Meowth Pokémon Card Features a Smart Nod to the Classic Games

A keen-eyed fan of the Pokémon Trading Card Game recently shared an intriguing find with fellow collectors, spotlighting a particular Meowth card from the much-anticipated “Journey Together” expansion. This upcoming set, marked for release under the ongoing Scarlet and Violet series on March 28, 2025, is expected to introduce over 180 fresh cards. Among these, players will find favorites such as N’s Zoroark ex, Iono’s Bellibolt ex, and Lillie’s Clefairy ex, to name just a few from this lineup filled with iconic Trainer’s Pokémon.

In the realm of digital play, Pokémon TCG Pocket, rolled out by Creatures Inc. and DeNA in October 2024, has swiftly carved a niche as a must-have, free-to-play mobile version of the classic card game. In an exciting crossover that taps into nostalgia, the digital platform recently teamed up with McDonald’s to offer promotional Happy Meals. These special meals include a TCG booster pack, a poster, and a sticker sheet, harking back to the days of previous collaborations with the fast-food giant that fans fondly remember.

Over on Reddit, the user Begooderrr made waves by posting a side-by-side comparison of the full-art Meowth card from the Japanese version next to an image of Cerulean City from the original Pokémon Red and Blue games. The sharp-eyed fan observed that, tucked away in the card’s artwork, one could spot a familiar Poké Mart and house from Cerulean City, suggesting Meowth might be enjoying a snooze in a nearby tree—a delightful Easter egg for long-time fans of Game Freak and Nintendo’s classic titles. This isn’t the first time a Meowth card has held intriguing secrets; back in 2021, the Meowth and Inkay cards from the Roaring Skies expansion charmed the community with a storytelling artwork.

The Pokémon fan community was instantly smitten by this charming homage, which stands in striking contrast to a darker Easter egg found on a Shedinja card by another player. One Reddit commenter went further, recalling that Meowth could be encountered lurking around the tall grass just south of Cerulean City, further showcasing the card’s meticulous attention to detail. Another enthusiast chimed in, suggesting that Meowth was depicted resting in the exact tree players must cut down in the classic games.

As for card collectors, they are currently delighting in the riches offered by the Prismatic Evolutions expansion, which hit the shelves on January 17, 2025. However, enthusiasts were faced with a hiccup as GameStop had to impose purchase limits on this set due to supply shortfalls. The good news is The Pokémon Company has assured fans that they are ramping up production to meet the overwhelming demand.

In the world of Pokémon TCG, excitement never wanes, as both physical and digital iterations of the game continue to captivate audiences with their creativity, nostalgia, and the sheer thrill of discovery.