Product Update: Mega Zygarde ex & Secrets of Strixhaven

Pokémon TCG: Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection

Please note that the Pokémon TCG: Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection (SKU: 10-10359-108), releasing on 1 May, was incorrectly titled as part of the Mega Evolution – Ascended Heroes expansion.

This Premium Collection is a stand-alone product and will not contain any Ascended Heroes booster packs.

Arrival of this product has been delayed, and the Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection is expected to be in stores by the 15th of May.

Secrets of Strixhaven - Prerelease Update

Due to delays impacting product arrival in certain regions, Wizards of the Coast have announced an adjustment to the rollout of the upcoming Secrets of Strixhaven expansion.

Prerelease events will now be combined with the official set release, with the updated prerelease window scheduled for 24–30 April.

Wizards Play Network stores have been advised to reschedule any events originally planned for 17–23 April.

Classes are postponed, not cancelled! Students of the arcane arts should check in with their local gaming stores to confirm when to report for their magical exams.

— Stefan, Product Manager

The True King of Monsters Has Entered the Arena

There are board games… and then there are city-smashing, monster-brawling, dice-chucking spectacles. Enter King of Tokyo: Godzilla, where Toho’s most iconic kaiju don’t just appear, they throw down. One of the best gateway family games returns in a bold, standalone experience that brings a fresh twist to the formula, making it a must-have for any fan of the King of Tokyo series.

The premise is gloriously simple: Tokyo is under attack, and only one monster can claim the title of King of Tokyo. Taking control of legendary creatures like Godzilla, King Ghidorah, Mothra, Rodan, Hedorah, and Mechagodzilla, players battle it out in a chaotic, laugh-filled fight for dominance.

Buildings crumble, alliances last about five seconds, and every turn feels like a scene straight out of a kaiju blockbuster.

At its heart, this is a fast-paced family game built around dice, cards, and pure monster mayhem. Each turn, you roll six dice, up to three times, deciding which to keep and which to reroll. The symbols are simple but powerful:

• Victory Points (1, 2, 3) – your path to claiming Tokyo
• Energy – your currency for upgrades
• Heal – because even monsters need a breather
• Attack – because… obviously

The choices are deceptively strategic. Do you go all-in on damage? Play it safe and heal? Or quietly stack points while everyone else tears each other apart? Control Tokyo, and you’re in the spotlight. You’ll earn extra victory points and assert your dominance over the city, but there’s a catch. You can’t heal, and every other monster is coming straight for you. It’s the classic risk-reward dilemma: rule the city and suffer the consequences or hang back and wait for your moment to strike.

For veterans of the original King of Tokyo, this version brings some exciting twists. Event cards shake up the battlefield, introducing effects that impact everyone, because sometimes chaos needs a little boost. And yes, fan-favourite evolution cards are here too, adding unique abilities and flavour to each monster.

Energy isn’t just for show, it fuels your rise to unstoppable greatness. Spend it on special cards that grant wild abilities like:

• Growing a second head (extra dice = extra chaos)
• Equipping body armor to shrug off damage
• Firing a devastating nova death ray
• And plenty more ridiculous upgrades

Each game quickly turns into a battle of increasingly absurd, overpowered monsters, and that’s exactly the point.

King of Tokyo: Godzilla is everything you want in a game night centerpiece: easy to learn, endlessly replayable, and packed with laugh-out-loud moments. It’s not just about winning, it’s about the time you blasted your friend out of Tokyo with a perfectly timed attack, or the moment your nearly-dead monster made a miraculous comeback. So, roll the dice, embrace the destruction, and remember…..

There can only be one King of Tokyo.

Be on the lookout for King of Tokyo Godzilla at your FLGS in late Q2 2026.

Feel free to check out the trailer below.

— Etienne, Product Manager

Hues and Cues – A Game of Guess “Hue”

Ok I admit, that might be the worst pun I’ve ever made, but if it caught your attention, I will consider myself absolved.

Hues And Cues is one of the most unique concepts for a party game I’ve come across, challenging players to connect colours to a series of one- and two-word cues. Which sounds simple, except that there are a whopping 480 shades on the board, and none of the cues can directly reference colours.

Players will have to get creative and use examples from everyday life to guide each other to the chosen colours, earning more points the better their hints or guesses are. And that brings up the other thing that makes Hues and Cues so interesting.

