Pokémon TCG News: Destined Rivals Release Chaos & Journey Together Hype

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) world was set ablaze today with the official release of the highly anticipated Destined Rivals expansion. Featuring Team Rocket's return, this set had fans rushing to the Pokémon Center website in record-breaking numbers. Meanwhile, anticipation builds for Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together, launching on March 28, 2025. Let's break down the madness, the best cards, and what this means for collectors!

Destined Rivals Release: Website Crashes & Insane Demand

At exactly 9 AM ET, Destined Rivals went live on Pokémon Center, but within minutes, the site was flooded with over 1 million buyers trying to secure their booster boxes and Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs). Reports of 30-minute virtual queue times and checkout errors spread across online forums, proving that this is one of the most in-demand Pokémon TCG sets of 2025.

🛒 Stock Issues: Many collectors saw "Temporarily Unavailable" messages, with ETBs and booster displays selling out within an hour.
📈 Market Impact: Resellers wasted no time, with sealed ETBs hitting eBay for over $150, nearly double MSRP.
💬 Community Reactions: Social media exploded with frustration and excitement, with many players questioning restock dates and secondary market prices.

🔗 VGC reports on the Pokémon Center queue crisis

Destined Rivals Highlights: The Return of Team Rocket

The set brings back the classic Team Rocket theme, featuring iconic villains and shadowy Pokémon. Some of the most exciting additions include:

🔥 Giovanni's Garchomp ex – One of the most powerful EX cards with disruptive synergy.
🖼 Special Illustration Rare Rocket's Mewtwo ex – Already trending above $200 on pre-release sales.
💎 Gold Hyper Rare Team Rocket's Headquarters – A must-have for collectors.

🚀 Set Breakdown:

• Over 240 cards

• More than 85 Trainer's Pokémon, including 45 Team Rocket Pokémon

• 17 Pokémon ex and 10 Trainer's Pokémon ex

• Over 20 Trainer cards

• 45+ Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations

• 6 hyper rare gold-etched cards

🔗 PokéBeach's full Destined Rivals card list & analysis

Updated Secondary Market Prices: What's Trending?

Collectors and investors are already seeing price fluctuations in the secondary market as sealed product sells out fast. Here are some key price movements:

💰 Destined Rivals Booster Box: MSRP $120 ➔ Now listed between $399.99 and $475 on eBay
🛑 Elite Trainer Box: MSRP $49.99 ➔ Now selling for $100+
🌟 Rocket's Mewtwo ex (Special Illustration Rare): PSA 10 versions are listed as high as $4,500, while PSA 7 copies are selling for around $1,124.99

With limited reprints expected, early buyers are in prime position to profit—or secure a set before prices climb.

🔗 TCGPlayer's latest market price trends
🔗 Check eBay's latest listings on sealed product

Coming Next: Journey Together Launches Friday!

The excitement doesn't stop with Destined Rivals! This Friday, March 28, 2025, Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together officially releases, featuring a brand-new Trainer's Pokémon mechanic and some of the most exciting EX evolutions yet.

🆕 What to Expect:

• Zacian ex (Paul's Edition) and Clefairy (Lylia's Edition) as Trainer's Pokémon.

• New deck-building strategies for competitive play.

• Exclusive Pokémon Center ETB that is already in high demand.

🔗 Pokémon's official Journey Together page

Related: See our last update about leaked expansions, including Journey Together's early reveals! Read here.

Final Thoughts: The Best Week for Pokémon TCG Fans!

Between the chaotic Destined Rivals launch and the highly anticipated Journey Together release, Pokémon TCG fans have a packed week ahead! If you missed out on today's drop, keep an eye on Pokémon Center restocks and local game store allocations.

🔥 Shop sealed product and singles now at Qd’s Cardshop 🔥

Note: Prices and availability are based on March 24, 2025. For the most accurate information, check official Pokémon TCG sources and trusted marketplaces.