McDonald's Happy Meal Pokémon Toys gave this 90's baby major childhood nostalgia

Before writing this article, I had a prediction that this collaboration would sell out.

And just so you know, I’m all ready for the scalpers (just kidding).

You see, I’m a huge Pokémon fan - some would even say borderline obsessive.

I grew up playing Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow on the Gameboy Advance, all the way to the newest Pokémon Scarlet’s Downloadable Content (DLC) - The Teal Mask on my Nintendo Switch.

I also watched the Pokémon anime in both Japanese and English, and (still) collect Pokémon toys, books and trading cards.

Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG)

Since 2020, there has been a spike in popularity for Pokémon trading cards, with the value of some of the rarest, highest graded cards going up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The popularity of Pokémon trading cards in Singapore is evident by all the empty columns in shops whenever a new set reaches our shores.

While some Singaporeans might collect Pokémon cards for their inherent value, I collect them out of nostalgia and for my own personal happiness.

For example, even if I open a pack and receive a “low” value card, I still feel the same happiness and spike in endorphins as I would in receiving a “high” value card.

After all, there’s just something about Pokémon trading cards that reminds me of childhood.

Despite everything around me changing over the years, my Pokémon card collecting euphoria has largely stayed the same.

Pikachu Happy Meal Box

That’s why I was super ecstatic when I heard that McDonald’s famous Pikachu Happy Meal Box had finally arrived in Singapore in 2023, after its initial release in other countries.

As you can see, what would otherwise be a typical Happy Meal Box is made cuter with Pikachu’s face and ears.

The Happy Meal Toys include Pikachu, Cetitan, and one of the Paldean starters - Fuecoco, Spirigatito, and Quaxly.

Each toy comes with a mini Match Battle Booster pack containing four cards and a flip coin.

There’s also an instructions sheet that teaches you how to play with the flip coin and trading cards.

The Happy Meals are available at all McDonald's outlets except Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic.

There are a total of 10 different sets to collect, with two new sets being introduced every Thursday, 11am from Oct. 26 to Nov. 29, 2023.

There is also a QR code on the box and the cards that will open up to a virtual game featuring Pokémon.

Pokémon Nostalgia

The joy fans feel when they open a pack and get the card they desire is a joy that cannot be replaced.

When I find a boyfriend, get married and have children, I hope to share the joy of Pokémon card collecting with my loved ones.

Until then, I’m going to enjoy this solo and queue up with the rest of Singaporeans tomorrow.

This sponsored article by McDonald’s made this writer want to buy another 10 Happy Meals.

Cover photo courtesy of Rei Chong