PokéTCG Returns Iconic Trainer Cards in 2025

The Pokémon Company International made a significant announcement at the 2024 Pokémon World Championships: the return of beloved mechanics from the original Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) in 2025.

Nostalgia Strikes: Trainer's Pokémon and Team Rocket Cards Return to the TCG

Official Release Date Pending

The highly anticipated comeback includes "Trainer's Pokémon" cards, a staple of the early TCG. A teaser trailer showcased cards featuring Lillie's Clefairy ex, Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex, N's Zoroark ex, and N's Reshiram, signifying a nostalgic return to character-specific Pokémon with unique abilities and artwork.

Further fueling excitement, the trailer hinted at the potential return of Team Rocket, featuring Mewtwo alongside their iconic symbol. This suggests a possible Team Rocket-themed expansion, potentially even bringing back Dark Pokémon, the edgy, Team Rocket-affiliated variants of familiar Pokémon. Rumors of a Japanese retailer listing and a trademark filing for "The Glory of Team Rocket" by The Pokémon Company add weight to these speculations.

Paradise Dragona Set Debuts at World Championships

Beyond the nostalgic returns, the World Championships also unveiled the first cards from the upcoming Paradise Dragona set. PokeBeach reported previews of Latias, Latios, Exeggcute, and Alolan Exeggutor ex. This Japanese Dragon-type focused subset is slated for an English release as part of the Surging Sparks set in November 2024.

The Pokémon TCG continues its exciting updates, with the Kitikami chapter concluding this month with the release of Shrouded Fable, a 99-card set (64 main cards and 35 secret rare cards) as detailed on the official Pokémon TCG blog. While specifics on the Trainer's Pokémon and Team Rocket releases remain under wraps, 2025 promises a significant wave of nostalgic additions for TCG players.