V45. Let’s get into it.

This issue has some proper headline weight behind it, from the latest Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Wave 2 announcement to Stefan’s look back at the Pokémon World Championships 2026. There is plenty for collectors, players and organised-play fans to unpack, including new product notes, event highlights and the next chapter of the global Pokémon story.

Terry’s Corner keeps the table running with the new Dungeons & Dragons Reference Cards, built for quicker rules checks, cleaner turns and stronger reveal moments during play. Etienne’s Corner then gives the Gamegenic Game Castle a full accessory spotlight, looking at why it has become such a useful storage and travel solution for serious tabletop setups.

We are also moving into a brighter seasonal rhythm with Spring Fling Steals, fresh pre-orders, new arrivals and a Rick and Morty-flavoured Sock Spot to close things off. V45 is a busy little box of portals, pre-orders and play-table upgrades, so settle in and enjoy the ride.

Now Playing: Brick Like This

Howzit everyone! This month’s Top of the Pops clicks into place with Brick Like This, a Pop Punk track about one of my favourite LEGO board games. It has that bright, fast, build-it-before-the-clock-bites energy: chunky guitars, punchy drums and a chorus that feels ready to launch another round across the table.

This one is made to be played while you read through the newsletter, but it will feel even better running in the background while you play Brick Like This. Let it soundtrack the brick grabbing, frantic building, last-second guesses and tiny table victories. Press play, stack the pieces, and enjoy! 🙂

Pre-Orders Expiring

The closing bell is warming up again. These pre-orders are heading toward the finish line, so now is the moment to check quantities, close gaps and make sure the right titles are secured before the window shuts.

New Pre-Orders

The new pre-order shelf is opening with a neat spread of table energy: Tap 4 brings quick-play reactions, Twilight Sword RPG adds fantasy starter-set fuel, and The One Ring RPG – Hobbit Tales returns the storytelling to Middle-earth. There is still room for one more dicey word-game surprise once final details land.

Spring Fling Steals!

Spring is stretching its legs across South Africa, and the deals have come out to play.

Spring Fling Steals brings a fresh seasonal burst of puzzles, family favourites, TCG boosters and table-ready titles to help shake off the last of winter and brighten up the game shelf.

Think brighter shelves, lighter evenings and that first proper “let’s play something” feeling of the new season. From unicorn puzzles and Paw Patrol fun to Pac-Man strategy, monster mayhem, Digimon boosters and Yu-Gi-Oh! pulls, this promo has a little springboard for every kind of table. The selection is below. Go find your next favourite.

Clearance this week leans into city-building, comic-book clashes, sci-fi factions, strategic engines and quick table hooks. It is a useful mix for stores wanting to add value-driven discovery without flattening the shelf story.

New arrivals are bringing a lovely mix of messy creativity, monster-filled reference shelves, premium storage, racing legends, two-player strategy and collector protection. From Doctor Squish slime fun to the Gamegenic Game Castle, this is a shelf refresh with both play value and accessory muscle.

It is also a strong reminder that “new arrival” does not need to mean one kind of customer. This batch can speak to families, RPG players, board gamers, duelists and TCG collectors all at once.

Pokémon World Championship 2026

This past weekend marked the 22nd annual Pokémon World Championships, also known as Worlds. Competitors from across the globe descended on San Francisco to compete across Pokémon formats, from the Trading Card Game to video games, Pokémon GO and Pokémon UNITE.

Why It Matters

Pokémon has become a global cultural phenomenon, and in the year of the 30th Anniversary Celebration, it is exciting to see the fanbase continue to grow across competition, apps, animation, collectibles and in-person event experiences.

New D&D Quick Reference Cards

There’s no denying that Dungeons & Dragons has lots of little details to keep track of. Whether you are a player or a Dungeon Master, we have all had that mid-combat moment where a crucial rule vanishes from the brain like a rogue into dim light.

Wizards of the Coast has released a new set of quick reference cards for spells, monsters and magic items, fully updated for the 2024 edition. These are designed to keep the game moving smoothly and reduce the time spent paging through rulebooks during play.

For me, this is where these cards shine: it is not just rules access, it is table immersion. Handing someone a Belt of Giant Strength or revealing a monster card can turn a rules lookup into a small theatrical moment.