Everyone experiences colour differently, and people are really bad at remembering colours accurately – take this quiz if you don’t believe me. This means that you’ll have to play off others’ experiences and get onto their wavelengths if you want to earn maximum points, offering a very different take on social deduction than your average party game.

With such a unique concept, it’s no wonder Hues and Cues has become a staple of casual game nights the world over. Make sure this one is on your radar for when stock arrives this winter.

— Terry, Product Manager

The Art of Slowing Down: New DIY Clay Kits Arrive in Bloom

Create, Sculpt & Style - The Hottest DIY Craft Range Has Landed

We are excited to introduce a beautiful new arrival that is set to captivate both teens and adults alike - the Hunter Studio Artistry Air Dry Clay Range, now in stock with Flowers, Succulents, and Butterfly Shadow Box Kits.

There’s a quiet shift happening in how people choose to spend their time. In a world filled with constant notifications and screen fatigue, consumers are actively seeking ways to slow down, create, and reconnect with something tangible. Enter this latest arrival - a collection designed to turn creativity into both an experience and a keepsake.

A Global Trend Driving Creative Living

Crafting is no longer niche - it’s a global lifestyle movement. The DIY and crafts market is projected to exceed $50 billion by 2028, driven by adults seeking creative wellness outlets.

This surge is fueled by:

• A growing need for digital detox activities
• The rise of mindfulness and art therapy
• Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram amplifying creative trends

Air dry clay, in particular, has emerged as a standout category - combining accessibility with visually satisfying results that are highly shareable.

Where Creativity Meets Home Décor

What sets this range apart is its ability to seamlessly bridge crafting and décor. These are not just activities - they produce finished pieces that consumers are proud to display.

• Flower Kits bring bold colour and intricate detail into any space
• Succulent Kits offer a modern, minimalist aesthetic with long-lasting appeal
• Butterfly Clay-by-Number Kits deliver a guided, satisfying creative journey

Each kit transforms soft, stretchable clay into textured, dimensional artwork - turning a simple activity into a personalised décor statement.

The Power of Mindful Making

Beyond aesthetics, the true appeal of this range lies in the experience itself.

• Sculpting provides a meditative, rhythmic activity that helps reduce stress
• It offers a screen-free escape, encouraging presence and focus
• The tactile nature of clay promotes sensory engagement and relaxation

This positions the range perfectly within the growing wellness and self-care category, where consumers are increasingly investing in products that support mental well-being.

More Than a Craft - A Creative Escape

The Hunter Studio Artistry range is more than just a product launch - it’s an entry into a growing consumer mindset centred around creativity, calm, and personal expression.

With flowers that never fade, succulents that require no care, and butterflies that come to life through your hands, this range offers something truly special: a moment to pause, create, and enjoy.

And in today’s fast-paced world, that’s exactly what consumers are looking for.

— Mariska, Product Manager

🌟 Marketing Corner: Comic Con Cape Town – Step Into the Solarpop World!

Comic Con Cape Town is almost here, and this year Solarpop is bringing the experience straight to the entrance foyer of the CTICC - making it impossible to miss and even harder to leave.

At the heart of it all is our Poké-Party CCCt Edition - a fully interactive Pokémon space where fans can grab their Pikachu hats, learn to play the Pokémon TCG, get the youngsters face painted, and immerse themselves in a world of Pokémon fun. It’s all about discovery, engagement, and bringing the magic of Pokémon to life for both new and existing fans.

Right next door, we’re setting sail into the world of Catan, where our pirate, knight, or friendly farmer will guide visitors through the base game and beyond. From first-time settlers to seasoned traders, it’s a chance to experience the depth of the range and explore the many expansions that keep players coming back for more.

And when it’s time to slow things down, visitors can step into our Board Game Home - a space designed to feel just like home. Whether you’re crashing on the couch, pulling up a chair at the table, or stopping by the Spot It South Africa Bar (yes, we’re officially launching it at Comic Con Cape Town), there’s a game waiting to be played.

This is more than a stand - it’s a fully realised Solarpop world. A place to play, discover, and connect. And a powerful reminder of how experiential retail and live events bring our brands to life in ways that go far beyond the shelf.

— 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.