Now Playing: The Split & the Peel

This week we're serving up something with serious groove — a reggae rock tribute to the one and only Bananagrams.

The Split & the Peel has the kind of laid-back energy that makes you want to flip your tiles, shout "Peel!", and challenge everyone in the room to a rematch. Sun-soaked rhythms, a little swagger, and a whole lot of wordplay love baked right in.

Press play, find your letters, and go bananas 🍌🎸

June Pop'd Price Drop 💥

June is in full swing, and so is the Pop'd Price Drop.

Running from 29 May through to 25 June, there is still plenty of time to take advantage of this month's deals — whether you are stocking shelves, planning ahead, or just looking for the perfect excuse to upgrade your winter game nights.

The selection is below. Go find your next favourite.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Chaos Origins

It has been a wild few weeks in the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!, and right at the centre of it all is the Chaos Origins Prerelease and release weekend.

Chaos Origins is a set that feels genuinely special — and if you have any love for the original Yu-Gi-Oh! anime and manga, you will understand why. Yami Yugi is on the pack and box, and Konami has brought back some of the most iconic monsters in the game's history, reimagined with modern effects built for today's competitive environment. Black Luster Soldier. Magician of Black Chaos. Summoned Skull. Celtic Guardian. Kuriboh. These are not just nostalgia plays — these cards have real teeth now, and the new Ritual Spell that ties them all together is genuinely clever design.

The Sacred Beasts make a return too, and they are more accessible than ever. If you struggled to get them on the field before, the new support addresses that in a big way.

Beyond the nostalgia, Chaos Origins introduces two brand new world premiere themes worth watching. The Blitzclique archetype is a fast, aggressive Thunder-type strategy built around explosive hand effects. And then there is the chess theme — a Synchro-based strategy with no Main Deck monsters that is as brainy as the game it is named after. It will take some learning, but the ceiling looks high.

Oh, and one more thing. Chaos Origins marks the debut of Starlight 2.0 — updated Starlight Rares with richer colours, improved readability, and a rainbow foil outer border. If you pull one, you will know immediately that something has changed. In a good way.

The Chaos Origins Prerelease events run on 27 and 28 June, with the official release following on 3 July. A fantastic set to open, to play, and to collect. Watch this space.

Dungeon Crawler Carl Hits the Tabletop

I've always been a big fan of quirky, off-the-wall fantasy — something I attribute to being introduced to Terry Pratchett's Discworld series at a young age — and anyone who has read Matt Dinniman's best-selling science-fantasy book series will agree it's probably the most off-the-wall thing to hit the genre in recent years. Which is why I'm so excited to talk about not just one, but TWO new tabletop games set in the world of Dungeon Crawler Carl, releasing later this year from Renegade Games. And the one I'm most excited for might surprise you if you're a regular reader.

With the success of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and Renegade's pedigree, these games are set to be among the biggest hits of 2026, and are available to pre-order on our B2B now.

Spoil Your Superhero!

If you're looking for the perfect gift for your superhero this Father's Day, look no further — we've got socks! Socks?? How original, right? Trust us — these socks are special, just like the superhero in your life. They're not only extremely high quality but feature some of the most beloved DC superheroes of all time. Why not remind your dad he's your superhero whenever he puts on his shoes.

Meet the New Solarpop Digital Team

Introductions are always a little daunting, but we've never been afraid of a challenge. Meet the new meeple behind everything you see online! We're Soné and Keagan, the new digital content and brand managers at Solarpop.

With a combined 15 years of experience, we're excited to take on everything digital you will be feasting your eyes on. With a true passion for these products running through our veins, our aim is to take Solarpop's digital presence to the next level.

Between all the exciting new product launches, we're also gearing up for Comic Con Africa, where around 70,000 fans, cosplayers, artists and gamers all come together to share their passions. That's going to be a big one — and if you see us, say "Hi!" You might end up in some content, but that's the price for being in the right place at the right time.

A Glimpse Into What's Pop'n V40

40 issues of What's Pop'n already? That's worth celebrating. Alongside the 40th edition of the newsletter, we're also celebrating Solarpop's 10th year of bringing happiness home. To mark these milestones, we're giving What's Pop'n a fresh new look for its 40th edition. We can't wait for everyone to see it — but until then, enjoy a sneak peek at what we've been working on:

-- The Solarpop Marketing Team

Solarpop Office & Warehouse Closure | Friday 26 June 2026

Please be advised that Solarpop will be closed on Friday, 26 June 2026. This applies to both our Gauteng and Cape Town offices, as well as our warehouse.

There will be no outgoing shipments or warehouse collections on this day. Please note that all staff will have limited to no connectivity during the closure, so queries and requests received on Friday the 26th will be attended to upon our return.

We will be back to business as usual from Monday, 29 June 2026.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and sincerely thank you for your understanding and continued support.

The organised play calendar is absolutely stacked right now, and if you are a player, a store owner, or someone who has been sitting on the fence about getting involved — this is your sign.

Yu-Gi-Oh! State Championships — Cape Town & Gauteng

The road to the 2026 World Championship runs through South Africa, and it is heating up fast.

The Unplug Yourself State Championships are underway — Cape Town this weekend, Pretoria the weekend after, and Pretoria is already sold out. Between the two events, we're expecting close to 200 players on the floor, with Konami backing the prize pool to the tune of over R298,000. The winner of each event walks away with travel and accommodation to compete at the WCQ Continentals abroad.

Cape Town — this weekend

Pretoria — next weekend (SOLD OUT)

Grab your tickets here:

Cape Town Tickets

Gauteng Tickets

Yu-Gi-Oh! Chaos Origins Prerelease — 27 & 28 June

Hot on the heels of the State Championships, the Chaos Origins Prerelease events run on 27 and 28 June at participating stores. Get your hands on the set before the official release on 3 July. Watch the UY socials for your nearest participating store.

Want to Join the Game Guide Team?

We are growing the Game Guide team and we want passionate, knowledgeable people who love games and love sharing that love with others.

Being a Game Guide means getting paid to do exactly that — teach people about games at conventions, retailer activations, and events across the country. You will be at the front line of some of the biggest moments on the tabletop gaming calendar, and you will be helping build the next generation of players and collectors in South Africa.

What we are looking for: the ability to play and teach trading card games or board games, availability over weekends and public holidays, your own reliable transport, and a responsible, reliable, team-player attitude.

What you get in return: you get paid, you get access to major conventions, early exposure to new products, and a community that genuinely loves what it does.