The less said about Prismatic Evolutions, the better. While it offers fantastic artwork and some incredible chase cards, this Pokémon set is unforgiving. A storm of problems meant that the January 2025 expansion left me with a sour taste in my mouth, and I was close to giving up, leaving the hobby until the hype died down. However, Pokémon Journey Together has reignited my love for collecting once again.
Typically, seeing the upcoming Pokémon sets always gets me excited. I find myself eager to see which of the best Pokémon cards from each expansion will end up standing out for collectors and players alike while also picking out my own chase cards for them. However, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I had my worries following Prismatic Evolutions (or Traumatic Evolutions, as I like to call it).
Pain is beauty, and so the special set from early 2025 is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Terrible pull rates were just the icing on the awful, undercooked cake, with The Pokémon Company counting Pokéball and Master Ball versions as hits (what the heck, they aren’t), making for an awful ripping experience. As the newest Pokémon set came and went, I felt like it was more of a set for investors and scalpers, with stock issues and high market prices foremost among the set’s many problems.
My issues were only heightened thanks to an amazing experience with Pokémon’s Terastal Festival expansion – the Japanese version of Prismatic Evolutions. The pull rates were generous, the card quality was high, and at that time, it was much cheaper. As I approached the lead-up to Journey Together, I started to grow wary, and for the past few months, I have been wondering whether to keep my pre-orders.
However, I stayed strong, and I’m glad I did because Journey Together is a breath of fresh air after Prismatic. After getting my hands on a Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box, as well as an Enhanced Booster Box, I’m happy to say that pull rates are pretty good, the Partner’s Pokémon mechanic is exciting, and overall, the vibes for Journey Together are much better than I anticipated.
These have easily been some of the best Pokémon packs of the year, and I’ve had some great pulls already. Hop’s Wooloo #170 is definitely the star of the show for me; it was a surprising pull that made me incredibly happy. Additionally, I was thrilled to see the fantastical Wailord #162’s beautiful art, something I’ve wanted since Japan’s Battle Partners launched. Next to my Illustration Rares and ex cards sits a Caterpie that my daughter loves because “it’s cute” – so it also gets pride of place.
It feels like such a refreshing experience coming after Prismatic (and even Surging Sparks). The vibrant packs hide a collection of gorgeous cards, and even if they don’t reach the Umbreon SIR from Prismatic to become one of the most expensive Pokémon cards in recent years, I don’t care. It felt like the start of a new era for Pokémon, despite being the ninth expansion (excluding the special sets) in the Scarlet & Violet series. I can happily say, it feels like we’re back.
Of course, I still have some lingering concerns. Pokémon Destined Rivals is already selling out within minutes, and while I’m sure The Pokémon Company is happy to see this significant increase in sales, I think the community may start to get fed up – at least, if they’re anything like me. The company will either need to up its printing even further or find a way to ensure that Pokémon Center-exclusive products are available consistently, as opposed to being one drop and it’s gone.
That’s me being pessimistic, perhaps. Fortunately, The Pokémon Company has promised further printing, which is great to see. However, right now, I can say that (if you can get your hands on it), Journey Together is truly excellent. After months of hopelessness, I’m excited for what future expansions will offer, even if the inevitable hype around Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary set scares me.
If you’re keen to get your hands on some Pokémon Journey Together products, I recommend checking the following retailers regularly:
If you’re looking for some of the cutest Pokémon cards, there’s no shortage of them in the Journey Together expansion. Alternatively, if you’re on an adventure to collect every ‘Mon ever, find out the answer to the increasing question of: how many Pokémon cards are there? (Spoiler: There’s a lot.)
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Source: Wargamer
