Most Pokémon-catching legends have something to hide—and in this episode, we uncover the shocking truth about Ash's starter choices, the secret symbolism lurking in the Pokémon cards, and the chaos behind limited-edition drops. Think you've seen the worst? Think again—scalpers, shady shops, and theater-worthy fights over a Prismatic ETB make the Pokémon world look more like the Hunger Games than a friendly game night.This week, we break down the wild ride of Pokémon pre-releases, with queues longer than a Game of Thrones plot, exclusive scalper tactics involving staff discounts, and Japanese boosters priced to make your wallet cry. Plus, we dive into the ongoing disaster of stock allocations, the shocking truth about tech glitches turning games into zombie-like experiences, and the staggering rise of Pokémon on mobile—because who needs a gym when your phone is your new battlefield?You'll discover: why the Pokémon community is as welcoming as a bear hug from a Grizzly, the hilarious (and terrifying) stories of fights in parking lots, and how retailers are turning Pokémon into an adult-only jungle gym with bundles that demand a second mortgage. We also examine the secret society of shop owners hoarding product, the rise of weird side hustles involving lube and billboards, and what the future holds for your favorite characters and cards—and trust us, it’s not pretty.Whether you're a casual collector, a seasoned scalper, or just here for the chaos, this episode is your warning: the Pokémon world is changing faster than a shiny Charmander’s tail flame. Get ready to laugh, cry, and question your entire understanding of the hobby—and remember, the battle for rarity is harder than a level 100 Rayquaza.Guest? We all know the Pokémon community is its own celebrity—full of memes, legends, and the occasional villain. But this week, it’s just us two gearheads, venting like an emotional Charizard, and sharing the secrets behind the madness.Perfect for your next long commute or a pokemon-induced panic attack, this episode holds the truth behind the shiny hype, the scalper scams, and the absolute chaos of modern-day Pokémon collecting. Hit play now—because if you’re not laughing, you’re crying at how deep this rabbit hole goes.

Most Pokémon fans are obsessed with the shiny, the rarity, or the nostalgia — but this episode? It's all about the worst Pokémon that make you think, Really? From ugly design disasters to forgettable evolutions, we’re diving into Gen 9’s most cringe-worthy creations. Spoiler: Some of these will make you say, “Did that really get through testing?”Picture this: a Karen haircut emu or a flamingo missing its head—sounds ridiculous? That’s just scratching the surface. We break down the top five bottom five Pokémon and reveal which are pure cringe and which are secretly hilarious. Plus, we chat about the crazy trade errors, banned episodes, and even the wild world of card shows where thousands are dropping serious cash on THAT one card.You’ll discover why certain Pokémon look like Minecraft rejects, why the trade system still has some hilarious glitches, and which cards are worth more than your whole collection (seriously). Whether you’re a die-hard collector or just here for the laughs, this episode is your guide to the Pokémon that nobody should’ve let slip past design meetings.And as always, we sprinkle in our favorite hits from the show, debate which region is the strongest—Hoenn or Sinnoh—and share our epic card pulls. It’s chaotic, comedic, and surprisingly insightful. Perfect for anyone tired of shiny hype and craving a good laugh at some truly questionable Pokémon design choices.Tune in if you want to feel better about your own collection—or if you just need a reason to mock some designs that honestly look like they were drawn in five minutes on a napkin. Either way, this episode will have you saying, “Now that’s a Pokémon I’ll never forget!”

This episode of the Rocket Rejects Podcast covers a jam-packed week in the Pokémon hobby, dominated by grading industry drama. We dig into ACE's controversial price hikes and longer turnaround times, along with their new membership scheme, and connect it to PSA's near-simultaneous decision to close their lower submission tiers due to a 10-million-card backlog — which we suspect was no coincidence in timing. We also touch on the Pokémon Company's sweeping new event restrictions (no slab sales, no items over $1,000, no Pokémon Centre Japan resales), and take aim at shady newcomer grading companies using cheap materials and dubious associations. The conversation shifts to lighter topics including Pokémon Lego sets (mixed reactions), the 30th anniversary set's confirmed Pikachu-in-every-pack detail, a top-five Normal-type Pokémon countdown (with Meowth and Snorlax as the clear favourites), pack battles, trivia questions, a car boot sale haul, and a spirited debate about whether the Pokémon anime should have had a musical episode — which somehow ends with a pitch for a Team Rocket rock opera.

This episode of the Rocket Rejects podcast sees hosts Millennial and Ripz covering a packed week in the Pokémon world, opening with some sweaty summer banter before diving into the Chaos Rising set drop — discussing availability, shop limits, and their ongoing frustration with greedy over-buyers and scalpers, including an enthusiastic endorsement of Japan's move to require compulsory ID for Pokémon Center pre-orders. They run through the week's news, including the announcement of First Partners Volume 3, upcoming Lego Pokémon sets (highlighted by a stunning Arcanine display piece), and a Pokémon exhibition at the Chicago Fossil Museum. The guys then work through their Steel-type top five lists, before heading into their "Room 101" (greedy over-buyers and Leaf Green's infuriating poison rate) and "Room 202" segments (Ripz hitting 10K followers, the positive community reaction to Chaos Rising, and the joys of Pokémon raids). A solo pack battle yields an exciting Shiny pull, Millennial crowns his pull of the week, and the episode wraps up with five Pokémon trivia questions and a wheel-spun debate ranking Ride Pokémon, Raid Battles, Terastallization, and the Pokéathlon by series impact.

In this episode of The Rocket Rejects Podcast, Ripz and Millennial dive into a lively discussion about the latest happenings in the Pokémon world. They explore topics like the announcement of a Pokémon-themed airport in Japan, the challenges of 3D printing Pokémon collectables, and the ongoing issues with scalpers in the trading card community. The hosts also share their thoughts on the evolution of Pokémon card sets, the impact of grading companies, and the excitement surrounding upcoming releases. With humour and passion, they navigate through their top Pokémon picks and the quirks of the Pokémon fandom.

In this episode of "The Rocket Rejects Podcast," We dive into the world of Pokémon collecting, discussing the latest card releases and the challenges of acquiring rare items. We share insights on the fluctuating market, the excitement of pre-orders, and the joy of community engagement in local Pokémon shops. The episode also touches on the nostalgia of classic Pokémon games and the camaraderie found in the Pokémon community. Our passion for the hobby shines through as we explores both the highs and lows of being a dedicated collector.

We delve into the challenges and frustrations of the Pokémon collecting community, focusing on issues like scalping, the impact of exclusive releases, and the pressures of return on investment (ROI) in collecting. We discuss the cultural phenomenon of Pokémon, the nostalgia it evokes, and the complexities of maintaining a genuine passion amidst commercial pressures. We also touch on the broader implications of these trends on the community and the joy of collecting for personal enjoyment rather than profit.

Most Pokémon communities blame scalpers for ruining the vibe, but the truth is, we're part of the problem too. This episode dives into the pack-pulling madness, revealing how scalpers thrive on our buying addiction. We explore overpriced booster packs, grading companies, and the new Darkrai set. Plus, we announce our own Rocket Rejects Pokémon League, offering a chance to become a community legend. Whether you're a collector or a competitive battler, this episode is packed with insights and opportunities to level up your Pokémon game.