Written by Jim Ziegler

It’s been a heck of a year, with ups and downs, with new friends coming into our lives and old ones saying goodbye. We’ve celebrated the Pokemon World Championship in Honolulu and the release of Star Wars: Unlimited and the newest edition of D&D in our own store.

 

New Year’s is a time for looking ahead, though, and there’s plenty to look forward to. All of your favorite trading card games are getting new sets throughout the year, of course, and there are several new video games on the horizon, too!

 

One of the ones I’m most excited for is the Capcom Fighting Collection 2, slated for release in 2025, but without a date announced yet. While the original Capcom Fighting Collection released last year featured the beloved Darkstalkers games, Fighting Collection 2 includes both Power Stone games, first released in 1999 and 2000 on the Sega Dreamcast, and only ever ported to the PSP in 2006.

 

Power Stone is a unique 3D fighter with interactive environments. You can throw chairs, swing from the ceiling, and use walls to launch yourself at your opponent, all while competing to collect three Chaos Emerald-like Power Stones in order to transform into a more powerful ultimate form.

 

And while I’m practically vibrating with excitement at the prospect of introducing one of my all-time favorite games with people, we shouldn’t ignore Nintendo’s bid to be the first thing you think of when you wake up in 2025: dataminers have indicated that Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket has another solo battle event scheduled to start on January 1, 2025. 

 

After the Lapras ex event in November and Venusaur in December, it’s becoming a pattern to start a new Solo Battle event at the beginning of each month, and this January it’s Blastoise, with gorgeous new art.

 

If you don’t know what to do with Blastoise, don’t worry, I’ve already got a guide for you, and you can look forward to my event guide shortly after the event begins at 8:00PM local time.

 

Holiday Hours

December 31, 2024 3pm to 6pm

January 1, 2025 Closed

 

FIRST FRIDAY MARKET

Friday, 5:00 PM

Stop by for Gam3Escape’s First Friday Market, the first one of 2025! TCG vendors include @tcg808marketplace, @shakacardz, @tcghawaii, @tcg808rips, & @porygontrainer. @shaylax.ink will be there with her games and kawaii stickers, and a new vendor, @malahanaipua, that has Sanrio items, keiki goody bags, FUNKO Pops, art and crafts, and games! @HoolaMassageAcademy will be there doing massages! @filedabahiadohavai will be there with Brazilian plates! Plus freeze-dried candy, face painting, and balloon animals!

 

IN THE WORLD OF POKÉMON

Pokémon Standard Constructed Tournament

Sunday, 3:00 PM

Show everyone that you’re the best! Like no one ever was! Join the battle at the weekly Standard Constructed Tournament! Regulation F, no deck list required. Entry fee: $7.

 

Pokémon League Casual Play

Monday and Saturday at 6:30 PM, Sunday at noon

Receive a pack of your choice from any in the store, as well as a promo pack. Participants are entered into the end-of-season prize pool. Entry fee: $10

 

Pokémon GO Scavenger Hunt

Grab an achievement sheet in-store and GO out to collect them! Complete the scavenger sheet to earn a booster pack and a promo pack, and to be entered into a drawing for an Elite Trainer Box and other prizes. Entry fee: $10 

GATHER FOR MAGIC

Friday Night Jumpstart

6:00 PM

Get two Jumpstart packs, shuffle up, and play! Entry fee: $20

 

Casual Commander

Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday at 6:00 PM

The most popular format in Magic, Commander, is back on the table. Bring your favorite deck, or playtest a new one against other magicians. No entry fee: These battles are for honor, not prizes!

TIME TO DUEL! Yu-Gi-Oh!

Advanced Constructed Tournament

Wednesday, Friday, 7:00 PM

Duel for supremacy in the Yu-Gi-Oh Trading Card Game. Earn booster packs and OTS Tournament Packs while demonstrating your skills as a duelist. Entry fee: $10

A WHOLE NEW WORLD

Azurite Sea Lorcana League

Monday, & Saturday, 6:30 PM

The adventures in the Inklands continue with Locana League. Bring your sealed deck, or join the fun! The initial entry fee includes a starter deck of your choice, a booster pack, and a 200-card deck box to keep your sealed cards from getting mixed up with your collection. Entry fee: $25 (one-time charge)

STAR WARS: UNLIMITED

Casual Play League

Tuesdays, 6:00 PM, Saturdays, 1:00 PM, Sundays 5:00 PM

Whether you’re an aspiring Jedi, a sinister Sith, or a bounty hunter looking for your next score, Star Wars: Unlimited has all the excitement of your favorite space opera in cardboard form. 

THIS MEANS WAR(HAMMER)!

Casual Warhammer

Friday & Sunday, 5:00 PM

In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. At Gam3Escape, there is only Warhammer! Whether it’s a Tyranid terror or a Blood Angel battalion, stage your army and prepare for battle at the weekly Casual Warhammer event. 

CARDFIGHT! VANGUARD!

Divinez Constructed Tournament

Monday, 5:30 PM

Bring your cards and get ready to fight! Cardfight! Vanguard is back with weekly tournaments, every Monday night. Entry fee: $6

 

Check out Jim's articles at The Gamer: https://www.thegamer.com/author/james-ziegler/ and like, follow, and subscribe to his Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Alolan_Professor