new core set are fully compatible with every previous release. Veterans can seamlessly integrate the new material into their existing collections, while new players can begin here without feeling like they’ve missed out.

At the heart of the Arkham Horror LCG experience are its investigators, and this new core set introduces five brand-new, mechanically distinct characters. Each investigator comes with a pre-built deck designed to reflect their personality, strengths, and weaknesses.

But these decks are just the beginning.

As you progress through scenarios, you’ll earn experience that allows you to:

• Upgrade cards
• Refine your strategy
• Customise your investigator to suit your playstyle

This evolving deck system ensures that your deck truly becomes your character, growing and adapting with every decision you make.

The new core set features a three-scenario introductory campaign, designed to ease new players into the game while still offering depth and intrigue for veterans.

Expect:

• Sinister plots rooted in the Cthulhu Mythos
• Terrifying monsters lurking in the shadows
• Branching narrative paths shaped by your choices

Every success - and every failure - has consequences. The story evolves dynamically, ensuring that no two playthroughs are ever quite the same.

This release signals more than just new cards - it represents a new chapter in the lifecycle of the game. By refreshing the core experience, Fantasy Flight is making it easier than ever for new players to jump in, while keeping the game vibrant and engaging for the existing community.

With new investigators, a fresh campaign, and full backward compatibility, the Arkham Horror LCG Core Set (AHC100) is a smart evolution of an already beloved system.

But don’t just take my word for it - check out the trailer below.

Keep an eye out for this new Core Set, arriving at retailers during April 2026.

— Etienne, Product Manager

Light Speed: Arena - Jumping to Light Speed In Real Time

In the modern era of board gaming, it can be difficult for a new game to stand out. Gamers have become much more discerning, and with the sheer number of games with great artwork, concepts, and mechanics out there, the competition is fiercer than ever. And so when I first saw Light Speed: Arena and the words “real-time tabletop shooter,” you can bet my interest was piqued. Combine that with an average playing time of 10-15 minutes and rules that can be explained in about 3 sentences, and now you’ve got me in the queue waiting to grab my copy.

Before I go any further, I should address the elephant in the room - Light Speed: Arena requires an app to play. And while that can often be an instant turn-off for many gamers, the designers have done a great job in making the app usage as unobtrusive as possible. It tells you when to place your tiles (every 10 seconds, and that’s a lot less time than you think it is) and, once all the tiles have been placed, it animates and resolves the combat, totalling up each players’ score. The strategy, the choices, and – most importantly – the mistakes are still all yours, in all their, flawed, human glory. Accuracy is rewarded, friendly fire is a real thing, and chaos will ensue no matter how hard you try, especially when you add in unique faction powers and bonus points for impressing your corporate sponsors.

With its small box, quick play time, and low complexity, Light Speed: Arena is a game that bridges the gap between party games and strategy games, a tactical shooter that provides as much laughter as it does thrills. It might be light on rules, but it certainly isn’t light on content, and it’s a game that you should definitely be checking out.

— Terry, Product Manager

THE POKÉMON CELEBRATION CONTINUES

The journey to Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary is well underway… and it’s already building serious momentum.

Across four key locations - Somerset Mall (Western Cape), Cresta Mall (Johannesburg), Menlyn Park (Pretoria), and Pavilion Mall (KwaZulu-Natal) - Toy Kingdom brought Pokémon to life with Learn to Play events that did exactly what they were designed to do: turn curiosity into community.

These events built on a proven formula. Two years ago, Toy Kingdom ran similar activations with incredible success - and this year, they returned, bigger and better, continuing a year-long national celebration of Pokémon.

And the response? Nothing short of electric.

🔥 Menlyn Park saw a brilliant crossover moment - where a group of rugby boets became full-on Poké-boets, diving headfirst into the world of trainers, decks, and strategy.

🎲 Somerset Mall was all about discovery - from first shuffle to first match, new players stepping into the game and finding their rhythm.

🛍️ Cresta Mall delivered the full journey - learn to play, fall in love with the game, and walk away proudly holding a Battle Academy… ready to continue the adventure at home.

Across the country, stores were buzzing.

With registrations filling up fast (near capacity at two venues before the weekend even began), it’s clear that demand for structured play and guided onboarding is stronger than ever.

And that’s where the magic really happens.

A new player didn’t just learn the game - they became a Trainer.

With trading cards, accessories, and entry-level products like Battle Academy readily available, the path from first play to full participation proved seamless.

Train On.

This is what it looks like when retail, community, and brand come together.

This is how you grow a category.

And this? Just the beginning of what Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary year has in store.

— Solarpop Marketing Team

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.