Looking back on the Pokémon TCG expansions of 2025
Posted by Magic Madhouse on 31st Dec 2025
2025 was the end of an age for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and the start of something exciting and new. The Scarlet and Violet series has been running since 2023, ever since the release of the set of the same name. This September, the Pokémon TCG powered up and started the new “Mega Evolution” series focussed on the supercharged mega forms of Pokémon drawn from across the different generations.
2025 was the end of an age for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and the start of something exciting and new. The Scarlet and Violet series has been running since 2023, ever since the release of the set of the same name. This September, the Pokémon TCG powered up and started the new “Mega Evolution” series focussed on the supercharged mega forms of Pokémon drawn from across the different generations.
Let’s take a look back on all of the different Pokemon TCG expansions that released in 2025, as we say goodbye to Paldea, and get ready to transform into a new world of Mega Evolved cards.
January’s Prismatic Evolutions was an expansion all about Eevee, making it easily the most adorable set of the year. Each of the eeveelutions, as well as Eevee itself, received a Tera ex variant, kitting them out with a crystalline crown.
As well as being the Eevee expansion, Prismatic Evolution also contains a selection of reprints of iconic cards from the Scarlet and Violet era. This colourful release got 2025 off to a bright start.
Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge were two of the very first Pokémon TCG expansions, released more than a quarter of a century ago back in the year 2000. They featured Pokémon that were owned by different gym leaders. The March set, Journey Together, returns this classic mechanic to the game, with the Pokémon caught by N, Iono, Lillie, and Hop showing up.
Just like the collection of trainers it draws from, Journey Together is a tour across several different Pokémon regions. There are legendary full art ex Pokémon from all around the world, from Articuno to Volcanion.
The May 2025 set Destined Rivals lets players choose a side, allowing them to join Team Rocket or to work alongside the trainers battling against them. Once again, Pokémon owned by different trainers dominate the set. You can collect the Pokémon of Steven, Marnie, Cynthia, Ethan, Arven, and Misty and, of course, Team Rocket.
Whether you’re a hero or a villain, Destined Rivals allows you to bring together your allies and all of their favourite Pokémon.
In July of 2025, we got two separate sets in one. Black Bolt and White Flare took us to the Unova region to witness the clash between the rival dragons Zekrom and Reshiram.
The sets divide the Pokémon of generation five up between them. Reshiram, the mascot of White Flare, is joined by Jellicent, Bouffalent, Keldeo, and a selection of other ex Pokemon. Meanwhile, in Black Flare, you can find Zekrom alongside a variety of partners including Serperior, Kyurem, and Meloetta.
These two memorable sets demonstrate the power of thunder and fire coming together.
The release of Mega Evolution, in September of 2025, kicked off a whole new era of the Pokémon TCG. True to its name, this expansion returned Mega Evolved Pokémon to the game, after their long absence since the days of Pokémon X and Y. Mega Pokémon come in a variety of forms. From the graceful Mega Gardevoir, to the shadowy Mega Absol, to Mega Camerupt who is literally erupting with anger.
Mega Evolution ramped up the intensity of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and helped it achieve a whole new form.
There’s no other Pokémon out there quite as awe-inspiring as Charizard. In November of 2025, Phantasmal Flames thrust Charizard into the spotlight, building an expansion all about the blue-flamed fury of Mega Charizard X.
Of course, Phantasmal Flames is about more than just fire. Mega Gengar is the phantasm from the set’s title, and packs also contain a selection of other powerful Megas, from Lopunny to Sharpedo.
Even the trainers cards are getting in on the fiery action, like the full art treatment of Firebreather, or the flame spraying Blowtorch card.
Taking the Pokemon TCG into 2026
From Eeveelutions to Mega Evolutions, 2025 was a year of transformation. We journeyed all over the world of Pokémon from Paldea to Unova. We saw Pokémon owned by different trainers return to the game for the first time in many years, and got plenty of colourful new Illustration Rares along the way.
The next set scheduled for release is Ascended Heroes, a new expansion focussed on Mega Dragonite. If you’re looking to soar into the new year prepared and learn all about this upcoming release, have a look at our Ascended Heroes Preview article.
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